One of my favorites is my hand made garland. I used stockings and stars on mine but you can really use any shapes that you like. So here's what you'll need, different colored felt squares, you can find them at any craft store, I used red, green, and off white. Then I find some big sequins, on this particular garland I stuck to red and green with coordinating seed beads. You'll also need some 1" wide christmas ribbon for the trim on the stockings (sheers won't work, you'll need something substantial). . How many shapes you will need depends on the space you are making it for and what length of garland you will need. I found the shapes simply by googling star pattern and stocking pattern. You'll find tons of options for whatever shapes you choose to make.
Start by cutting out your shapes. For the stocking I use two pieces of felt and sew them together so that they open up like a real stocking (totally optional, I just think its looks a little better). So first cut out the two sides of the stocking and choose your ribbon trim for the top. Sew the ribbon along the top of each side the stocking then sew the two stocking cut outs together using coordinating thread.
For the stars I do them double sided as well to hide the stitching. Here's how I did it...Cut out the star shapes and choose your desired color of sequin and seed bead. For those who don't know how to attach sequins...place a sequin in the desired location on the felt and place one seed bead on top, thread the needle through the sequin and bead, then come back through on the opposite side of the bead going back through the sequin hole, this will secure them in place. I do some of my stars with a border of sequins, on these I do the same sequin pattern on both sides. Others I cover entirely in sequins, these i leave one side plain felt. So sequin whatever pattern you choose on one, or both, sides of the stars and then sew the back and front together with coordinating thread.
Once the shapes are complete attach a thin ribbon to the top of each, on the point of the stars and on the top left corner of the stocking, so they hang right. Then slide each ornament along a coordinating ribbon of your choice, you will need to measure your space to determine the length needed. You can either tie a knot or put a stich through the ribbons to secure them in place on the garland ribbon.
And viola you are done and have a beautiful hand made garland for your home! I tack mine to the trim with clear thumb tacks. You can also use the felt ornaments to hang on your tree or sometimes I attach them to presents as well.
Happy Holidays!!
