How to make a Christmas wreath
Christmas can be a very expensive time of year – but it doesn’t have to be. There are lots of ways you can make your season merry and bright with ornaments, centre pieces – and even a festive wreath! The best bit? You can make the whole lot with your own fair hands, giving you a real sense of pride and satisfaction, and you can do this really cheaply too. There’s no reason why decorations should have to break the bank, plus there’s a great sense of achievement when someone asks you where you bought it from, and you can tell them that it’s actually homemade. It’s so easy to make a wreath and other homemade Christmas decorations, plus it means you don’t have to be traditional as you can add your own personal touch to each item. Instead of a wreath made out of holly and ivy, why not try it out of material? Time to get crafty this Christmas!
TOP TIP: Use up any old pieces of fabric you’ve collected over the years.
You will need:
- 30-40 offcuts of fabric, at least 300mm long
- 10 – 20 lengths of ribbon, at least 300mm long
- 1 ring
- 1 piece of ribbon or string for the hanger
The ring:
You don’t need to hem the fabric, as the frayed edges add to the wreath’s charm. To construct your wreath, you can use an old embroidery ring, a circular frame or a polystyrene wreath template, available widely from craft shops and florists. Alternatively, cut out a circle of cardboard and wrap some wool around it to strengthen and bulk out the template.
To make:
1) Gather together a mass of fabrics. Measure the circumference of your template and add 200mm to this figure. This should give you the minimum length for each strip of fabric used.
2) Simply knot each strip of fabric around the template, leaving the sections loose as necessary. Try and keep the strips as close together as possible, interspersing them with ribbon as required.
3) To hang, tie a long piece of string or embroidery thread around the wreath and double knot. Make another double knot in the thread 100mm from the top of the template. You can now hang your wreath proudly from a nail or pin.
For more great craft ideas read: Make & mend a guide to recycling clothes and fabrics (£9.99, Robinson) by Rebecca Peacock and Sam Tickner
Make & Mend
by Sam Tickner
by Rebecca Wright
Welcome to Make & Mend! This book shows how, with a little knowledge and a little creativity, you can make a wide range of fantastic items from those old clothes and fabrics you can't bear to throw away. Whether it's a cushion cover from a coat, a tote bag from a torn dress or a neck tie from a negligee, this book will show you how to make it. A bit of know-how and a few ideas, and you can create gorgeous items with a completely personal stamp. Packed full of projects, from aprons to curtains, bags to jewellery, we show you how to turn a bag of scraps into wearable, beautiful and personalised items. Each project offers a step-by-step guide to making successful pieces, as well as a wealth of information and encouragement to be as creative as possible and push your skills in a direction you might never have thought of. Included is a list of basic equipment, illustrations, tips and advice as well as a thorough grounding in the basics of hand and machine sewing, and a fully stocked resources section. Each project is designed and illustrated to be as fun, interesting and as beautiful as possible. And the best bit is...you made it yourself!
Contents: Introduction; Part 1 Equipment; Part 2 Techniques; Part 3 Projects; Making scarves; Making bags; Making skirts; Making household items; Making cushions; Making curtains; Creating personalised gifts; Making jewellery; Part 4 Where to buy; Index
