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Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After

Rediscovering Life after Retirement

Categories: Craft and Create

DIM, Did It Myself: Summer Garland

DDIM, Did it Myself: Summer Galdn

Hello my crafty, creative friends!

Welcome to another addition of “DIM, Did it Myself”.  Sharing the how-to’s for a summer garland I created out of the unlikely combination of torn fabric, tulle and twine.  It’s hanging from my mantel. And the ceiling fan is making the fabric dance ever-so-slightly.  Almost making the garland a mobile instead!

DIM, Did it Myself: Summer Garland

Really had hoped to get this made for spring.  But with Easter coming late this year, and working full time all spring, I wound up leaving my Easter garland up longer than I should have.   I did start work on it in the spring, at least!  But didn’t get it finished until last week.  Let’s take a look.

Summer Garland Supplies

Fabric garlands only require three supplies.

DIM, Did it Myself: Summer Garland

They were simple and few but not exactly inexpensive.  I probably could find cheaper fabric at a true fabric store but bought mine at Walmart and $Hobby Lobby$.  Started with 1 1/2 yards of two different lightweight cotton prints and 1 1/2 yards of tulle (which was too much).  I needed approximately 6 feet of twine.  This spool supplied that and a little more.

Once I got started working, I realized I would need more fabric if I wanted my garland to be full.  So, I bought 1 1/2 yards of two other patterns at Walmart.  Here’s Purrsimmony posing with one of those.

DIM, Did it Myself: Summer Garland

So, all together, here’s what I wound up buying:

  • 1 1/2 yards each of 4 different cotton prints
  • 1 1/2 yards of tulle
  • spool of twine

Step One

Determine the width you want for your fabric strips.  Then roughly measure out where to cut your strips on each piece of fabric.  I started measuring with a ruler.  But soon used the width of three of my fingers for each strip.  That was faster and easier!

DIM, Did it Myself: Summer Garland
DIM, Did it Myself: Summer Garland
DIM, Did it Myself: Summer Garland

In others’ garlands, I have seen the garland strips carefully cut and not-so-carefully torn.  Guess which method I went with?

Yup, I tore those babies.  Definitely faster and probably made my strips straighter, too.  You can see that there is some variance in the width of my strips.  Depending on whether my fingers were having a fat or skinny day when I measured the strips to tear.  Purrsnickitty inspected my work.

I found directions for making this garland in a blue million places on Pinterest.  Imagine that.  Some gals made short fabric strips, some made long strips.  There was some debate about whether the garland should be full or sparse.  Whether the strips should be the same length or varying lengths.  I went with “full” and “varying lengths”.

Then I folded each strip ‘exactly’ in half length-wise.

Step Two

Arrange yours strips on the garland twine.  Decide on the pattern or arrangement of your strips.  I used the same pattern all the way through.  Light yellow, zig-zag, floral, green print.  Light yellow, zig-zag, floral, green print.  I laid out all of my strips in order on the kitchen table to be sure I had the pattern sorted correctly before I began adding the fabric to the twine.

DIM, Did it Myself: Summer Garland

Step Three

Measure out your twine.  I knew I would be hanging this on my mantel so I measured off enough twine to go from one end of my mantel to the other.  Then I added an extra foot or so for tying a bow on each end of the garland.  And I added a little wiggle room because I wanted my garland to hang down rather than taut across the edge of the mantel.  Figured my fabric would weigh the garland down, too. My mantel is about 60″ inches wide but I cut my twine closer to 6 1/2 feet+.

Step Four

Begin adding your strips to one end of the twine.  This step is easier to do than it is to explain.  Take a strip (folded in half), and lay it behind the twine. Pull the bottom or tails of the strip up and over the twine.  Pull the strip through itself at the loop created where the fabric is folded.  Clear as mud? Yeah, see what I mean?  Hard to explain.  But take a look at this diagram.  Apparently we are tying the strips using a lark’s head knot.

DIM, Did it Myself: Summer Garland

[source]

Tied a few strips on very tightly so I could see how they were going to look.

