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Sewing fabric stars | Folded stars for Christmas

29.10.2018 by Sabine Schmidt

Sterne aus Stoff nähen | Faltsterne für Weihnachten

Sew fabric stars. A lovely idea for atmospheric Advent and Christmas decorations. With my tutorial, even beginners can easily make these Scandinavian folded stars for Christmas themselves.

The most important things at a glance

  • The folded stars are also great for beginners
  • These subtle fabric Froebel stars are a wonderful sewing idea for the dark season
  • You can also easily sew the Froebel stars from fabric scraps
  • In this post, you will find an illustrated step-by-step tutorial and a video tutorial for sewing the folded stars
  • Here you can find even more ideas on the topic of Sewing for Christmas!

The most beautiful decorations are self-sewn

Why is that?

Because you can determine exactly the colors, sizes, and materials that suit your home.

This, of course, also applies to self-sewn Christmas decorations. For example, for my great Advent calendar and the elegant Advent wreath made of felt balls.

By the way, I also recently sewed beautiful star-shaped placemats. Naturally, again with a free pattern and detailed sewing instructions.

Sew fabric stars

Sewing idea: Sew fabric stars yourself

A wonderful sewing idea for the dark season are subtle fabric Froebel stars. You can also easily sew them from fabric scraps.

I love the combination of chambray* with classic red plaid fabric* because it is so festive!

Sew fabric stars

You can also check out Christmas fabrics* at Hemmers - they can be combined wonderfully with each other!

Video tutorial: Folding Froebel stars

Cutting many layers of fabric: My scissors

For this sewing project, I tried out my new scissors*. They were warmly recommended to me by blog reader Coco. At first, I was a bit hesitant because I love my Zwilling scissors so much.

However, because Coco recommended them to me so strongly, I went ahead and ordered the scissors and am truly thrilled. The good piece comes from the Finnish company Fiskars.

My husband says they also make great gardening tools. He recently bought a pair of Fiskars pruning shears at the hardware store (and immediately mangled his thumb a little bit while trimming blackberries).

Anyway: The Fiskars scissors are said to be especially good at cutting through multiple layers. So the legend says. I tested it thoroughly and have to say: It's true!

The scissors are sharp, have a precise cut, sit well in the hand, and are easy to grip even for small hands. At around 20 euros, I think they are a real bargain. Now I'm happy to have these beautiful scissors ready to use! :)

Thank you for the great tip, dear Coco! :)

*

I also reveal which basic accessories I recommend for sewing, which scissors I prefer to use, what you can do wrong with a rotary cutter, and much more here on the blog.

Sew fabric stars

What you need for the folded fabric stars

Images: This is what it looks like in the end

Sew fabric stars
Sew fabric stars
Sew fabric stars
Sew fabric stars

When everything was finished, I went for a lovely walk through our autumnal avenue in Wotersen.

Sew fabric stars
Sew fabric stars
Sew fabric stars
Sew fabric stars
Sew fabric stars

Do you like my Scandinavian fabric stars? By the way, you can also make them as 3D stars, i.e., as actual Froebel stars out of fabric.

Sewing video: Sewing and making Froebel stars out of fabric

Then quickly gather a few nice fabric scraps and get started! :)

Happy simple sewing,

your Sabine

P. S.: Would you like to sew even more ornaments for the Christmas tree?

Sew fabric stars

Frequently asked questions

Is there also a video tutorial for the fabric Froebel stars?

Yes, there is. In addition to the illustrated step-by-step tutorial, you will find a video tutorial in this post.

How big are the fabric strips for the Froebel stars?

You need 4 fabric strips per star, each measuring 8 x 50 cm.

Can the finished fabric stars also be hung up?

Yes, you can pull a pretty thread through the finished star and hang it on the Christmas tree or in the window, or even use it to decorate your Christmas gifts.

Links marked with * are affiliate links: If you make a purchase through them, we receive a small commission. The price remains the same for you.

Step-by-step instructions

Sew folded fabric stars

Make your own folded stars (Froebel stars) from fabric — a lovely sewing idea for Advent and Christmas. Suitable for beginners, ideal for fabric scraps.

