Make an ugly holiday sweater
Decorate a plain sweater to make a festive ugly holiday sweater using fabric paint, felt shapes, pom-poms, and safe fabric glue while practicing creativity.
About this activity
Decorate a plain sweater to make a festive ugly holiday sweater using fabric paint, felt shapes, pom-poms, and safe fabric glue while practicing creativity.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Lay your plain sweater flat on a table so the front is smooth and easy to reach.
- 2
Step 2
Slide a piece of cardboard inside the sweater to stop paint and glue from soaking through.
- 3
Step 3
Use paper and pencil to draw a simple ugly sweater design idea to follow.
- 4
Step 4
Arrange felt shapes and pom-poms on the sweater without gluing to test different layouts.
- 5
Step 5
Use fabric paint and a brush to paint big background shapes or patterns on the sweater.
- 6
Step 6
Wait until the fabric paint is dry to the touch (about 20 to 30 minutes).
- 7
Step 7
Cut stars trees or other fun shapes from the felt sheets using scissors.
- 8
Step 8
Put a small dot of safe fabric glue on the back of a felt shape.
- 9
Step 9
Press the felt shape onto the sweater and hold it for 10 seconds to stick.
- 10
Step 10
Put a small dot of safe fabric glue on a pom-pom.
- 11
Step 11
Press each pom-pom onto the sweater and hold it for 10 seconds to attach.
- 12
Step 12
Add tiny painted details like dots or string lights with fabric paint for extra sparkle.
- 13
Step 13
Let the sweater dry flat for at least 4 hours or overnight so paint and glue set.
- 14
Step 14
Share your finished ugly holiday sweater on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do I make an ugly holiday sweater with my child?
Start by washing and drying a plain sweater so glue and paint adhere well. Insert cardboard to protect the back, sketch a simple design with a washable marker, then arrange felt shapes and pom-poms before gluing. Use fabric paint for details and let layers dry between steps. For durability, sew heavy decorations or heat-set paint per instructions. Allow the sweater to cure fully (usually 24 hours) before wearing.
What materials do I need to make an ugly holiday sweater?
Gather a plain sweater, non-toxic fabric paint, felt sheets or pre-cut shapes, pom-poms, and child-safe fabric glue. Add fabric markers, small brushes or sponges, scissors, and a piece of cardboard to insert inside the sweater. Optional extras: sequins, ribbon, bells, hot glue or a needle and thread for stronger attachments (adult use only), and a press cloth if heat-setting paint.
What ages is this ugly holiday sweater activity suitable for?
This craft is great for ages 4–12 with adult supervision. Preschoolers (3–4) can participate with large felt shapes and stickers while a grown-up handles glue and scissors. Older kids and teens can design more detailed layouts, use fabric paint techniques, and sew decorations with supervision. Adjust complexity and tools to match each child’s fine-motor skills and attention span.
What safety tips should I follow when kids decorate sweaters?
Use non-toxic, washable fabric supplies and supervise scissors, hot glue, or ironing for heat-setting. Avoid small pom-poms or loose embellishments for children under 3 to prevent choking. Insert cardboard to prevent paint bleed and work in a well-ventilated area. Test glue and paint on a scrap first, secure heavy pieces by sewing rather than gluing when possible, and ensure all items are fully dry before the child wears the sweater.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use if we don't have fabric paint, fabric glue, felt, or pom-poms?
Use acrylic paint mixed with a textile medium or washable puffy paint instead of fabric paint, washable craft glue or a low‑heat hot glue gun with adult supervision for fabric glue, and substitute construction paper, fleece scraps, or stickers for felt and buttons or cotton balls for pom-poms.
My glue or pom-poms keep falling off—what should I check?
Make sure you slid a piece of cardboard inside the sweater (step 2) to keep moisture out, put a small dot of safe fabric glue on each felt shape and pom‑pom and press and hold for 10 seconds as instructed (steps 9–11), then let the sweater dry flat for at least 4 hours or overnight so the glue can set (step 13).
How can I adapt this activity for different age groups?
For toddlers use pre‑cut felt shapes, jumbo pom‑poms and washable fabric markers with adult help arranging and gluing (steps 4, 9–11), elementary kids can draw their own design and cut simple shapes with safety scissors (steps 3 and 7), and teens can add intricate painted details or hand‑sew embellishments (steps 5 and 12).
How can we make the sweater more special or longer lasting?
Personalize and reinforce the design by sewing on sequins, buttons or extra felt layers instead of only gluing, add tiny painted details with fabric paint for sparkle (step 12), and consider a clear fabric sealant over painted areas after drying before sharing on DIY.org (steps 13 and 14).