DIM, Did it Myself: Summer Garland

Then I added some more.  Once I had two or three sets of the four strips, I began adding the strips more loosely, just to get them onto the twine and off my kitchen table.

DIM, Did it Myself: Summer Garland

Went back and tightened each strip on the twine after I got them all ‘loaded’ onto it.  And then it was tulle time!

Step Five

Measure and cut your tulle into strips.  Then add a strip of tulle between the end of one set and the beginning of another set of fabric strips.

DIM, Did it Myself: Summer Garland

I like the pop of color this pretty blue added to the garland.

DIM, Did it Myself: Summer Garland

Step Six

Hang it up!  It was finally time to hang my garland.  I tied knots in the twine before the first strip and after the last strip to keep them from shifting too much.  Then tied bows in the ends of the twine on both sides.  Used heavy-duty packaging tape to hang the garland from our mantel.

DIM, Did it Myself: Summer Garland

Here is my cross-seasonal garland.  Began in spring and finished in summer.

DIM, Did it Myself: Summer Garland

So, what do you think about the different lengths I chose for the strips?  Would it look better if the strips were all measured and cut the same length?  Just to clarify, all of the strips in one pattern (zig-zag or green print, etc.) are the same length.

DIM, Did it Myself: Summer Garland

Because I tore my strips of fabric, they are unraveled at the edges which gives the garland more of a homemade look.  Once I had it hanging, I went over each strip removing little unraveled strings and cleaning the edges up.

I kind of like it.  Still wonder if I should even the strips up in length.  But if so, that will happen later.  I still have two months of summer to decide!

More Inspiration

In my research for this project, I pinned a number of darling fabric garlands to my “DIYs, DIMs and Honey-Dos”.  Check out all of those great ideas, here.  Would be tickled to have you follow me on Pinterest, too!

Your Turn

First of all, did you know this knot was called a lark’s head?  You did?  I’m impressed. Guess I dropped out of Girl Scouts too early.

Have you created a fabric garland like this?  Would this be something you would like to try?  I am thinking I could make one for each of my granddaughters’ birthdays?  Or for my daughters for Christmas maybe?  Better get started NOW!  A lighter version of this garland would be super cute on my banister for the holidays.  Or draped around the Christmas tree?  Oh, my!  I am going to have to give up my day job to get these made!

Creative Corner

I am joining up with all of the creative souls for Carrie’s “Creative Corner“.  Happen to know that Carrie is off enjoying a romantic, child-free vacay with her honey this week.  She is so amazingly organized, though, I am sure she had something put together weeks ago for today’s post.  Here I am struggling to get my post written before the day is out.  Keep hoping she’ll rub off on me.

Happy Holidays

Both Canada and America are celebrating their Independence Days these first days of July.  Happy Canada Day and happy Fourth of July.  Enjoy your holiday and come back on the 4th for a delicious pork loin recipe to cook on the grill.  Run out to buy your pork loin now – you’ll also need chipotle chile powder, onion powder, garlic powder and brown sugar – then meet me back here Tuesday.

And that’s a post!  Whew, got ‘er written before the day is done.  Heading over to Carrie’s to see what the gals there have created, won’t you join me?  Thanks for stopping by, gals.

Hugs and kisses,

  • leslie
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    About Leslie Roberts Clingan

    I am an aspiring blogger and children's author, wife, mother, daughter, sister, - in-law, responsible pet owner and recently retired elementary school librarian. I hope to figure out the next chapter of my life as I transition from crazy, busy work world onto totally idle retirement and now to something in-between.

    Comments

    1. Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond

      July 2, 2017 at 11:41 pm

      You are way to clever for me Leslie! I like the colour scheme though.

      Reply
      • Leslie Roberts Clingan

        July 6, 2017 at 8:59 am

        Thank you, Sue. I’m thinking a gauzy fabric and tulle version of this garland would be cute for my granddaughters’ rooms.

        Reply
    2. Daenel T.

