DIY Patriotic Garland
As I was decorating this year’s patriotic mantel, the middle of the mantel looked empty and needed a pop of red, white, and blue.
To fill the space, I made a DIY Patriotic Garland using strips of fabric.
I’m sharing my DIY Patriotic Garland for this month’s Thrifty Style Team project hosted by Julie of Redhead Can Decorate.
Last month I also shared a patriotic project, an easy to make red, white, and blue vase.
DIY Patriotic Garland
The garland was just the pop of color that my mantel needed.
You can read all about the mostly inherited vintage pieces that I used to decorate the mantel in this post.
When I made this garland, stores weren’t open for shopping so I used fabrics found in my craft stash.
The white fleece and blue quilting fabric were inherited from my mother-in-law and the red wool fabric was saved from a dumpster.
After I cut the fabric strips, I parked myself in front of the TV with Outer Banks on Netflix and made this garland.
How to Make a Fabric Garland
The technique to make this garland is similar to making a rag wreath. To make a garland, all you have to do is tie strips of fabric to a piece of sturdy twine.
Step One Cut a section of heavy twine to the length that you want your garland to be.
I cut my twine to fit between two milk glass vases on either side of my 1943 Coca-Cola poster.
I was in the planning stages of my mantel decorating when this picture was taken. The dried Baby’s Breath was later replaced with fresh.
Step Two Cut strips of red, white, and blue fabric using a rotary cutter and quilter’s ruler.
The strip measurements are 5 1/2″ x 3/4″.
The amount of fabric needed will vary with the length of the garland made.
I used ~1/8 yard of each fabric and did not use all of the strips that I cut.
Step Three Tie the strips to the jute cord.
Start with a strip of red. If your fabric is thin, you may want to use two strips.
Then add a strip of white. My red wool and white fleece fabrics are thick, so I only used one strip of each color.
Next add a strip of blue fabric.
Since the blue fabric is quilting fabric, it didn’t take as much space on the twine, so I added a second strip.
Continue adding strip of red, white, and blue until the twine is covered.
I cut too many strips but would rather have too many than not enough.
Using the Fabric Garland
After all of the strips were tied into place, I gave the garland a shake to fluff up the strips and then placed it on my mantel.
The garland added just the pop of color that my mantel was missing.
Since I had all of the materials on hand, the cost to make this garland was free.
More Thrifty Projects to Enjoy
Now it’s time to enjoy the projects that the rest of the Thrifty Style Team is sharing today. Click on the links below to see each thrifty project.
Redhead Can Decorate – Million Dollar Fresh Peony Centerpiece for $35
The Painted Hinge – Easy Sunflower Centerpiece with Vintage Bottles
DIY Beautify – How to Make an Industrial Initial Sign
2 Bees In A Pod – Rope Wrapped Candle Holder
Postcards From The Ridge – Solar-Powered Sea Glass Mason Jar Lanterns
The Tattered Pew – World Market Potting Bench Makeover
Sweet Pea – DIY Patriotic Garland
What Meegan Makes – Using Unique Vintage Pieces for Home Decor
Salvaged Living – Watermelon Garland for Summer
Patriotic Ideas
Every year I love decorating my home with red, white, and blue for patriotic holidays. These are some of my favorite patriotic posts.
Vintage Style Patriotically Decorated Living RoomÂ
DIY Patriotic Vase
Use a clear florist vase to make a red, white, and blue vase perfect to use for decorating for Memorial Day, 4th of July, and other patriotic holidays.
This turned out so cute! It looks so good on your mantel with all of your patriotic decor!
Thank you, Kelly! I had a lot of fun making it and I can use it for patriotic holiday decor for years to come.
Paula
How funny, we have been watching Outer Banks as well! Am also revisiting The Blacl List, adore James Spader. Love your garland. I saw stars and stripes at first, odd how the mind plays tricks.
I love getting show suggestions, I’ll look for The Black List. Thanks for your kind comment. I had a lot of fun making this garland and I can enjoy using it for years to come.
Paula
Looks so cute and easy to make thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Terrie!
Paula
You KNOW I am all about patriotic decorating, since my birthday is the 4th of July. Your sweet garland is the perfect addition for any type of decor.
I love the various prints and textures.
Thanks for sharing, Paula.
I didn’t know that you were a 4th of July baby! What a great day to celebrate your birth and our wonderful country.
Paula
I love your patriotic mantle! Is the framed art a framed jigsaw puzzle? So nice!
It is a 1943 poster distributed by Coca-Cola. I also love it!
Paula
Paula, your garland is super cute and so easy to make! What fun patriotic decor!
Thank you, Michelle! I had a lot of fun making it.
Paula
This is such a fun project – I love something to do while I am sitting down to watch a TV show at the end of the day! Your mantelpiece looks absolutely beautiful!
Paula,
Your entire mantel is perfect for summer and the festive garland gives is just the right finishing touch. I love that poster and milk glass vases are always a favorite. Thanks for the wonderful idea, and have a great day!
Fun and easy, my favorite! I love the pops of color on your mantle for summer!
This looks so simple I want to try it! The options are endless for all the seasons! Thank you for joining in, Paula!!
So cute! Love the fabric you chose. I love a rich blue for patriotic crafts and the texture of it is a bonus!
What a cute and thrifty project! I really love your patriotic mantel:)
Thank you, Carrie! I’m glad that I decorated early this year. It’s nice to have several weeks to enjoy seasonal decor before its time to switch it out again.
Paula
Paula,
Your mantel looks so lovely for the 4th. I love the material you used for the garland. Congratulations, you are being featured on Thursday Favorite Things. https://www.eclecticredbarn.com/2020/06/thursday-favorite-things_25.html
Hugs,
Bev
Your patriotic garland looks so lovely on your mantel Paula and the fabric was perfect. We’ve all had to get creative and use what we have this past few months.
Thank you for sharing your DIY patriotic garland tutorial at Create, Bake, Grow & Gather this week. I’m delighted to be featuring it at tomorrows party and pinning too.
Hugs,
Kerryanne
I love your garland, Paula. It does remind me of a rag wreath. I love projects like this where you can watch Netflix and craft at the same time. It looks lovely on your mantel and it was the finishing touch! Pinned 🙂
Very pretty mantel and fireplace! Hope you have a happy fourth!
Nothing like a great patriotic craft. Love it!!
So simple and beautiful, Paula! Your garland and mantle is so pretty!
Paula, I love your garland and patriotic mantel! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!
Thank you so much, Cecilia.