Creating a simple fall rag tie garland is a great way to celebrate the turn of the calendar to the coming fall season.
Not to mention that it is silly simple to do. And with a little imagination you can customize the fabric and/or beads you use for your garland so that they pair well with your other seasonal decor.
I highly recommend brewing yourself a hot cuppa tea, gathering the supplies you need to make this great DIY home project, putting on one of your favorite movies, and getting a fall garland made for your home.
Mine makes me smile every time I look at it, and I expect it to continue to do just that for years to come!
Supplies Needed For This Project
If you are a crafter you may have all of the supplies needed to make a fall rag tie garland on hand already. The supplies are pretty basic.
Here’s a list of what you’ll need …
- Cotton Fabric – You’ll need inexpensive cotton fabric in a variety of fall colors.
- Wooden Beads – Any beads with a hole large enough to be strung onto jute twine will work. I used some leftover wooden beads that I had in one of my craft totes. They are a pretty common craft supply and should be readily available.
- Jute Twine – Jute twine is the base for this fall rag tie garland. It works well and is inexpensive.
- Measuring Tape – I prefer to use a soft measuring tape, that is made for sewing, when working with fabric. You can use any measuring tape you have. Or you can use a basic ruler.
- Scissors
- Pencil
- Scotch Tape
The amount of each fabric, beads, and twine that you will need to complete this project will vary depending on how long you want to make your garland.
When getting your supplies together, bear in mind that 2 1/2 yards of fabric (1/2 yard of 5 different prints) and approximately 63 large beads will make a 12′ garland.
Choosing Fabric For This Project
Choosing the fabric for your fall rag tie garland is guaranteed to be a lot of fun. You can mix and match solid colors and fall patterns any way you like.
I chose to use 3 patterned fabrics in fall colors and 1 solid brown fabric.
The instructions for this garland call for 5 different fabrics. But I wanted to double up on the solid brown, because I like the way it looked when placed between the other fabrics. So I used just 4 different fabrics for my garland, and I’m thrilled with the results.
You, of course, can use any combination of fabric that appeals to you. There are no rules.
You can also use any type of fabric that you like for this project. However, please note that the flexibility and weight of the fabric will effect the appearance of the garland a great deal.
I used a lightweight cotton fabric to make the garland for this post. This type of material will lay flatter than most other materials out there, and that appealed to me.
It is inexpensive, which is a big plus. It comes in an endless variety of patterns and colors. And it rips very easily, leaving a nicely frayed edge, which gives the garland a scrappy look.
How Long Does It Take To Make A Fall Rag Tie Garland?
The amount of time that you will need to make a fall rag tie garland will vary according to how long you decide you are going to make it.
The garland that I created for this post is 6′ long, and it took me approximately 2 hours to put together.
I did work my way through this project at a leisurely pace. I tend to take my time when working on projects like this, because I enjoy the process as much as the end result.
If you want to complete this project quickly, you could easily shave between 30 and 45 minutes from the time needed to get it done.
How To Make A Fall Rag Tie Garland
I have included full instructions on how to make a fall rag tie garland at the bottom of this post for your convenience.
But let’s touch on the basics here …
Cut the fabric for your garland into a 12″ wide strip.
Mark the bottom, back side of the fabric in 1 1/2″ segments.
Make a 1″ cut at each mark with a pair of scissors.
Rip the fabric into strips using the cut marks as a starting point for the tear.
Cut a piece of jute twine 12″ longer than the desired length for your garland.
Tie a loop in one end of the twine.
Fold the fabric strips in half and attach them to the jute twine in the order you prefer for your finished piece.
Tightly wrap a piece of scotch tape around the opposite end of the jute twine to prevent it from fraying. Use this end to place beads onto the garland as you go.
When you have filled all but 6″ of the jute twine length with fabric and beads, in a way that pleases you, tie a loop in the other end.
Where To Display A Fall Rag Tie Garland
Probably the greatest thing about a fall rag tie garland is how versatile it is for decorating your home. This simple fabric garland can bring a festive feel to any room in the house.