  1. Step

    Prepare the fabric

    Treat your chosen fabrics well with spray starch first.

    Prepare the fabric
  2. Step

    Cut the fabric strips

    For each star, cut four fabric strips measuring 8 x 50 cm. It's better to cut the strips a little longer: some waste is normal, but this way they are easier to work with.

    Cut the fabric strips
  3. Step

    Press the strips

    Press the strips flat.

    Press the strips
  4. Step

    Fold the strips lengthwise

    Fold the fabric lengthwise to the centre and press it.

    Fold the strips lengthwise
  5. Step

    Fold the long sides to the centre

    Fold the long sides to the centre and press them.

    Fold the long sides to the centre
  6. Step

    Fold a second time

    Fold both long sides to the centre a second time and press again.

    Fold a second time
  7. Step

    Topstitch the long sides

    Edgestitch the long sides using a neutral sewing thread and a stitch length of 3.5.

    Topstitch the long sides
  8. Step

    Cut the ends diagonally

    Fold the two ends towards each other and cut them off diagonally. This makes them easier to work with later. Prepare four fabric strips.

    Cut the ends diagonally
  9. Step

    Loop the strips together

    Fold all four strips so that the short ends lie on top of each other. Place the first strip in front of you and slide the second strip through the loop of the first.

    Loop the strips together
  10. Step

    Add the third strip

    Place the third strip (red) around the first strip (cream). The first strip lies between the two legs of the red strip.

    Add the third strip
  11. Step

    Weave in the fourth strip

    Place the fourth strip (black) over the third (red). Slide the ends of the fourth strip through the loop that has formed.

    Weave in the fourth strip
  12. Step

    Tighten the base

    Pull the strips towards each other until a firm base has formed. Press the centre to stabilise it. This lays the foundation for your folded star.

    Tighten the base
  13. Step

    Fold the strips over each other

    Fold the strips over each other as shown in the pictures. Press the edges firmly with your fingers after each fold.

    Fold the strips over each other
  14. Step

    Slide the fourth strip through

    Slide the fourth fabric strip through the loop that the first strip now forms. Tweezers can help here. Pull the strips tight and press them. Your fabric star now has a stable base.

    Slide the fourth strip through
  15. Step

    Fold the first point

    Fold the top side first. Each point is folded where a crosswise seam meets a lengthwise seam. Fold the first fabric strip to the right.

    Fold the first point
  16. Step

    Fold the strip back parallel

    Fold the strip down so that it lies parallel to itself. Leave a gap of 1–2 millimetres so the point takes a nice shape.

    Fold the strip back parallel
  17. Step

    Fold the point together

    Then fold the point together. If you like, you can dab a little fabric glue into the middle of the point to hold it in place, but you don't have to.

    Fold the point together
  18. Step

    Tilt the point backwards

    Tilt the point back a little; this makes it easier to slide the strip into the loop.

    Tilt the point backwards
  19. Step

    Pull the strip through

    Slide the strip into the loop and pull it all the way through, and then another 1–2 millimetres further.

    Pull the strip through
  20. Step

    Trim the fabric strip

    Once the seam of the point is no longer visible, you can cut off the fabric strip at the bottom. Pull the point out again a little, and the cut fabric edge will be hidden.

    Trim the fabric strip
  21. Step

    Remaining points & back

    Repeat this step for all points with a crosswise seam. Then turn the star over and fold the points on the other side in the same way.

    Remaining points & back
  22. Step

    Add a hanging loop

    Optional: Add a fine hanging loop if you want to hang the star on fir branches or on the Christmas tree. I use a subtle metallic thread for this, e.g. from Madeira.

    Add a hanging loop

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About the author

Sabine

I come from Siegen-Wittgenstein, where I spent my childhood breaking in cows, jumping off haystacks and scraping a D- in needlework class.

Today, being creative feels like indescribable happiness to me – and it grows even more when I can share it with others. Since 2016 I have been celebrating my passion for sewing on this blog, and I love that sewing connects so many people.