Sunday 23 October 2011

Ragtime Christmas Wreath - Christmas Tutorial no.10


Right, from the get go I am going to tell you this is not what I had planned for this weekend but I went on a trip to Hobbycraft looking for a flower loom but could not find one.  However, I did find a polystyrene wreath which I had been after for a while because I wanted to make a slightly different sort of rag wreath this year.  I think that this might be a great hit with the children over half term if you do the fabric cutting in advance and it looks equally good on your front door or hung inside to match your colour scheme.  The other great thing is that this wreath can be used for a number of years and by carefully storing the fabrics you can recycle it throughout the year - which means you will be green without an ounce of greenery!
(Ros confesses - I never have a colour scheme for Christmas, in fact I totally suspend taste so that everything in my Christmas decs box can be used... be honest how else would I find a spot for my salt dough Christmas sheep?)

You will need the following:
A polystyrene wreath or a florist's Oasis wreath
Selection of Christmas fat quarters or other fabric scraps - remember you will be cutting them in squares of 2.5" x 2.5" for smaller wreaths and 3" x 3" for larger wreaths
A chopstick or screwdriver (preferably Phillips)
A metre of Christmas Ribbon
Glue gun (optional)
Iron and Ironing board (go on you know we are using fabric)
Rotary cutter with a pinking wheel or a pair of pinking shears
Cutting mat and ruler
Select your fabrics and iron them - I know it may seem silly to do this when you are going to chop the fabric up but it will give your wreath a much finer and professional finish.
Use your rotary cutter cut out 2.5" or 3" strips, then lay the strips on top of each other and cut across them to make square which are  2.5" x 2.5" for smaller wreaths and 3" x 3" for larger wreaths.  My wreath is about 13.5" in diameter and I used three strips of nine different fat quarters (usually 22" long) cut in 2.5 x 2.5" square and I was struggling at the end to find a space for all the squares.
Now the next bit is down to your artistic eye and design bent... you may want to stripe it, mix it, make it in all one colour.
Take first square and place the piece of fabric with the right side against the point of your chopstick or Phillips and push it into your wreath - yes, it really is that easy.  
Now if you are worried that the fabric will not stay put, dip the tip into a little blob of warm glue... if you use another glue make sure it does not contain a solvent because it will dissolve your wreath!
Continue to build up the squares until none of the wreath shows.  
Take your ribbon and cut out at least a metre.
Double it up, place the ribbon behind the wreath, bring the loop under the wreath and pull the ends of the ribbon through the loop.
Now go and hang it on your front door... and wait for the carol singers to arrive on the doorstep... to admire it!

And now it is time to go over to Wendy's Handmade Monday and see what everyone else has been up to during the past week.  Wendy is coming up to her 100,000th hit... let's see if we can push her through to the other side!



If you want the other traditional strip rag wreath, take a look here.

33 comments:

lovetartan said...

Wow Ros that is gorgeous! Super tutorial too. Mich x

CarolC1 said...

I am off to Hobbycraft tomorrow. I have decided to have a go with soooo many bits of fabric hanging around I can't miss - can I? Especially with such a simply put tute. Thankyou.

Wendy said...

It looks totally fabulous and how amazing that it could be made completely from scraps! Excellent tutorial, as usual. You are the Queen of Tutes!!

Carolee Crafts said...

This tutorial took me back a few years, great to see a revival

Christmas Pie Crafts said...

How lovely it looks - many thanks for sharing the tutorial with us. Very inspiring and feel I definitely must have a go at making one - would look so lovely in one colour as well I think.

Kazies Magical Designs said...

that reef is amazing would never have realise dthat was how it was made fantastic tutorial xxxx

Annie and Lyn said...

Thank you - it looks splendid and I'll have a go at that with my grand-daughter this week.

I've used a rotary cutter for years, but I didn't know you could get one with a pinking wheel!
Oh dear, something else on my 'want list'.

Dawn Woods said...

Amazing, inspirational, think i will get the scissors out this week with my little ens....

B said...

Loverly! (I know, that's not a real word, but it fits somehow.) I know you had fun making it.

Susie said...

OOOO I think I could do this! Thank you! :) Sheesh, Christmas is coming too fast! I had a Halloween project I was going to blog and it is still sitting on the counter trying to dry, plus I don't think it's working. :( At least your wreath cheered me up. :)

Planet Penny said...

That's so pretty, and a really good way of using scraps, in fact both your wreaths are gorgeous, and the tutorial lovely and clear. You might be interested in the Christmas Swag I did a couple of years ago, it's similar, but different!
Penny x

Jan said...

I like the idea of being able to hang it indoors just as well as outdoors, a lovely idea. I really must invest in a rotary wheel.
A great tutorial Ros.

Jan x

Caroline Lovis (Redneedle) said...

Excellent tutorial but now you've given me a dilemma as to which of your rag wreaths I should make. Both so pretty. Thanks for sharing Ros x

Helen said...

Ros you are so clever! That wreath looks very pretty. One for the future for the girls i think!

Mrs A. said...

Gorgeous and thanks for the very easy understandable turtorial. Hugs Mrs A.

Handbags by Helen said...

Now, I do like that!

Whitney-Anne Baker said...

dead impressive! I had no idea rotary cutters has pinking bits on them - must have one!

Anonymous said...

wow - what patience you have- looks really Christmassy!

PuppyFly Boutique said...

Now, I don't usually like to think about school during half term but it's hard to find things like this where every child could contribute. Must store this away in my brain for a few weeks time! Thanks for making it so easy to follow! Anna x

butterflyblossom said...

Wow I love the wreath what a fantastic idea although I am not sure I have the patience to complete something like this and some of those tools look like they might teach me a thing or two if I step out of line!! Such a good tutorial though thank you for sharing!

Krazy Krafts said...

wow,love it,I am going to give it a try.

Made in Suisse said...

Great tutorial! I need to find time between now and Christmas to try all of the fab tutorials/idea being shared over on Wendy's blog...you're such a fab crowd!

Pickle Lily said...

Another lovely tutorial - thank-you again! Went to Hobbycraft on Monday with P we didn't get back to gone 5pm (we left the house at 8.15am!!!) Did do lots of girly shopping as well though!
Jo x

Anonymous said...

An absolutely fab make - it looks gorgeous and something my kids to help with too. It probably will not look anywhere near as good as yours if they get involved but will still have pride of place on our door

C said...

Fabulous wreath...a great way to use scraps too. Win:win.

Anonymous said...

I missed this and love it - thanks for sharing. Of to find polystyrene wreath :)

Martha said...

fabulous ideas! thanks for sharing. i feel tempted to do my own!

Unknown said...

I'm envious of your talent with fabric and sewing. Ihave a bundle of fabric upstairs and however much I try to make gift bags it doesn't go too well!

So I settle on making bubble bars!

Thanks for the comment on bath Bomb Creations!

Lesley

Make handmade said...

Great tutorial! thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

I've just made one of these wreaths with green and silver foil paper instead of rags. Its fab! Thank you for the idea! :) Katherin, UK

Anonymous said...

I have made a tree out of the squares. Use a styroform shape cone but be careful when you do the top of the cone.

annewalker said...

Your wreath lookd so festive, yet fresh and beautiful! I'd like to try one or two this year in our house. Looking forward to seeing the rest of your Christmas wreaths ideas!

Marie @ Substance of Living said...

What a beautiful wreath! I love that it is so easy and a great use of all my scrap fabric lying around.

Thank you for sharing.

Cheers,
Marie