12 Weeks of Christmas Ornaments Challenge 2024 Week 1: The Basic Star Pattern

By Staci Ann Lowry | September 29, 2024 |

Ready to start the ornament challenge? Me too!

Each year, we've had hundreds of people participating in this challenge. And....

... when I sent out the Frequently Asked Questions email a couple weeks ago and asked who was doing the Challenge (which I do every year)....

we had hundreds more replying they were doing the Challenge.

I'm so excited to see your ornaments this year. It's easy to put off making these sometimes, but this Challenge really seems to inspire people to get going on them, and it always makes you - and ME - so motivated!

As always, we're starting with the easy one: The Basic Star Pattern!

We're starting with this pattern because it's nice and easy. And also, it's awesome. ;)

This is the one that's based on the old-fashioned ‘Quilted Star’ technique that has been around forever and ever. Over the years, I changed it up a tad and put my own little spin on the techniques I use to make it. I started calling it the 'Basic Star' because once you master this one, our other patterns will seem so much easier.

And guess what? If you're new to this, you can learn how to make them, for free (yes, FREE). I have a 3-part video workshop, teaching this pattern step-by-step. I'll lead you through it all.... what you need, what to do, and how to finish it. Click RIGHT HERE for the videos.

I'm using the same fabrics as I did last year so I can build my matching collection, but since we do the Basic Star for Week One every year, my picture is from last year. I made a 3-layer version (and widened the space between them), but make sure you scroll all the way down to see the different versions the rest of the OG Team made. (The Basic Star can be made in SO many ways, and  wait til you see Tanya's Jack O'Lantern version).

You can do them with a different number of layers (use 3, or 5! Or...)

You can also vary this pattern up by simply widening layers, or bringing them closer together.

TIP: Make a layer wider if you've got a fabric with a larger print on it.. so more of that print will show.

That's what I LOVE about this pattern – just change the order of fabrics, or the width between layers, or one of a zillion other details... and you will be able to create totally different looks.

And don't forget to have fun with your embellishments!

Here is Olivia's Basic Star. She did 3 layers also:

Your turn!

Your challenge is.... to make your own Basic Star Ornament using your 3 chosen fabrics.... you can arrange your fabrics like we have, or better yet, mix it up!

Remember, if you don't know how to make the Basic Star, you can learn it for free right HERE.

Then, show me what you've got by posting it on Instagram using the hashtag #OrnamentGirlsChallenge so we can all see it!

(And, if you're an Ornament Girls Club Member, please post it in our private FB group!)

I'll see ya in a week, with Challenge Pattern #2.

Happy Ornament-ing!

Staci Ann

p.s. If you bought your foam ahead of time-based on the Supply List I gave you, this week uses an 8-Lined Ball. But, don't worry if you don't have a pre-lined ball... this one can either be done without lines, or you can draw your own.)

p.p.s. Here are some of the OG Team's Week #1 ornaments (Darlene and Tanya are both doing TWO sets this year).

Darlene's beautiful pink & gold Christmas Basic Star, and another one in red, white, & blue (both with 4 layers):

Tanya's elegant red & black Basic Star, with 5 layers (keep scrolling to see her Jack O'Lantern):

Kennedy's adorable vintage rose-themed Basic Star (with 4 layers):

Elizabeth's elegant red and gold Basic Star (with 4 layers):

Tammie's beautiful pink and blue floral Basic Star (with 3 layers):

My traditional/slightly vintage vibe Basic Star (with 3 layers):

And, Tanya's two Halloween Basic Stars, including her adorable Jack O'Lantern...

Here's what she did with her layers to make this guy;

Layer 1: (4) Basic Triangles in Orange.

Layer 2: (3) Orange & (5) Black Basic Triangles placed at 1/2” down from the center.

Layer 3: (5) Orange & (3) Black Basic Triangles placed at 1/8” down from the previous Layer, EXCEPT at the eyes, which are 1/2” down.