It can be hung absolutely anywhere that pleases you. It can be stretched straight out or it can be draped, depending on the look you’re going for. And it can be displayed alone or along with other fall decorations.
Here are just a few of the places that this garland will look great in your home …
- On a fireplace mantel
- Above a headboard
- Over a window
- Along a shelf
- On the edge of a table
- Over a mirror
- Above a cork board
- Draped along wainscoting
- Hanging from a chandelier
The sky is the limit. So let your imagination go wild!
Special Occasion Garlands
I know that this post is about making a fall rag tie garland. But I would like to put a bug in your ear, as they say, about making fabric garlands for special occasions before I close.
Fabric garlands are really a nice addition to the decor of just about any special event.
They can be made in any theme. So once again, let your imagination go wild.
Make them for birthday parties, baby showers, bridal showers, holidays, other seasons, garden parties, or any time you want to have something a little more than paper streamers for party decorations.
The great thing about them is that they can be sent home at the end of your celebration with the guest of honor. This is particularly nice when they are made for a baby shower, as the new mom can then use them in her babies nursery if she chooses.
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FALL RAG TIE GARLAND
This simple fall rag tie garland is fun to make. It can be put together in just one afternoon, and it is very easy to do.
Materials
- 5 - 1/2 yard pieces of fall themed material, lightweight cotton
- 63 wooden beads, chunky, with holes large enough to thread jute twine through
- 13' piece of jute twine
- scotch tape
Tools
- scissors
- measuring tape
- pencil
Instructions
- Trim each piece of fabric into a 12" wide strip.
- On the back lower edge of the fabric mark off 1 1/2" increments with a pencil.
- Use a pair of scissors to make a 1/2" - 3/4" slice at each pencil mark.
- Tear off 20 strips of each color fabric, using the cut marks as a guide. Arrange the piles of fabric in the order that you want to add them to your garland.
- If your beads are mix and match seperate them into piles and lay them out in the pattern you want to use to add them to your garland.
- Cut a 13' piece of jute twine and tie a loop into one end of it, using 6" of the twine for the loop.
- Take the first strip of fabric to be added to your garland and fold it in half lengthwise, use your finger to crease the material so that it keeps some of its fold as it's placed on the twine.
- Fold that same piece of fabric in half by width and lay it over the twine so the the loop at the top of it sits about 2" above the twine.
- Take the two tail ends of the strip of fabric and bring them up behind the twine, insert them through the fabric loop, and pull them to secure the fabric strip to the twine. Do not pull too tightly.
- Slide the fabric strip to the end of the jute twine and then pull securely, tighten it to the twine.
- Repeat with the next 4 fabric colors, leaving 5 fabric strips securely tightened to the twine.
- Take a small piece of scotch tape and wrap it around the opposite end of the jute twine. Make it as tight as possible. The idea here is to create a stiff end on the twine so that you can easily thread the beads onto it,
- Thread 3 beads onto the twine and move them to the other end next to the fabric strips.
- Repeat this pattern until you get to the end of the jute twine. End with 5 fabric strips.
- Cut the scotch tape off of the end of the jute twine and tie it off in a loop as you did on the starting end.
- Hang the garland up and trim any really long strings that may be hanging from the bottom of it. No need to over trim, keep the shaggy look.
- Use your fall rag tie garland to decorate around your house this fall.
- Enjoy!
My sister in law is very much into banners and gave us one for birthdays. My wife on the other hand is all about ‘urban homesteading’ and this sounds very much her style
You’ll have to share the post with your wife so she can make a fall themed banner for your home 😉
This is a lovely doable project with craft materials I already have on hand. Looking forward to adding this great idea to my list of DIY fall projects.
Hope you have fun with it! It’s a great way to spend a few hours 😉
This is so simple and fun! I love your style.
Thanks Julie! I think it’s simplicity is what makes it so lovely 😉