      July 3, 2017 at 8:13 am

      Absolutely adore. Just yesterday, The Hubs asked why I stopped doing all the fancy stuff that I’ve done at our previous homes… I guess I’ll be adding this to my list of things to do.

      Reply
      • Leslie Roberts Clingan

        July 6, 2017 at 9:01 am

        Awww! Thank you so much! When my girls were younger, I decorated for everything. Placemats, nick-knacks, garlands, wreaths. But once the nest emptied, I stopped. And PC probably prefers it that way. But as I began blogging, I liked doing little projects for holidays and dragged my old placemats, wreaths back out again. Thank you so much for the sweet compliment.

        Reply
    3. Margaret

      July 3, 2017 at 3:20 pm

      Love this! I think it looks great just like it is.

      Reply
      • Leslie Roberts Clingan

        July 6, 2017 at 9:04 am

        Oh, Margaret! Your sweet words are music to my ears. I didn’t feel like cutting anything off my garland. Glad to hear you like it as is. And thank you so much for reading, commenting and coming by. Hope to see you here again very soon.

        Reply
    4. Terri Webster Schrandt

      July 3, 2017 at 10:19 pm

      Thank you for the explanation of these steps, especially the tying part! Your garland looks fantastic!

      Reply
    5. curlycraftymom

      July 5, 2017 at 6:50 pm

      Lol! You crack me up! Thanks for the call out! 🙂 I did a garland awhile back for Autumn’s room and I have it hanging on the wall that faces her bed. I had to look up how to tie a knot, too! Duh! And your two cats are so adorable, I love the name Purrsimmony!

      Carrie
      curlycraftymom.com

      Reply
    6. Connie Lichtenberg

      July 6, 2017 at 5:48 pm

      The garland you made looks not only beautiful, but cozy, inviting and sort of aged. The tearing really makes a difference! I looked on the Pintrest board you linked to. The cut strips looked stiff and uninviting. I found the instructions very easy to follow.

      Reply
      • Leslie Roberts Clingan

        July 7, 2017 at 2:00 pm

        Connie, I woke up thinking of you! Thank you so much for your kind words. I read your comment right before bed last night. When I came downstairs this morning, my little garland was dancing in the breeze from the ceiling fan. And I replayed your compliments in my head. Thank you so much! I am not a fancy lady by any stretch of the imagination so tearing the strips for this project was just more me! Scary!!! And I found that the varying lengths of the strips allow more movement which I enjoy. They are fluttering as I type this.

        Thank you so much for coming by, reading and commenting. If you make a garland, please send me a picture! Hope you will come back again. XO

        Reply
    7. Jill

      July 8, 2017 at 11:23 am

      I just made a summer wreath with fabric strips and now I think I need to make this garland! I love how it turned out! Thank you for sharing your tutorial! I’m pinning this!

      Jill
      Doused In Pink

      Reply
      • Leslie Roberts Clingan

        July 8, 2017 at 11:52 pm

        I remember your scrap wreath. I think I pinned it, too!! But if not, I need to go back and do that. I have loads of bits and pieces left from the garland and could make a matching wreath. Thank you for your sweet words. If you make the garland, please share a pic with me.

        Reply
    8. Carol ("Mimi")

      July 13, 2017 at 9:03 am

      I really like the combination of the tulle strips with the cotton prints. Your color scheme is subtle and relaxing — makes a nice statement over the fireplace. Very attractive!
      Carol (“Mimi”) from Home with Mimi

      Reply
      • Leslie Roberts Clingan

        July 13, 2017 at 8:43 pm

        Oh, thank you, Mimi Carol! I have enjoyed watching it dance in the breeze of my ceiling fan. Kind of restful. Thank you so much for coming by, reading and commenting!!

        Reply

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    In what felt like the blink of an eye, I have gone from full-time wife to my sweet husband, hands-on mom to my two beautiful daughters and elementary school librarian to a retired, empty nester with lots of time on my hands. Join me on my journey to rediscover who I am. Glad you are here...
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