I'd really like to make some of those scrap fabric garlands, but can't seem to find a link or pattern that explains how to make them. Someone on another board mentioned seeing them knotted onto Christmas lights, and now I can't remember WHICH board I saw it on, so I can't dig around for it. Any ideas? I was hoping it would be easy enough for Devin and I to do together.

Thanks in advance ladies!

I make them.

All you do is cut your fabric into strips. I cut mine into 1 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches. Tie these into a knot around the string or light. (if using christmas tree light you will need to make the strips much smaller or you will never see the lights when they are on.

Lori.

Isn't a fire hazard to tie fabric strips around the lights?

I only use the small twinkle lights and have never had a problem. I dont see why it would be any different from having lights in a fake tree or wrapped in fake (greenery) garland. kwim?

Thanks! Oh, and congratulations on being 1 yr. in remission - very cool. I'm not concerned about the lights being a fire hazard, because I'm very freaky about fires (my mom's 5 brothers and sisters and my grandma died in a fire when mom was 5 years old) so I don't leave lights on unattended in my house anyway. Kind of like candles. If it DID catch on fire, I'd be around to put it out fairly quickly anyways, but surely the little twinkle lights won't catch on fire.

Thanks again! I can't wait to start making them!

do you cut the fabric straight on the grain (or cross-grain) or tear or use pinking shears? I loved the look of the garland you posted before...the addition of lights has really got me intrigued :)

It does not matter which way you cut the fabric. It is supposed to look worn and primitive so you will have a few threads here and there. If you use pinking sheers it will take forever to cut the fabric. Try cutting several layers at one time on you cutting mat with a rotary cutter.

IMO Homespun or anyother kind of fabric that is not printed works the best. Rihgt now WalMart has it on the clearance table for $1.00 yd.

Lori

where can I see a picture of these?

Glad you posted that - I was going to use printed fabric. It would be MUCH cheaper to buy the $1 a yard stuff. My living room is purple, it would be much easier to semi match as well.

Sherrie - I looked forever online the other day trying to find directions, or pictures so I could figure out how to do it myself, and couldn't find a picture. I'd LOVE to be able to find a picture as well.

http://www.maggiessudsandsuch.com/garland1.html

There are some pictures there, w/o lights though.

HTH

Here is a Harvest/Fall one on Ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=1217&item=3751238164&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Originally posted by lilma98
http://www.maggiessudsandsuch.com/garland1.html



I thought she was trying to hypnotize me with her product descriptions. :p

I can mail you a small piece so you can see how it is done.
Just email me your mailing addy and I will mail this right out.

Lori

I found some leftover fabric from some blankie dolls I made last year...in fall-ish colors. :) My leftovers were 4" strips so I made up my own way of doing things so I could use 4" strips instead of 6"...easier to cut (or rip :) ) it down that way.

Plus I didn't think my hands could do all that tying.... so my version is strung onto a double thickness of dental floss. I started with a glass bead in the center of the dental floss...then I fished both ends of the floss through a long needle (I used a 5" long dollmaking needle) I wove strips onto the needle and when it was full I pushed them down. I took a stitch through the last strip to anchor the new bunch in place and then did it again. On each strip I stitched in and out a few times through the center so it would gather nicely. Seems to be working well...I've got about 8 feet done and just a small bit of strips left in my basket.

Ok, Dannielle- Please post a picture- can't quite visulize what you are doing.... I have some scraps I want to use up. PLEASE!

Tawnya

close up pic

and the whole thing...

Here's Lori's pic from the origninal thread...well, a part of it. I couldn't get it to open all the way cuz it was too big. I made it smaller :)

ok, mine seems to be more of a scrap BOA :p than a garland! Oh well....it's not going on a Christmas tree anyway...just around the mirror that is over our nature table.

Originally posted by huntersmommy
I can mail you a small piece so you can see how it is done.
Just email me your mailing addy and I will mail this right out.

Lori

Are you talking to me? Because if you are I'll take you up on the offer. I'd really like to make these for presents this year. I'm hosting the Thanksgiving dinner (YIKES) for the first time this year, and I'd like to make everyone something festive as an early Christmas present. Basically bribe 'em for the crappy dinner and service they will be sure to recieve. :eek:

Originally posted by duckydolittle
Are you talking to me? Because if you are I'll take you up on the offer. I'd really like to make these for presents this year. I'm hosting the Thanksgiving dinner (YIKES) for the first time this year, and I'd like to make everyone something festive as an early Christmas present. Basically bribe 'em for the crappy dinner and service they will be sure to recieve. :eek:

Yes, I'm talking to you. just PM me your addy. I have a small 6 in piece for you to look/pull apart. These are super easy.

I also get the just at WalMart for $1.29 for 50 yards.

Lori

Originally posted by Dannielle
ok, mine seems to be more of a scrap BOA :p than a garland! Oh well....it's not going on a Christmas tree anyway...just around the mirror that is over our nature table.

I think it looks just fine... If you're worried about it NOT looking like garland, I'd suggest spacing the scraps just a tad bit further apart OR not as many pieces together as one.

Thank you for the photos!!!! I *thought* that's what you were doing....

I think I might make something like that for our tree. I have nearly 3 year old twins and this will be the first year we set up the tree. I wonder how long it will stay standing? :) I am trying to make sure all the ornaments are very kid friendly...

Tawnya

Your fabric scraps would probably go further if you tied them around jute like Lori's. I just did it that way bc my scraps were already cut down to 4"...to short to tie around anything. It would probably be sturdier for kids with the jute/tying method too. I think Lori used strips that are 1 1/2" x 6". Mine were 1 2/3" x 4".

Hope that helps!

Dannielle, yours look great. I have a bunch of 4 in strips that I had no idea what to do with them. I'm going to try your method and hope mine looks as nice as yours.

Thanks,

Lori

Danielle~ I think yours turned out adorable too. I love both pictures. I want to see one of these made with the christmas lights.. and see it lit up. Are you suppose to use the cheapo teeny tiny lights.. like the string of 100 lights you can buy at the dollar store?

Originally posted by Dannielle
I thought she was trying to hypnotize me with her product descriptions. :p

*lurking*

I swear if I was drinking I would ruined my keyboard! LOL! :joker:

"You are getting sleepy.. "

Dannielle-I totally love yours...can you pm me a little bit more detailed instructions so I might give it a shot? The picture is small, and I am craft impaired!

Thanks :)

Danielle, you're basically sewing them on using dental floss? Are you just going in once with the needle or in and out? I have a sweet stash of stuff for this and my tree would look so yummy with this AND my dh could even do it!

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, couldn't I make cute mini ones ornament style for the swap, maybe with funky yarns tied on top as a bow. Am I making any sense?