Layer 4: (8) Orange Basic Triangles placed at 1/8” down from the previous Layer, EXCEPT at the sides of the mouth, which are 1/2” down.

Let us know below in the comments if you'd like to see a video tutorial for this!

And this guy is from last year, but....

I wanted to show you again because it's another really creative way you can change up your Basic Star. Tanya made him last year for her challenge (she's an overachiever, right?) by giving him some wings, eyes, and fangs, and we even did a how-to video. You can find that RIGHT HERE.

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About Staci Ann Lowry

41 Comments

  1. Anonymous on September 30, 2024 at 9:21 am

    I would love to see the Jack o lantern tutorial!

    Reply
    • Anonymous on September 30, 2024 at 11:04 am

      I would love to see a video for the Jack o lantern

      Reply
      • Kim on September 30, 2024 at 1:17 pm

        The Jack o lantern is so cute! I’d live the tutorial!

        Reply
  2. Sandra Paananen on September 30, 2024 at 9:28 am

    WOW! They are all so beautiful and creative. Thank you for showing all the different ways to do the basic star ornament. I’m super excited to do this year’s challenge.

    Reply
  3. Jo Anne on September 30, 2024 at 9:30 am

    I would also love to see the video tutorial for the Jack o lantern.
    And if using 3 different colors for the Basic Star we must be using different quantities of the different colors, correct?

    Reply
    • Marlene Fisher Ford on September 30, 2024 at 9:47 am

      I would love to see the Jack o Lantern video, it’s adorable.
      I love all the amazing ornaments and designs.
      Thank you

      Reply
    • Sarah Cinocco on September 30, 2024 at 3:42 pm

      Hi Jo Ann, yes, the amount of fabric you will need for a 3 color basic star is going to be a little different. You would uses 8 of color one, and then 16 of colors two and three. You’ll also need to adjust your spacing between your layers. I hope that helps!

      Reply
  4. Diane R on September 30, 2024 at 9:30 am

    A video for the jack-o-lantern would be great! Time to cut some fabrics and make my Halloween/fall version of this year’s ornaments. Thanks for sharing so much inspiration.

    Reply
  5. Susie on September 30, 2024 at 9:50 am

    OMGosh, I love, love, love the jack o lantern one. Halloween is my favorite time of year.
    Tutorial please, please, please

    Reply
  6. Linda B on September 30, 2024 at 10:09 am

    A tutorial would be awesome! Thank you so much!

    Reply
  7. Elaine Skeen on September 30, 2024 at 10:11 am

    Jack o lantern is so amazing. Yes I’d like to see a tutorial. Have enjoyed looking at all this creativity

    Reply
  8. Marlene Fisher Ford on September 30, 2024 at 10:13 am

    I’d love the video of the Jack o Lantern
    Thank you for all the work you girls do

    Reply
  9. Robin Ownby on September 30, 2024 at 10:16 am

    Yes, please make the video for the Jack O Lantern. It would go great with my other one.

    Reply
    • Karen on October 1, 2024 at 11:14 am

      Hi – what is the orange fabric that Tanya used on the Jack O Lantern?

      Reply
  10. Elisabete Oliveira on September 30, 2024 at 10:17 am

    Hello hope you all are fine.
    I do not have instagram
    Is there any other way to share my ornaments with you?
    If I decide go through the challenge?
    Thanks
    Elisabete

    Reply
    • Sarah Cinocco on September 30, 2024 at 3:43 pm

      Hi Elisabete, you don’t need to have an Instagram to participate in the challenge. If you would like to share your ornaments with us, you can email pictures to staciann@theornamentgirl.com. Happy Ornament-ing!

      Reply
  11. Karen Gutierrez on September 30, 2024 at 10:20 am

    Tanya – your pumpkin from the star is too cute! Yes, please for a video!

    Reply
  12. Laura on September 30, 2024 at 10:42 am

    The Jack O’Lantern is awesome. I definately need a video!

