Rustic Rag Wreath

Use up your old fabric scraps and create a Rustic Rag Wreath for your home. Country craft ideas can transform any space into a relaxing hideout. Use old rags and a cotton clothesline to construct your own handmade wreath. Wrap the "boa" around a square picture frame to create an square wreath that's unlike anything you've ever seen. Break out of the mold and try something different - you'll love the look of this amazing country craft.


 

Materials:

• Assorted fabric scraps
• Scissors
• Measuring tape
• Picture frame
• Cotton clothesline
• Masking tape
• Craft wire
• Wire cutters

Instructions:

1. Cut several 1/4 inch to 1 inch wide strips from a variety of fabric scraps. I used cutter quilt scraps and chenille bedspread scraps left over from previous projects. I cut enough strips to firmly fill a shoebox.
   
   
   
   Note: The amount of strips needed and the length of the boa will be determined by the thickness of the fabrics used, the size of the frame and the circumference around one of the frame rails. A good rule of thumb is to cut more strips than you think you will need.
   
   For Reference: The frame I used in this project had a 9-inch-wide by 12-inch-long inside opening and an 11-inch-wide by 14-inch-long outside edge. The circumference of the rails was 5 inches.
    
2. Measure around the outside edges of the frame and multiply by two. Cut a length of cotton clothesline using this measurement. This should be plenty of clothesline for this project, but if it isn't, more clothesline can be tied to the end to extend it.
    
3. Tie a knot 5 inches from one end of the clothesline. This will prevent your rag strips from sliding off.
   
   
    
4. Make the boa. Mix the strips to separate and distribute the different fabrics. Starting at the knot, tie one strip at a time around the clothesline until the strips are approximately 24 inches from the other end.
   
   
    
5. Wrap the beginning end of the rag boa around one rail of the frame. Tape the end on the back to hold in place. Continue to wind the boa around the rails until the end of the boa meets the beginning. If they don't meet, add more strips to the extra clothesline until the ends do meet. Tie the ends together in a knot on the back of the frame to secure. Cut off the excess clothesline.
   
   
    
6. Rip a 3 inch wide by 24 inch long strip of cotton fabric that coordinates with your fabric scrap colors. I used tea-dyed muslin for my wreath. Tie the wreath into a large bow and trim the ends as desired.
    
7. Cut a 12 inch length of craft wire using wire cutters. Thread the wire through the back of the bow's knot. Position the bow on the wreath where desired. Wrap the wire ends to the back of the wreath and twist them together to secure. Clip off the excess craft wire.
    
8. Hang the wreath from the frame itself, or add a loop of fabric for a hanger.