Easy Upcycled DIY Denim & Cardboard House Christmas Ornaments

If you’re looking for a simple, inexpensive craft that turns old jeans and cardboard into charming house ornaments, you’ve found it! This project is perfect for older kids, or get a group of friends together for a craft night. It uses materials you probably already have on hand, or you could ask friends to bring their own scissors and maybe an old pair of jeans they don’t mind sharing!

I’m joining a few creative friends to share creative DIY ornament ideas. I’ve had the idea of making denim houses for a while and have been saving old pairs of jeans…just in case. Today seemed like the perfect time to share it. I will have links to their posts at the end!

 I used all denim, but any fabric scraps would work to make these house ornaments. You can get really creative and use a variety of fabrics, from textured solids to plaids, stripes, velvets, and more.

Once you get started, it’s really fun to get creative using the buttons, trim, seams, and different colors of denim mixed with corrugated and flat cardboard, all upcycled materials held together with a bit of glue — naturally, since I don’t sew. But that is what makes this a fun craft with kids! 

Materials needed to make denim house ornaments

• Upcycled denim scraps
• Corrugated cardboard (from packaging/shipping boxes)
• Flat cardboard (from cereal boxes or other boxes)
• Craft glue or hot glue (if adults are helping)
• Scissors
• Marker or pencil
• Twine, ribbon, buttons (optional embellishments)

How to make them

Cover a work surface, make sure to have a pair of scissors for everyone, as well as some glue. Anytime you work with textiles, it can be a little messy. If you cover your work surface with a large piece of paper, you can then scoop it up and toss it. (Make sure to find all the scissors and other items you don’t intend to toss!)

1. Draw a simple outline of a house onto flat cardboard. (Patterns available below)
2. Cut out the house shape, roof, and chimney.
3. Cut denim pieces, corrugated, and flat cardboard to fit the house.
   • Leave a little denim overhang to wrap around edges.
4. Glue denim to cardboard
   • Use glue to secure the denim to the front and wrap the edges to the back.
5. Add a backing (optional)
   • Glue flat cardboard to the back to conceal the denim edges and achieve a clean finish. I chose not to do this as the ornaments will hang on the tree, and the back will not show.
6. Decorate
   • Use denim scraps, buttons, seams, and cardboard to create doors, windows, and a chimney.
7. Add a hanger
   • Glue twine or ribbon to the back in the center so it can hang on the tree or a garland.

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