Get ready for your holiday gathering by preparing your ugly Christmas sweater. Use this tutorial to learn how to make a DIY deer ugly Christmas sweater that will win the annual contest!
The ugly sweater tradition at the holidays is one of my favorites. It’s so much fun to let loose and not worry about looking fashionable and getting silly.
An ugly sweater party is one of the best new trends of the holiday season, in my opinion. People everywhere throw parties with the main focus being to wear the ugliest holiday sweater you can (and there’s usually a contest!). The loudest, gaudiest, most outrageous sweater wins!
If you are invited to an ugly sweater Christmas party, you will want to be sure to make this ugly Christmas sweater or another one that is equally outrageous!
One year I made a Rudolph ugly Christmas sweater. This year, I’m going for something a little different. It’s still deer-themed, but this design takes that theme in a different direction. It’s a classic black-and-white color scheme. You can’t go wrong when wearing this DIY ugly Christmas sweater because you’ll definitely stand out among all the other red and green sweaters.
Note: If you want even more Christmas clothing inspiration, check out our Christmas Sweater With Lights or DIY Newborn Christmas Onesie. And you’d definitely want to take a few of these Ugly Sweater Party Cookies with you to the party.
How To Make An Ugly Christmas Sweater
I’m so excited to share this tutorial with you! It’s easy enough for anyone to make so that everyone can have a great holiday sweater.
Supplies Needed
Here’s what you’ll need for this craft. I’ve even included a few handy links to help you find some items faster and more easily.
- Sweater (any old sweater you have will work)
- Glitter Deer Head
- Embroidery Hoop
- Large White Chenille Stem
- Hot Glue and Glue Gun
DIY Ugly Christmas Sweater Instructions
You can make this project in minutes with the step-by-step tutorial below.
Step 1
Separate the embroidery hoop and only use the inside portion. Wrap with the chenille stem until it is nice and full. This makes a great mini wreath for your deer head.
Note: The chenille stems have wire inside of them, so you don’t need to glue them in place.
Step 2
Add a piece of cardboard inside your sweater so you will be sure not to glue the front of the sweater to the back of it.
Step 3
Then use hot glue to add on your deer head with the “wreath” in place as shown. I glued the neck to the sweater first.
Step 4
You will also have to glue the antlers to the sweater to keep the deer head from sagging when you are wearing this eye-catching sweater.
That is it! Your ugly Christmas sweater is complete! You, too, can make this ugly Christmas sweater in minutes and be the hit of the party.
FAQs
Here are a couple of questions that I see readers ask about making their own DIY holiday sweaters. If you have a question, please check to see if I’ve already answered it below. Don’t see your question? Leave it for me in the comments!
How can I change the color scheme?
I went with black and white because I had a black sweater to use for this project. If you plan to use a different-colored sweater, feel free to stick with white for the hoop and deer, or you can play around with different colors.
When changing the color scheme, use different colored chenille stems. Also, you could paint the deer head with spray paint in the color of your choice.
Do the deer and antler stick out from this ugly Christmas sweater?
Yes, it’s a 3D sweater which is part of what makes this design so special and eye-catching! The antlers don’t stick out far at all, and since they’re glued to the sweater, they won’t fall forward when you move.
If you would prefer to avoid having a design that sticks out, you can find deer head images that are 2d (or flat). Note: Using something like that instead of what I used will create a sweater with a completely different look.
If you are invited to an ugly sweater party, be sure to give making your own sweater a try. You will love the results (and possibly even win the contest!).
Fun Tip: If you’re hosting a party yourself, make sure to print our ugly sweater party printables!
More Holiday Crafting Inspiration
Do you love this DIY ugly Christmas sweater project and want more quick and easy holiday craft ideas? Check out these links!
Cute idea! I’m going to an ugly sweater party next weekend and haven’t gotten to scour the thrift stores yet. Making my own is a very good option! Visiting from Made By You Mondays.
that’s funny!
b
Ha ha ha! That’s one ugly sweater. I love this occasion to wear anything ugly. You don’t have to worry about fashion. Still, your sweater is fashionable!
oh my gosh, that is great!
HAHA…I love this!
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Angie, this post inspired me to make my own ugly Christmas sweater. The student council in the school where I teach decided that the faculty should come to school next Tuesday wearing ugly sweaters and the kids will judge which is the ugliest. I gave away my crazy holiday sweaters years ago and refuse to pay $20 in the store. So I went to Dollar Tree, bought two Christmas stockings that I will dissect and make into appliques for an old red sweater I own. Thanks! If I hadn’t seen the post, I don’t think this inspiration would have come!
BTW… I am hosting a one-time-only party Sun Dec 18 for crafts and holiday decor…please stop by!
Sinea♥
Yay! So glad you were inspired!
How could anybody not be inspired Angie with these too funny, too ugly version of Christmas sweaters? I was cracking up and Mr.Furry also when I showed him what you’d made. Your green sweater is really nice tho, can still see sweater behind decorations. Looks warm and cozy and pretty, good color on you.
Will ask daughter if they get invited to ugly sweater party if she’d like me to make them couple of these. These are hilarious, good job.
Happy daze
Hi! Love this ugly sweater but where do I find that deer?
This has been several years ago and I am not sure if they make them any more. Maybe try searching around Amazon for something similar?