a vintage recycled, 'whatnot' holiday garland tutorial...

ingredients required:

imagination

rose colored specs

a trusty basic sewing machine

scraps of vintage fabrics

off cuts from sewing projects

skinny lace

the odd petit doily or two

buttons of one's liking

embroidery thread

fabric scissors

ingredients not required:

exact measurements.

precison cutting tools

cutting mat

or any other

'precise' measuring thing,

all must be tossed aside.

in short

do like i do

make it up as you go along.

if you are ready,

then i shall begin

step 1:

choose an assortment of fabrics from your stash of leftovers, vintage and perhaps even 'sparingly used' favorite fabric of all time.

i have used bark cloth, cotton, tablecloths and antique linens.

i have also chosen to theme them for a 'holiday season' look. you can do the same or just go with your own style.

cut 15 rectangular, double sided pieces from your fabric choices.

cut them different sizes to add a 'quirkiness' to the garland.

do this all by eye, (remember, no measuring tools allowed).

this also helps add a 'handcrafted' vintage feel to the garland.

(my pieces are no bigger than 4" x 5")

step 2:

leaving edges raw, stitch around each piece with the help of your trusty sewing machine.

(for the purpose of today, Miss Ethel, is my trusty helper)

then attach any doilies, patches of contrasting fabrics or other such things.

you have now completed 15 little flags.

lay out your 15 flags in a pleasing order and set aside

step 3:

for the string part of the garland, take random lengths of lace, ribbon, ric-rac or thin strips of fabric. (you could even use bias binding if you have some to hand.)

place near your trusty sewing helper along with your pile of 'pleasingly ordered' flags.

leave extra string at each end of the garland for tying purposes,

start stitching flags onto the string, one at a time.

as your length of string runs out, attach another as you go. no need for pinning...

i have left a rough gap of 3.5" between my flags.

step 4:

hang garland up and step back to stare,

ponder where you wish to place a few buttons

and a couple of cross stitches along the string.

when your decision is made,

go ahead and stitch on the buttons and crosses

step 5:

next you will need to think of a saying you wish to put upon your garland.

i chose

"shine a little light on me"

i felt this covered most 'holiday' celebrations whatever your beliefs may be,

it would also look 'pretty peachy' above a little girl's bed.

once you have decided,

take a scrap of white linen and pencil on your words.

embroider with a contrasting color.

next pin, (yes, i did say pin this time... just for the purposes of placement)

your little saying upon the hanging garland.

step back once again (avoiding small objects, children, sleeping dogs, even perhaps the elves in your workshop) and see if the arrangement of words is pleasing to your eyes.

if so

go ahead and take the garland down

and return to your trusty friend

stitching your 'little saying' in place.

step 6:

rehang garland

step back for the last and final time

admire,

invite passing strangers and perhaps the mouse that lives in your studio

to admire also.

that's it dearest readers.

quite honestly, it's a rough guide to an age old item.

but one that i hope, will bring a vintage eclectic charm to a corner of your home this holiday season.

and really i can't stress enough, it's more of a project for using up all your off cuts from your stash of fabrics and other 'bits n bobs' you have lying around your crafty area.

if after all that,

you are going

"for crying out loud Tif, i can't sew and even if i could, your instructions are rather iffy"

do not worry,

for the little 'whatnot' garland that features along with the lovely Miss Ethel in today's tutorial will be up for grabs next monday...

she is thinking she may have achieved the unachievable ~ Tif