Fabric Scrap Garlands Craft Tutorial

07/20/2014

Fabric Scrap Garlands Craft Tutorial

I've been cleaning and organizing my craft room this summer, and part of the process has included straightening out fabric I've accumulated. I buy most of my fabric inexpensively at estate sales. I look for cotton mini-prints made in the 1960's and 70's. I've used these fabrics in several of my past craft projects, and today I have one more I'd like to share.

There are so many versions of fabric scrap garlands on blogs and Pinterest, I've been inspired to try one myself. Many of them involve looping fabric strips over a length of twine. The version I'm sharing today involves tying the fabric strips on a thick rope base. This results in a fluffier garland instead of a fringe-type garland.

Materials and Tools Needed:

Fabric

Ribbons, lace, ric-rac or tulle

Scissors

Rope (I used cotton upholstery cording because it was thick, yet light weight)

Hot glue

I selected fabrics that I thought would look good together:

Directions:

Cut your rope to the length you want. At each end, bend a couple inches of the rope back on itself to form a loop and secure it with hot glue. You can also complete this step after tying on all your fabric, like I did:

Wrap the joined area with a piece of ribbon or fabric and glue it into place so it looks nice.

Tear the fabric into long strips, then cut them the length you like. For my garlands, I like strips that are about 1" wide and 7" long, and I cut the ends with pinking shears.

Begin tying the strips onto your rope base. You only need to tie it once, not twice (into a full knot). Be sure to flip the rope over frequently so the tied fabric strips won't all be angled the same direction (you'll see what I mean when you start making your garland).

Once you finish with the fabric, add your lace, ribbon, ric-rac or tulle strips intermittently within your garland.

You can make your garland as full and fluffy as you want. I think this project is lots of fun and very versatile. I can picture a patriotic, Halloween, Christmas, Valentine, and Easter version of it.

I made two versions, one using satin ribbons and lace amongst the fabric:

And another using green and yellow tulle with the same fabric which gave it a lighter look:

These were so easy and fun to make, I'm sure I'll make more with different fabric!

I will be joining the following link parties, so please stop by if you can: Think Pink Sunday Block Party; Mad Skills Tutorial Link Party; Treasure Box Tuesday; Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop; and Nifty Thrifty Sunday.

Jul 20, 2014 10:14:02 AM | Crafting

6 Comments

Tamara from Etcetorize sent me over to read your blog. I do not know how I have missed reading your posts. We have similar interests. I love the fabric garland you created. Overdying and tearing cotton fabric is a mission for me :>)

Posted by: Donna Wilkes | 07/20/2014 at 06:22 PM