Friday, February 15, 2008

Spring Rag Garland

This is an easy project that the whole family can help create. I do these in all color combinations for different holidays. The Halloween garland can be especially fun as I include strips of sparkling black sequin fabric to give it a little extra bling. Unfortunately for this garland I wasn't able to find any pastel sequined fabric. I like to use crisp fabrics with some body. In addition I press them using heavy or extra crisp spray starch.

The first thing you're going to do is decide on the color palette. I just went into my stash and pulled some pieces of fabric in pink, blue, yellow and green. Decide what you want your main color to be because you're going to cut more of those strips. My main color is a solid pink.

Next cut the fabric into 8-inch strips using a rotary cutter with a pinking blade. This prevents everything from raveling. If you don't have a pinking blade just use the one you have. This is, of course, the adults only portion of the project. I'm sure I don't have to elaborate on the dangers of a rotary cutter and I won't relate the details of my own accident!

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Then we'll cut those 8 inch pieces and cut the strips to a width of 1 to 1-1/4 inches wide. This doesn't have to be perfect. After cutting a few strips you should be able to eyeball it. Once you start cutting these strips it goes pretty fast. Just pile all the strips together.

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I used 275 strips to make a 6-foot garland. If you count how many you get from one of your 8 inch strips, you can quickly calculate your number. This, of course, depends on the width of your fabric. I used both 45 inch and 60 inch wide fabric. You can always cut more, or if you have too many you can use the extra strips to make a smaller garland to drape around a glass hurricane.

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Now you're going to cut a length of jute or heavy twine. This gives a nice draping base for the garland. I cut the jute longer than the final desired length. Tie a loop in one end, leave the other end unlooped until you're finished.

Start tying on the strips. This is where the kids can get involved. Just loop over once, pull tight.....

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and slide the strip down.

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Keep tying and sliding. You don't need to follow any particular pattern, just make sure you're not bunching all the color together in one spot. The reason I cut more of the main color is that I like to put two or three strips of the main color followed by four or five multi-colored strips.

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This garland was finished in one evening while I was watching TV.

I have a rough sawn cedar mantle and use straight pins to attach it to the wood. I've also draped them over the fireplace screen or across an entertainment center.

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I especially love decorating for spring & Easter because it allows me to display my large collection of bunnies!

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Have fun with this. It's so easy and kids love to do this!

Please keep the family and friends of all those involved in the shooting at our local college in your prayers.

8 comments:

Vintage Indie said...

Just wanted you to know you've been given an "You make my day" award on Vintage Indie today!

Abbie said...

Oh! what an absolutely fabulous idea! It is just beautiful and perfect for the season! Thank you for the idea!
:) Abbie

C.C. said...

What a lovely idea! The garland is beautiful! Keeping the students and families of the college shooting in our prayers.

Suzanne said...

THanks for all your kinds comments. And thanks for keeping those families in your prayers.

V-Indie - Omigosh, now I've got to figure out who to nominate.

Abbie, I hope you can put this idea to use. I'd love to see the results.

Vee said...

LOL! You're getting awards from all angles! At least you can combine them that way...

This project is absolutely fantastic. Makes me wish that I had a stash of fabric!

Mary said...

I absolutely love this idea...I love barn red/cream/navy for decorating and I already see one done in those colors in my head! Now you're going to have me digging through my stash tonight to see what I can come up with for spring or just for the fun of making one! Our mantel is nearly identical to yours and it already has little hooks installed underneath to hang a garland. : )

Suzanne said...

Vee - I have so much fabric I could open my own store. Let me know if you need some!

Mary - Those colors sound just wonderful. I actually need to install some hooks to make it easier.

Unknown said...

ok that is about the cutest thing ever! i love it!