Transform Clutter Into Christmas Decorations
Christmas garlands are the perfect fabric scrap busting project when you have
more scraps then you know what to do with and can't bear to simply throw them out
Step 1
Tip all your scraps out into a big pile.
Step 2
Cut or tear the scraps into strips about an inch wide and are all approximately the same length.
Because I was going for that organic, shabby look I tore my strips for the unravelled edge effect. After I tried a few out I found I liked the look of about 12 inches (30cm), the finished length is a bit less then half the cut length.
Step 3
Take a piece of string or rope the length you want your garland to be and start tying your strips to it.
I used 3mm (approx, 3/8") cord.
How to tie the strips
Fold your strip in half and push the loop end under your rope.
Hold the loop end open with one hand and hold the ends in the other.
Push the ends through the loop.
Pull on the ends to tighten.
Step 4
Decide you don't like the colour combination and start over. Push the strips off the end of your rope and they will magically come undone.
Go and make a cup of tea. Come back to discover you have a helper.
A helper that has fallen asleep on the job. Finish your cup of tea then dig your project out from under your lazy bones helper that refuses to move.
Once you've got the colour combination working for you it all goes pretty quickly and you can have a couple of meters finished in an hour or so. By then you might want a snack and another cup of tea.
You can skip this step if your colour combination is working for you, your helper is actually helpful and you don't want a cup of tea.
Step 5
Wonder where to hang it up, tie a couple of loops in either end of your rope for this purpose and bravely stick some pushpin hooks into your wall.
Voila! You're all done. Stand back and admire your beautiful bespoke garland.
Take a moment to realise (and enjoy) that you have:
- upcycled clutter into something useful
- reduced waste that would go to landfill
- created a decoration that will always remind of you the projects and memories associated with those fabrics (for me that includes a wedding, family and friends)
- saved money.
Add some fairy lights for that extra Christmasy touch. My fairy lights are multicolour icicle indoor ones.
I made my daughter and my Halloween pirate skirts out of fabric scraps. I never thought about using it for garland. Great idea.
ReplyDeleteThese scraps weren't really big enough for anything else. I like the idea of a pirate skirt!
DeleteHi I'm Sharon visiting from How To Get Organized At Home and I just wanted to say thank you for linking up to the party with such a great post, I would never have thought to do this but it looks awesome!
ReplyDeleteThe garland turned out better then I hoped but not as good as I imagined. I'm really pleased to have found a way to make such small scraps useful again. Thanks for coming to visit!
DeleteI'm totally in love with this! Pinned and tweeted. We appreciate you being a part of our party, and I hope to see you on tonight at 7 pm. We love partying with you!
ReplyDeleteHappy Monday! Lou Lou Girls
Yes, I finally took the plunge and joined your enormous party!
DeleteWhat a great way to use up scraps. It looks really fun with the lights. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI think it's the lights that make it properly Christmasy- but I secretly think the pink garland would also be great for valentines day with some pink lights. Thanks for visiting!
Deletetoo cute and a great way to decorate, use up scraps, add a bit of whimsy and smile every day rolled into one! Love the skirt idea too :) thanks for sharing with us!
ReplyDeleteJust can't resist a bit of whimsy and smiles! :o)
DeleteThis is so cute! Great idea! I love fabric scraps for so many reasons! Thanks for linking up at totally terrific tuesday! i hope you had a wonderful new years day and I cant wait to see what the new year has in store for everyone!
ReplyDeleteHope you made it back this week :)
Jess @liverandomlysimple
It's going to be an exciting year for sure.
DeleteCute, easy, saving the planet, triple win!
ReplyDeleteMelinda