Sunday, May 29, 2016

How to Make a Patriotic Rag Wreath

So remember last week I told you I was studying for a test on Friday?  Well, I took the test and I passed it! YAY!  Today I have the project I hinted about to show you.
I love red, white and blue.....always have.  I have no idea why I didn't already have a patriotic wreath to hang on the front door, but I didn't.  I finally made one!  I'd been seeing everyone's wreaths made with bandanas and I thought that was such a cute idea, so I went that way with it.
I found my straw wreath form at the thrift store for $2.50 and my bandanas at Walmart for $1 each.  I ended up using 2 reds, 2 whites and 1 blue.  The amount of bandanas will vary on how tight you place the pieces on the wreath form.
Mark your bandana at 2 inch sections.  I used a white pen so I could see the marks, but a sharpie would work too.  I made marks on both edges, the edge closes to me and then on the opposite side so I would know where to cut to. 
After you have all your long strips cut, stack them one on top the other and then cut into 2 inch squares like you see here.  They do not have to be perfect squares, just close.  I picked out all the ones that were solid red to use at the last if I needed them, just my preference though.  Imma a weirdo!
I used some washi tape to mark my sections and then wrote with a sharpie to guide me as to what color goes in that section.
I didn't notice until I was editing these pictures that you can't even see what I'm using to push the little squares in with! Gosh!

I used a really small phillips head screwdriver.  You can also use a wooden skewer if you want to.  Just try and place the screwdriver in the center of the little square holding the ends with your fingers.  It takes some getting used to, but you'll get the hang of it!
I pushed in each square pretty close to one another so it would look full.  NOTE:  I didn't fill the back of the wreath, but I did add squares down into the center edge and tried to make a straight line along the outside edge.
I just worked one section at a time, filling in all of one color and then going on to the next.
All ready for the blue section now.  I was just loving how this was looking at this point!
Stars are optional, but I chose to add some.  I used my Cricut machine and my George cartridge for may stars, but you could always draw some and cut them out too.  I used heavy white card stock for my stars.  I used the following sizes of stars: 1", 1 1/4" and 1 1/2".  I glued them on with hot glue.
As an after thought I added a hanger.  I just used the solid white strip from one of the bandanas.  I folded it in half with free edges to the back/inside and hot glued it to the wreath form.
I really love how it turned out and now its proudly hanging on the front door waiting to greet anyone who happens upon our doorstep!
Do you decorate for Memorial Day or just wait until the Fourth of July?  Did you make a patriotic wreath, if so, I'd like to see yours too!

It doesn't have to be done all at once.  It is a slow process in the works! C-ya next time!

I'm Linking to:
These lovely and FUN parties!
Between Naps on the Porch

Pin It!

6 comments:

  1. I love this wreath! So pretty! Thank you for sharing. You are one of the features at the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Here is the link to this week's party. http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/2016/06/make-pretty-monday-week-179.html Have a happy week ahead. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much Kathryn! I was so surprised to see my wreath there when I made my regular visit to join your awesome party! Have a great week! :)

      Delete
  2. Thanks for sharing this at my Creative Ways Link Party! I love how you used bandanas for this wreath. Simply adorable!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for sharing this post at the Pin Me Linky Party at Diana Rambles. It is being featured today at part of a 4th of July food & craft collection. It's also been pinned and tweeted. Have a great weekend! ~Diana

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is super cute!! I've been decorating for July and I'm loving the patriotic theme so much that I'm keeping this decor theme way into the summer and probably won't redecorate until October lol. I just finished a rag wreath made with strips tried onto a wire frame for my door but now I want one of these for inside as well! Thank you for the inspiration....visiting you from Farmhouse Friday Linky Party!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi there! Thanks so much and you're very welcome! I leave my RWB up all Summer as well, its one of my favorite holidays to decorate for! :)

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting Clover House and taking the time to leave a comment! We LOVE comments and suggestions! Have a lovely day! :)

01 09 10