Christmas Rag Wreath Craft

This has to be my very favorite craft! It is so fun and fulfilling to create such a beautiful Christmas decoration with your own hands. Picking out the fabrics to use is fun in and of itself, and there are countless different variations you can come up with depending on what fabrics you choose. These wreaths are perfect for decorating your home around the holidays and also make great gifts. I like to make them for my kids' teachers. Who doesn't love and appreciate a homemade gift from the heart? They are also affordable, easy, and quick to create. Win, win, win!

This lens will provide instructions on how to make this fun wreath craft, and keep in mind that you can make these for any other holiday as well. Imagine how pretty this would be with Fall colors for a Thanksgiving wreath. Easter? The possibilities are endless. Be aware that they are quite addictive!

The instructions and other information about how to make this Christmas Rag Wreath are also available on my blog.

Photo Credit: Meridith Zelaya

For other image credits, roll over image

1. 1 1/2 yards each of two fabrics

2. Round styrofoam wreath

3. Craft glue

4. Ribbon

5. Bamboo skewers

Notes: I am not exactly sure of the measurements of the wreaths I use. There are usually two sizes at JoAnn's or Hobby Lobby - big and smaller. For the bigger ones, I use 1 1/2 yards each of two fabrics. Obviously for the smaller ones you would use a bit less. Also, I LOVE Amazing Goop craft glue. It works beautifully for every craft project I do.

Start your project by picking out two different fabrics, about 1 1/2 yards of each. This picture shows the fabrics I picked out for the wreath pictured in the intro of this lens. Also, since this project is meant to be a quick, easy, and cheap craft, think about using any fabric you have laying around the house in lieu of purchasing new fabric. You will also need a round styrofoam wreath, very strong craft glue, some bamboo skewers, and a pretty ribbon that you will use to hang the wreath.

Next, cut the fabric into strips that are roughly 2 inches x 6 inches. Don't worry about measuring the pieces. It is not necessary to have matching pieces and even if the edges are frayed it kind of adds to the overall appeal of the wreath.

Then, simply pop each piece of fabric into place by stabbing them in the middle and into the styrofoam wreath with a skewer. Make sure the vibrant side of the fabric faces up as you do it. The skewer comes out, but the fabric stays in. Place each piece of fabric very close to the next to assure a dense placement of the pieces, so the styrofoam will not show at all. Plus, it just looks better when it is all full and poofy. Cover the whole front of the wreath, the sides, and the inside. Don't worry about the back of the wreath since it won't show anyway. The inside is the hardest part and can be a tiny bit tricky, but all-in-all, this is one of the easiest and prettiest projects I've ever made. It takes about one hour, start to finish.

When you are finished with the wreath, glue a piece of pretty ribbon to the top so you can hang your new Christmas decoration.

Do you prefer store-bought gifts for Christmas or would you rather receive something hand-made?

A couple years ago when I started making these wreaths, I had an idea to host a holiday party in which we all made these wreaths. It was a huge success! Everyone's wreath turned out so unique and different, and we all had so much fun sitting around sipping punch and poking wreaths with skewers.

About a week before the party, I collected $20 from each guest. I used this to pick out their fabric and purchase the wreaths and other necessities. I had asked each person what their preferences were about colors, and then I had SO much fun choosing various Christmas fabrics. So, when everyone arrived for the party, everything was ready to go. My daughter and I went through the steps and some instruction, and we all created our wreaths. Super fun...great idea... highly recommended!