What Did You Do? Wednesdays

Calling all fall fanatics, adventurous organizers, exercise procrastinators, perfectionists unable to make a move unless they're certain it will turn out with ultimate precision, messy Marvins, and any other category you put yourself in ~ stop by each Wednesday and share what you did that week. Big things, little things, adventurous things, nothin' much things, somethin' special things....doesn't matter.

Share your just one thing on What Did You Do? Wednesdays!


Thursday, March 25, 2010

Stuffed Garland

Last night I got wind of this challenge.  It really was late, and I was Practically Spent, so I put it out of my mind.  But my subconscious sometimes knows me better than I do, and at 4pm today, an idea popped into my head.  Before I knew what hit me, I was in action.  I guess I just can't turn down a good challenge, especially where prizes are involved.  Here, then, is my Living With Lindsay $5 Challenge entry.

I made this garland for my daughter's bedroom window, but I have so many ideas about the fabric that could be used and where it could be hung, that it's an endless world of garland wonder.

It's a nice, little spring pick me up, and it cost me under $5, no problem.  Here are the supplies I used:

I had gotten the fabric as a remnant at Jo-Ann's a while back.  It was just a little strip, costing $.87.  I had the pins and scissors.  Although I used a rotary cutter to cut the strips, surely a scissors would have been just fine since it's not a super exact project.


I also used a pack of ribbon from Target's dollar spot, but I had gotten it at 50% off.....probably after last Easter.  You can use any type of yarn, twine, string, ribbon to tie the garland balls to.  I used two colors of yarn.  The white I got from the Hospice Thrift Store for $.99, and the lavender was given to me in a bag full of unwanted craft leftovers from a friend.  You will also need some stuffing.  I had a bag of opened but barely used batting that I had gotten at a massive annual garage sale in my community last June ($.25).  But anything from tissue paper to cotton balls to Sunday newspaper ads will work.


You will be making fabric tubes, and you can choose any size you like, but I cut mine 4"x7".  I cut 6 of these 4"x7" strips in order to make a total of 12 tubes.


Next, put the right sides together.  Pin the long 7" sides, and sew these 7" sides only using a few back stitches at each end.


Trim the extra thread.  Now you have a tube that you will turn inside out so the right side is back on the outside where you can see it.


Lay your yarn out on a flat surface and pull your sewn tube at desired intervals of where you'd like them to hang, making sure to keep enough yarn at the ends for hanging.

In this picture you can see how one has already been fed on the yarn and stuffed, and the other is still just the tube of fabric.


Position your tube with the yarn now running through it with the seams on the top and bottom.

Next it's time to fill the tube.  What I did was put a bunch both above and below the yarn to help balance how it hung.  Again, keep your seams positioned on the top and bottom.  Get your fingers in there and bunch it around how ever you need to.

When you're done filling the tube, all you need to do is tie the ends with the ribbon of your choice.





I can envision this project in a laundry room done with fabric from a man's shirt, or in a kitchen with an old, red gingham table cloth.  It would be cute in a baby's room created from a fuzzy towel, or on a mantle made with any sort of fabric that fits your decor.

Having accepted this challenge, I can safely say that I came it on budget at a whopping $2.61.  The massive hug I got from A. and the gasp she gave as she looked up at the garland from her bed and said, "Ooooooo ~ I looooove it, Mom!  Thank you."......priceless.

11 comments:

Holly Lefevre said...

Fun take on the $5 challenge. I like your idea and all the other options you also give at the bottom.
Holly
504 Main

Decor To Adore said...

What a great project! You are one crafty and creative gal. Happy Spring!

Valencia Jones-Edwards said...

Wow that is really a creative garland!

M said...

Very cute idea! My favorite part, however, is when you said that "a scissors" would work in place of the rotary cutter. I've noticed this with my MN and WI friends...its not just "scissors" its "a scissors." Why is this? :)

creativejewishmom.com said...

Great idea! I just love the notion of a garland that's not flat! Thanks so much for linking up on Craft Schooling Sunday, hope to see you again next week!

LuckyStarErin said...

Wow! I like this idea! I am a fabric junkie so this would be a great way to use some of my stash. Thanks for linking at LSL.

Nicole said...

That is so pretty! What a great job and for only a few dollars is pretty awesome. I admire your use of a sewing machine, my mom got me and my sister each one for xmas, but I haven't learned how to use it yet! One of these days I'll learn how:)

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

What a fun project! I love the fabric you used!

Thanks so much for linking it up to my party!

XOXO
Jen

Lori said...

This turned out so cute.

Thanks for joining Get Your Craft on Thursday. Please join me next week for another wonderful party!!

Please stop by next week I am having guest over each day and I would love for you to tell them HI!

RootsAndWingsCo said...

I always love finding ways to use up my fabric remnants, or to add some fabric into a room! Great way to do this!
Rebecca of the R&W Gals

Thanks for joining my linky party!

Anonymous said...

looks great!

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