Here's a Christmas craft where you can use all those tiny bits of fabric you have left over from other craft projects. Gather all your pieces together and use them to make a festive wreath and garland decoration for your home. If you don't have any leftovers, just head to your local craft or fabric store and see if they sell bags of leftover fabric. Otherwise you may need to buy some new fabric - but this project only requires about 1.5 metres. I made mine with a turquoise, green and magenta palette with neon accents for that extra pop of colour. But you can use traditional red and white or red and green, if you like. Let's get started.
Supplies
- Jute cord. I used a jute sash cord with a diameter of 6mm and 12.5m (41 ft) long. You can use a thicker rope for a faster project. Alternatively, you could use a ready-made wreath base and skip the first four steps of this tutorial.
- String lights (fairy lights, Christmas lights), around 3.5 metres long.
- Around 1.5 metres of fabric. When selecting your fabrics take care that they have a design on both sides. Choose some with transparency. You may also use tulle that not only is transparent but also gives extra volume.
- Pair of scissors. A pair of sewing scissors that cuts fabric easily would be perfect. You could also use a pair of pinking shears that will create a zigzag pattern on your strips and also minimize fraying.
- Beads. You might like to add some beaded dangling elements to your wreath. You will need beads that match the colours of the fabrics. They should be about 1-2cm in diameter and have big holes so that the jute twine can pass through them.
- Jute twine. You need some string for the hanging elements as well as the loop. You can use any kind of string for that.
Step 1: Form a Circle With the Cord
Take your cord and place it on your working surface in the shape of a circle. I made my wreath with a 25cm diameter. While adding more layers of cord to your circle, make sure you keep everything in place.
Step 2: Secure the Starting End of the Cord
When you've reached the desired thickness of your wreath, secure the coiled layers by making a knot with the starting end.
Step 3: Wrap the Cord Around the Circle
Now take the remaining cord and wrap it tightly around the wreath. The aim is to create a compact wreath which will retain its circular shape when hung.
Step 4: Secure the End Part of the Cord
Secure the end of the wreath by making a knot. Hide the ends somewhere between the cord. Don't worry about gluing it since we are going to be covering it with fabric.
Step 5: Prepare Your Fabric
Let's start preparing the fabric strips now that your wreath base is ready for decoration. First cut the fabric in pieces with a 25cm width.
Step 6: Cut the Fabric Into Smaller Strips
Take the strips of 25cm and cut them vertically in smaller strips with a 2-4cm width. This way the length of all your strips will be 25cm. There are two ways to cut the strips depending on your fabric. You can either cut all the way with the scissors, or just cut a starting point with the scissors and continue by ripping the fabric. Choose whatever works for you. This is the most time-consuming part of the project, but once you find your way it can be fun and relaxing.
Step 7: Tie the Strips on the Wreath
Now for the fun part. Start decorating your wreath base with the strips by tying them on the wreath. Secure them with a double knot. Don't forget you still have to make your garland so don't use up all the strips!
Step 8: Tidy Up the Wreath
When you've finished adding all your fabric strips, trim some of the longer pieces so that your wreath looks tidier.
Step 9: Add a Loop
You may hang your wreath as it is or add a loop of jute twine to hang it from: just cut a piece of twine twice as long as you want your loop height to be, plus a bit more for the knot. Pass it through the wreath and make a knot to form a circle. Then make a second knot and pull it close to the wreath as shown in the photo. The second knot serves to bring the loop to the right orientation.
Step 10: Add Your Dangling Beads
If you wish, you can add some beaded hanging elements to enhance your wreath. For the following steps you will need the jute twine and the beads. Cut a piece of jute twine almost triple the length of your final element. Pass one bead through your twine and bring it to the center of the twine. Secure the bead with a knot as shown in the photo. This bead will be the last bead hanging from the twine.
Step 11: Make a Composition of Your Beads
Continue building your hanging pieces by adding beads and making knots to create your own composition. I made three beaded elements. You can make more if you like!
Step 12: Pass the Twine Through the Wreath
The beaded elements can be hung from inside the wreath or under the circle. I added three strings of different heights under the wreath and hung them asymmetrically. To add the beaded pieces to your wreath, pass them through it. Now decide the height that you want your twine to be.
Step 13: Tie the Beads to the Wreath
Make a knot by passing both ends of the twine through a loop. Push the knot as near to the wreath base as possible while tying it. Now, cut off the edges you don't need. Repeat for all three elements.
Step 14: Make Your Matching Garland
Use the remaining strips of fabric to decorate the string of lights. Tie the strips of fabric on to the lights in the same way as the wreath.
Step 15: Deck the Halls!
So, this was super easy, right? And the result is so rewarding! This project can be used to create decoration for all year round depending on the colours you use. Enjoy!
Try this at home!
This is a simple and fun idea for decorating your home by re-purposing leftover pieces of fabric. Are you going to make a garland and wreath for your home this Christmas? Tell us about it in the comments below.
