Friday, November 28, 2008

rag wreath

It was time for a new Christmas wreath at our place...

I love to place a wreath on the front door for the holiday season. I bought a really nice simple one, several years back... but last year I had to throw it away. Our front door gets a strong dose of morning sunlight - remember - I'm in Australia... so Christmas time is SUMMER. Anyway, the embellishments on the wreath were made from coated styrene, and they cracked, popped and exploded last season.

Of course I didn't actually throw the wreath away. The decorations are gone, but I have kept the base. I was planning to re-decorate it for this Christmas... but then I had a change of heart, and decided to make a rag wreath instead!

finished wreath on door

Because of the strong morning light, I was concerned that my colours would fade too quickly. So I decided to make this up in very neutral tones.

Bad move...

I hate it!

Well... I don't actually hate it... it's just not very ME. It's subtle and neutral, and OUT OF PLACE on my front door! I need colour

So, I will be making another one... with a bit more life to it.

EDITED TO ADD PHOTOS OF OTHER SCRAP WREATHS I HAVE MADE

PB160010

bright rag wreath

But for the moment, I will show you how this one came together. It's a very simple process.

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I have a plentiful supply of rag balls here, so I grabbed a handful in the colours which I wanted (or thought that I wanted)

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marked out a large circle on a piece of strong cardboard

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and a smaller one inside

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cut out the ring shape

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started to tie on the rag pieces

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added some more

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and some more

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just to give you an idea how the back looks at this point...

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then tied on some more rag strips until it was full

I made a twisted cord from rags, tied it into a bow... and stitched it into place... click here for twisted cord instructions

I've also trimmed the tails on some of the rags to a shorter length.

Fast - Fun - Easy - which is good news for me, since I now want to re-make it in a more colourful manner!

17 comments:

  1. I understand why you may not like it but I love it!

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  2. you can use fabric paint... or add those wooden rings(with color rags tied or painted) or just add extra fabic or get some plant matter, tree branches sticks

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  3. I'm afraid I agree with you. It is subtle and for me Christmas is big and brash. Great idea though - I wonder if I can make one with strips cut out of our odd or holey socks. I've been saving them up for a rag rug but it hasn't quite happened yet (and no, our socks could never be described as subtle so I don't need to worry about it looking washed out!)

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  4. Iee, after all your bags, can't imagine your house neutral. BTW, have started the crochet hook holder....am doing 3 small ones for 3 different types ie bamboo, metal and metallic. V.excited! Now have to prioritise again for projects!

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  5. It's very elegant, but doesn't really match your crazy yarn, lol.

    Fabulous idea though - which of course I will be adding to my (incredibly long) list of projects to do...as soon as I've finished this christmas present.

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  6. That looks a LOT better than a wreath I made a few years ago. Dark green garbage bags were cut into strips and tied around a coat hanger stretched out into a circle. I'd seen it done elsewhere but mine just looked like - well - garbage!

    Perhaps if I'd used a cardboard base like yours, cut each strip a lot shorter and packed them tighter together the effect would have been better.

    At least a lesson was learned...

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  7. This is a fantastic idea, I would never had thought to do something like this....I have just started a line of colourful tiny crochet Christmas stockings that I am planning on hanging across the doorway....I love Christmas and all the decos that go with it....I am also in Australia so know why you chose natural colours but I can't wait to see your colourful version!

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  8. misha - thanks :)

    devi - ooohhhh... some fabulous ideas there... thank you

    whatsonox - good plan... a sock wreath would certainly be unique... I would LOVE to see that

    bec - lol! I'm excited about the hook holders too

    sam - so true... I almost felt like a FRAUD with that wreath on my door!

    tess - I had always wanted to try one of those garbage bag wreaths... some of them looked very effective

    emjaylas mum - yay! another aussie :) I like the sound of the mini stocking garland... thanks for stopping by!

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  9. They look great. I was think of doing something similar with those big curtain rings, using a chain to link them together after they are decorated with a xmas reef type of thing, if you can picture it?

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  10. cat - sounds interesting... I will be keeping an eye on your blog to see how it turns out

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  11. I followed the link here, this is brilliant, I have added it to my favourites, thank you for sharing this with us!

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  12. I made a "rag wreath" except that I used a floral wreath frame and made it a color wheel as well.

    http://flickr.com/photos/21833648@N06/3093422335/

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  13. jacqui - I popped over to your blog and took a look... the colour wheel concept is gorgeous :)

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  14. Thanks for the inspiration! Hope it doesn't freak you out that you popped into my head this morning at 3:30 am...although I guess it was afternoon your time, so it's not so odd. Anyway, the rag wreath I made as a gift card holder for my son's teacher was a huge hit. You rock. :)

    http://aimeewrites.wordpress.com/2008/12/19/as-a-bee/

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  15. aimee - I just took a peek at your rag wreath... not surprised it was a hit... it is magnificent!

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  16. I really love it. Thanks for sharing, I so want to make one!

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