    Reply
  13. Kelly White on September 30, 2024 at 10:56 am

    I love the jack o lantern and would love to have a tutorial for it. Thanks

    Reply
  14. Charlene on September 30, 2024 at 11:14 am

    If doing a 3 layer what is the spacing between the layers?

    Reply
    • Sarah Cinocco on September 30, 2024 at 3:44 pm

      Hi Charlene, you can do about 1/2″ between each of the layers for a 3 color Basic Star. I hope that helps get you started!

      Reply
  15. Nanci E Beattie on September 30, 2024 at 11:17 am

    They are all so beautiful!!

    Reply
  16. Sheila Burbage on September 30, 2024 at 11:24 am

    I would lovr a video for the Jack O Latern

    Reply
  17. Kathryn Stotts on September 30, 2024 at 11:24 am

    Thank you for the extra jackolantern pattern. I love seeing what the staff does.

    Reply
  18. Susan Rowley on September 30, 2024 at 12:04 pm

    The Jack O Lantern is adorable! A video would be amazing!

    Reply
  19. Cheryl Murray on September 30, 2024 at 1:29 pm

    Love to see all of them!! Never have too many ornaments!!!

    Reply
  20. Les Méndez on September 30, 2024 at 1:52 pm

    Yes I would like to see a tutorial for the Jack O Lantern. It’s beautiful.

    Reply
  21. Renee Lassus on September 30, 2024 at 2:05 pm

    Would love to see a how to video of the jack-o-lantern. ?

    Reply
  22. Janette on September 30, 2024 at 2:07 pm

    I love the Jack O Lantern. I would love a video please.

    Reply
  23. Frankie Barrowcliff on September 30, 2024 at 2:09 pm

    Would love to see video on jack o lantern ornament.
    So cute!

    Reply
  24. Frankie Barrowcliff on September 30, 2024 at 2:13 pm

    Yes please make video for jack o lantern ornament.
    So cute!

    Reply
  25. Tammy on September 30, 2024 at 2:26 pm

    Gorgeous as always. I would love a Jack-o-lantern video.

    Reply
  26. Josie D on September 30, 2024 at 5:38 pm

    They are beautiful! I love seeing all the different fabrics. The Jack o Lantern is adorable! A video would be great!

    Reply
  27. Jennifer H on September 30, 2024 at 10:28 pm

    Yes, please.

    Reply
  28. Ramona on October 1, 2024 at 12:20 am

    Yes please. would love a video of how to make the Jack o lantern.

    Reply
  29. Elsie Letourneau on October 1, 2024 at 10:23 am

    Love all these ornaments. Would love to see the video ofJackO Lantern. Thanks.

    Reply
  30. Sheila Henson on October 1, 2024 at 12:00 pm

    I just love this group and this challenge. I have 2 questions first of all while this challenge is going on, will we still receive daily ornaments I just wanted to ask because I always worry they I didn’t receive mine. The second question is to ask if you can check and make sure I am still on the daily challenge list since I worry I delete my account since I did that another time and yesterday I put this weekly challenge in spam don’t ask me why, I got it out but I worry that affected my daily emails. Thank you

    Reply
    • Sarah Cinocco on October 2, 2024 at 1:30 pm

      Hi Sheila,
      Thanks so much for reaching out! During the challenge, the Inspire emails won’t come on Mondays, but every other day you will get them. I did check on our account and I can see you’re still signed up for the Inspire emails so you should have received one today. Let me know if there is anything else we can do for you!

      Reply
  31. Karen G on October 1, 2024 at 9:46 pm

    Hi – what is the orange fabric that Tanya used on the Jack O Lantern?

    Reply
    • Sarah Cinocco on October 2, 2024 at 1:27 pm

      Hi Karen, the orange fabric is Timeless Treasures Fabrics of Soho, Studio-C 3096

      Reply
  32. Jenny Naylor on October 3, 2024 at 3:03 pm

    All of these are adorable!
    Jack o lantern is awesome!

    Reply

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