DIY Christmas Gnome Shelf Sitter: A Cute & Cozy Holiday Craft Made from Recycled Materials

Follow along with my video tutorial to create this adorable DIY elf! I didn't include step-by-step photos, so this video is the perfect guide to help you make your own.

Hello DIYHubers and creative Hive friends,

I’m glad to join this creative community of DIY enthusiasts! My name is Allyson, and I have a passion for crafting unique, handmade projects with everyday materials. I love discovering new ways to turn simple items into something special, whether it’s upcycled decor or whimsical holiday crafts.

Today, I’m excited to share a step-by-step tutorial on how to make your very own DIY elf shelf sitter. It’s a fun and festive project that’s perfect for the holiday season, using easy-to-find materials to bring a little magic into your space.

I hope you’ll enjoy this project and find some inspiration here. I can’t wait to see what everyone else is making, and I’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas. Let’s get crafting together.

This DIY Christmas Gnome Shelf Sitter is the right festive art project you must try. With his dangling legs and whimsical glitzy hat, this little gnome brings a cozy, playful vibe to any space. Plus, he’s made with simple, recycled materials, so this project is both budget-friendly and eco-conscious. Anyone can do this and could be a nice activity for the whole family. I know that this Christmas gnome will bring joy to your holiday decorating.

Follow this step-by-step guide to create your own gnome shelf-sitter that you can place on a mantel, shelf, or even as a cute holiday table centerpiece.

Materials Needed:

1.) Red, green, and gold fabric (recycled fabric works great)
2.) Fiber fill for stuffing
3.) Hot glue gun and stick
4.) Faux fur for the beard or cotton
5.) Pom-pom or bead for the nose
6.) Gold trim or tinsel for accents
7.) Scissors and needle/thread
8.) Piece of sock
9.) PET bottle
10.) Make up blush

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Create the Sturdy Gnome Base:

• Gather Your Materials: Start with an empty plastic bottle and an old sock (one without a pair works great!).
• Cover the Bottle: Slide the sock over the bottle to give it a soft base layer.
• Add Fabric for Color: Cut a piece of green fabric large enough to wrap around the bottle and sock completely. Wrap it snugly around the bottle, ensuring everything is fully covered.
• Secure with Hot Glue: Use hot glue to hold the fabric in place, gluing any loose ends so the fabric stays nice and tight.

Once you've glued everything down, you now have a sturdy base for your gnome

2: Add Arms and Details

• Prepare the Arms: Cut two short strips of green fabric to make the gnome's arms. The length can vary based on how long you want the arms to be.

• Sew and Stuff: Fold each fabric strip lengthwise and sew along the edge, creating a small tube. Turn it inside out, then stuff each arm lightly to give it some shape.

• Attach the Arms: Use hot glue to attach the arms to the sides of the gnome’s body, positioning them where you'd like them to sit.

• Add Embellishments: For extra flair, glue a bit of gold trim around the cuffs of the arms. If you want an added holiday touch, you can even create tiny mittens to attach at the ends of the arms.

With the arms and details added, your gnome is starting to come to life

3: Create the Gnome's Head, Beard, Nose, and Hat

• Form the Head: The head is the top part of the plastic bottle already covered with the sock from Step 1. This will act as the base for the gnome’s face and features.

• Make the Beard: Cut a triangle shape from faux fur for the beard. Glue this piece just below where the nose will go, letting it drape down the front of the gnome.

• Create the Nose:

  Cut a circle from white fabric and add a small amount of fiber fill in the center.
  Stitch around the edges of the circle, then gently pull the thread to gather the edges, forming a round, medium-sized nose.
  Secure the gathered fabric and hot glue the nose just above the beard.

• Craft the Hat:

  Cut a piece of red fabric into a large triangle.
  Sew along the two sides of the triangle, forming a cone shape, then turn it right side out.
  Stuff the hat lightly with fiber fill to give it some volume, then hot glue it to the top of the gnome’s head.

Now your gnome has a head, beard, nose, and a festive hat

4: Create the Dangling Legs

• Cut the Legs: Cut two long, narrow strips from the red fabric for the legs. The length can vary depending on how long you want them to dangle from the gnome.

• Sew and Stuff the Legs:

  Fold each strip lengthwise and sew along the edges to form a tube.
  Turn the tubes inside out, then stuff them lightly with fiber fill for a soft, flexible look.

• Attach the Legs: Use hot glue to secure the legs to the base of the gnome's body, making sure they dangle freely.

• Add Festive Trim: For a holiday touch, wrap a little gold trim around the ends of the legs as "boots."

With the legs attached, your gnome is almost complete and ready to display

Final Touches

1. Adjust the Limbs: Position the arms and legs so they dangle naturally, giving your gnome a relaxed look when displayed on a shelf.

2. Add Blush to Cheeks: For a bit of personality, dab a small amount of blush or makeup onto the cheeks.

3. Attach Decorative Buttons: Hot glue some cute buttons along the front of the gnome for added charm.

4. Trim the Boots: Wrap gold trim around the “boots” at the ends of the legs for a festive touch.

5. Decorate the Hat:
   Add a small piece of gold tinsel to the top of the red hat as a whimsical accent.
   Glue a strip of gold ribbon around the bottom edge of the hat.
   Attach a small decorative snowflake to the front of the hat for a wintery look.

6. Finish with a Base Ribbon: Wrap and glue a gold ribbon around the base of the gnome (where the legs are attached) to give it a clean, seamless look.

Your gnome is now complete, with all the details in place! Find a cozy spot to display it, and enjoy your festive creation.

Why This Craft is Perfect for the Holidays: This DIY Christmas gnome not only adds charm to your home but also serves as a unique, handmade touch for the season. Making your own decorations brings a sense of warmth and personality to your space, making the holidays feel even more special. Plus, using recycled materials makes this a thoughtful, eco-friendly project

With just a few simple materials and a little creativity, you’ve got yourself an adorable Christmas gnome shelf sitter. It’s a fun and easy project that brings joy to holiday decorating! If you make your own, don’t forget to share your creations and tag us so we can see your amazing gnome friends.

lovelotz,
Ally