Create stunning fabric wreaths and garlands. These can be seasonal or year-round decorations. Commercial sewing patterns are available for these projects.
For year-round use, there are a number of suitable motifs. These include butterflies and fish as well as animals, teddy bears, flowers, houses, and hearts.
For parties, birthdays, and other celebrations, fabric garlands and wreaths are very suitable decorations. They can be stored and used year after year provided they don’t mark a specific occasion, such as a 50th anniversary.
Fabrics for Wreaths and Garlands
Various kinds of fabrics make great wreaths and garlands. These include ones that aren’t washable. Fabric scraps can often be used for these projects.
Seasonal prints and solids are good choices. Velvets, velveteens, and metallics work very well for Christmas. Felt is also a possibility, especially for flat ornaments.
Stuffed Fabric Wreaths
There are several types of stuffed fabric wreaths. Braided fabric wreaths consist of several long tubes, which are stuffed with fiberfill and braided. The ends are tacked in place on the back. Add a tab to the back for hanging. Make a large bow for the front.
Stuffed patchwork fabric wreaths are often shaped like traditional wreaths with holes in the center. The front can be pieced or appliqued as well. Cut a back the same size as the front. With the right sides together, sew the inner and outer seams. Leave openings on each edge for turning. Turn, and lightly stuff the wreath to give it some body. Then, slipstitch the opening. Attach a tab to the back so the wreath can be hung.
Using Wreath Forms
The simplest fabric wreaths are made from Styrofoam. These require no sewing. Use a screwdriver to punch small holes in the foam at regular intervals. Small squares (3½ inches or so) of fabric are folded in half and inserted in each hole. Pick up each fabric square by its center and stuff in a hole. For a small Styrofoam wreath, it takes about ¾ yard of fabric.
Other types of wreath forms can be used for fabric wreaths. These include metal, straw, grapevine, and other natural materials.
For a quick and easy wreath, wrap the wreath form with strips of fabric. Tack the ends of each strip in place with stitches.
There are other simple ways to decorate wreath forms. Attach flat or stuffed fabric ornaments to the wreath with ribbon or transparent thread.
Fabric Garlands
Garlands can be made by attaching ornaments, either stuffed or flat, to ribbon. Stitch the stuffed ones to the ribbon. The flat ones can be glued, fused, or sewn to the ribbon. If fusing, use double sized fusible, such as Steam-a-Seam2.
The stuffed ornaments can also be threaded onto ribbon. For this option, leave an opening in the top and bottom of the stuffed ornaments for inserting the ribbon.
Stuffed Ornaments for Wreaths and Garlands
These are simple and easy to make. Just cut a front and back. Place the right sides together. Sew the edges, leaving an opening for turning. After turning to the right side, stuff and slipstitch the opening.
Flat Fabric Ornaments for Wreaths and Garlands
Cut the fabric into appropriate shapes, such as gingerbread men, hearts, Easter eggs, or fall foliage. For lightweight fabrics, a backing material is needed. Fuse or sew the two layers together. The ornaments can be decorated with crystals, beads, embroidery, fabric paint, or other craft technique.
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