Paper garlands can be used to dress up your space, decorate your home for the holidays, or make special occasions more festive.The circular garlands look like professional decorations and the no-sew version is great for a simple craft with your kids.If you want to liven up your space with a little project, try creating your own garland.
Step 1: Cut 1 by 10 in strips from 2 pieces of paper.
Pick out at least 2 pieces of construction paper.Using a pair of sharp scissors, cut out strips that are at least 1 in ( 2.5 cm) wide and as long as the sheet of paper.The length and width of the strips can be adjusted according to your preference.You can use red and pink pieces of paper for a baby shower, or use green and red for Christmas.You can just eyeball it as you cut them out, because they don't have to be the exact same size.
Step 2: Attach the ends of a strip and glue them together.
Bring the ends of the strip of paper together to form a closed circle.Attach the ends with a glue stick.Hold the loop closed for a short time to let the glue dry.If you don't have a glue stick, use clear tape or a stapler.
Step 3: Glue the ends of the second strip through the first loop.
If you want to form a second loop, take another strip of paper and run it through the first loop.Attach the ends of the second loop with a glue stick.Pick a different color for the second loop if you're going for alternating colors.
Step 4: You should keep adding loops until you run out of strips.
Continue running each strip of paper through the previous loop and then connecting it to make a loop.Attach each piece of paper with a glue stick.If you want your garlands to be a bit longer, just cut more strips of paper and make more loops.
Step 5: The garland can be hung with a nail or a push pin.
The garland can be draped over a tree, patio, column, or piece of furniture.You can hang the loops over the pushpin on the wall if you want to.These paper garlands are great for classroom decorations, birthday parties, and even your own home.
Step 6: Cut the card stock into circles.
To stencil out circles that are about 3 inches in diameter, you need a water bottle or the bottom of a glass.Cut them out with scissors.The thicker cardstock will keep its shape better.It's possible to use patterned cardstock in alternating colors for a cool effect.To really catch the eye, go for some metallic cardstock.
Step 7: The circles should be arranged in the order you want them to hang.
If you want your circles to go in chronological order, organize them on a flat surface.Start from the top and work your way down.You can use 5 to 20 circles for each strand.
Step 8: A straight stitch is used to sew down the center of a circle.
Place your first circle on your sewing machine and use white thread to set your needle.As you get to the end of the paper, sew directly down the middle.The regular strength thread on the sewing needle should be sufficient for stitching through the thick cardstock.
Step 9: The thread will be created by pumping the needle 10 times.
When you reach the end of the circle, use the knob on the side of your sewing machine to move the needle up and down 10 times.The thread will be floating after the initial circle.The knob on the side gives you more control than the foot pedal, which is why you should use it to create the extra length.
Step 10: Keep stitching as you place the second circle down.
Place your next circle behind the thread you just sewed.You can connect it to the first circle by stitching down the center of it.It is okay if you don't get the stitches directly down the circle.For an even strand, try to make them as centered as possible.
Step 11: When you are happy with the length of your wreath, add more circles.
Stitch about 10 times in between the circles.Tie the thread at the bottom of the strand to keep it in place.
Step 12: The garland can be hung with either a push pin or double-sided tape.
Place the top of your garland on a door frame or wall, then use a push pin or tape to hang it up.You can add more strands next to it for an interactive doorway or a fun picture wall.If you want to make a fun background for people to take photos, hang up your strands in front of a white wall.
Step 13: 50 3 in circles are cut from tissue paper.
A package of tissue paper can be folded into thirds.Use the bottom of a bowl or a cup to make circles in pencil, then use scissors to cut them out of tissue paper.You don't have to cut out each circle individually if you fold the tissue paper.Try using multiple colors of tissue paper.
Step 14: Group the circles with 10.
Pick up the circles you cut out and put them in stacks of 10.If you are using multiple colors of tissue paper, you can change the colors in each stack.If you want to make a purple gradient, you should try 2 stacks of dark purple, light purple and white.Each stack should have red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple.
Step 15: The needle has about 6 feet of thread.
You can cut a 6 ft strand of sewing thread with a sharp sewing needle.Tie a knot at the end of the thread that isn't touching the needle after putting it through the eye.You can use any color of sewing thread you want.
Step 16: The needle should be pushed through the center of the stack.
Line your needle up so it is in the center of your stack of tissue paper circles.Push the needle through the circles to the other side.If your needle is sharp, you should be able to push through the tissue paper.
Step 17: The same thing should be done to the rest of the paper.
Push the needle through the centers of the rest of your stacks.You can't take them off again if you add the stacks in the order you want them to hang.
Step 18: Spread out the circles so they are about 2.5 cm apart.
The thread should be laid down on a flat surface.Keep in mind that the circles need to be spread out so that they overlap on the edges.The tissue paper circles will be spread out over the thread for a cute decoration.
Step 19: Attach the thread to the paper with a dot of glue.
Take a bottle of liquid school glue and align the tip with the hole that the thread pokes through the circle.To hold the paper in place, add a dot of glue to the circle on top of the thread.Being careful not to get glue anywhere else, keep doing this to each circle.This will prevent the circles from falling to the bottom of the garland.
Step 20: The paper can be secured by tying the end of the thread in a double knot.
Take the needle off the thread and tie a double knot at the end of the garland.Make sure the circles are secure by setting your garland aside for about an hour.The paper circles could fall off if you hang the garland too early.
Step 21: The garland can be hung on a wall or doorway.
Place the top of the garland against the wall or doorway.Attach it to your area with a push pin, nail, or double-sided tape.If you want to make a cute decoration, add more strands of the garland.You can make it pop by hanging it in front of a white backdrop.