Easiest craft ever: a Festive fabric Garland for Christmas

Marie Overton
Nov 26
3 min read

The holiday season calls for decorations that bring warmth and charm to your home. A fabric garland offers a simple, budget-friendly way to add a cozy, handmade touch to your Christmas décor. This project uses fabric scraps to create a colorful, textured garland that suits any style, from rustic farmhouse to vibrant modern. Whether you want to decorate your mantel, staircase, or Christmas tree, making a fabric garland is a fun and satisfying craft that anyone can do.

Gather Your Fabric Garland Materials

Colorful fabric garland decorates a wooden chest with dark metal accents, creating a festive, warm atmosphere.

Before starting, collect the following supplies:

Fabric scraps: Choose cotton, flannel, or any fabric with a bit of texture. Christmas-themed prints, plaids, or solid colors work well. If it is double sided fabric that is even better.
Scissors: Sharp fabric scissors will make cutting easier. If you don't want it to unravel, use a pinking blade.
Twine or string of lights: Natural jute twine adds rustic charm, but you can use ribbon or yarn. I often use a string of 100 LED Christmas lights.
Measuring tape or ruler: To cut strips evenly.

Using leftover fabric from old clothes, sheets, or craft stores keeps this project eco-friendly and affordable.

Cut Fabric Strips

Cut your fabric into strips 1 inch wide and 6 inches long. The length depends on how full you want your garland to look. Longer strips create bigger knots and a fluffier appearance. You can mix different widths and lengths for a more textured look.

Hands using a paper cutter on red snowflake-patterned paper against a wooden surface, ruler marking measurements, focused setting.

For my light strand, I cut 51 strips of 6 different fabrics.

Try to keep the strips consistent in size for a neat finish, but don’t worry if they vary slightly. The fabric garland’s charm comes from its handmade, imperfect style.

Ironing pink ribbon strips on a red towel, with a white iron labeled "ANTI CALC" and "Rowenta," on a wooden table background.

If I have any strips with wrinkles in them still, I press those out now.

Prepare the Twine Base

Decide how long you want your garland to be. Measure and cut the twine or string accordingly, leaving a few extra inches at each end for hanging.

Lay the twine flat on a table or floor. This will be your base where you tie the fabric strips.

Hands unravel green string lights on a wooden table. Person wears a gray sweater. Indoor setting with a neutral background.

If I am using the lights and I fold it in half and hold it together with green twist ties.

Hands untangling string of green Christmas lights on wooden surface; person wears a gray sleeve. Red packaging visible in corner.

I place 6 strips of fabric between each set of lights.

Tie the Fabric Strips to the Twine

Hands tying a red ribbon with white snowflakes around Christmas lights on a wooden table. Stacks of patterned fabric strips nearby.

Take one fabric strip and fold it in half. Place the folded end under the twine, then pull the loose ends over the twine and through the loop created by the fold. Pull tight to secure the knot around the twine.

Hands tying colorful fabric strips onto green holiday lights on a wooden table. Strips are red, green, and white with various patterns.

Repeat this process, pushing each knot close to the previous one to create a full garland. Alternate colors and patterns to create a festive, eye-catching design.

If you want a more secure garland, you can add a small stitch or dab of hot glue to each knot, but this is optional.

Add Decorative Elements

To make your fabric garland even more festive, consider adding:

Small bells tied between fabric strips
Pinecones attached with twine
Sprigs of evergreen tucked into knots
Wooden beads threaded onto the twine before tying fabric

These additions bring texture and seasonal scents, enhancing the garland’s appeal.

Festive garland of multicolored fabric strips and fairy lights draped over a wooden chest with metal bands, creating a cozy atmosphere.

Hang Your Garland

Use the extra twine at each end to hang your garland on a mantel, staircase railing, window frame, or across a doorway. The rag garland is lightweight and easy to move, so you can change its location throughout the season.

If hanging outdoors, choose weather-resistant fabric or bring the garland inside during bad weather.

It is recommended that you not leave the lights on while sleeping or away from the house due to using fabric and electrical equipment together.

Tips for Success

Wash and iron fabric scraps before cutting to avoid shrinking or fraying later.
Use contrasting colors for a bold look or stick to a color palette for a coordinated style.
Make extra strips to add fullness or to replace any that get damaged.
Store your garland in a breathable bag to keep it fresh for next year.

Creating a fabric garland is a rewarding way to personalize your Christmas decorations. It uses simple materials and basic tying techniques, making it accessible for all skill levels. Plus, it’s a great way to reuse fabric scraps and reduce waste during the holidays.