Easter Rag Wreath

I’ve been in love with every rag wreath I’ve seen on lots of blogs. It’s a simple concept – cut or tear material into strips, make knots on chosen wreath form, voila a wreath.  My craft today is my version of a rag wreath for spring and Easter.  Many blogs have shared various versions of a rag wreath using different knots. I’ve seen really a pretty wreath with just tied bows all over it.  I remember seeing a wreath where the strip of material was folded and the ends were pulled though the loop.  Sorry I don’t remember where I saw that. Let’s just say I forgot the KISS principle (K keep I it S simple S stupid), and began to complicate my wreath. It took time but I’m very happy with the result.

 

 

 

 

The inspiration for the wreath began in January. I was re-organizing a closet and went through boxes of decorations and crafting supplies. I threw away, gave away, and kept items.  I made a promise to myself that I would use some vintage clothes in the first half of this year in some craft. Today’s wreath is based on a vintage cotton sundress with a full circle skirt and little matching jacket in printed pastels.  My sister and I have both worn it and enjoyed it. It was a great work dress in Miami during the intense heat and humidity of summer.  Now neither of us can fit into it.  But I kept it – first thinking I’m going to lose weight and get back into it. Then saving it for maybe a quilt, throw? Something. The material was so pretty. Pastel pinks, blues, greens, yellow, grey, and white are the perfect colors for spring.

 

 

 

 

I measured and cut the jacket, the top of the dress, and then over half of the skirt into 1″ wide by 8″ long strips. Many sewing experts measure and cut out the strips. One blogger made cuts and then pulled to tear up the side for a real rag effect.  I tried that method. I cut the material with a straight edge. I measured and made a cut every 1″ going down the edge.  I measured and cut another edge at 8″.  Then I pulled the the 1″ cuts to tear a side seam.  You can remove the loose threads and use it for a country rag look I like. Otherwise you can measure and cut all sides for a neater look. I also think it must be a lot easier when you start with a square or rectangle of material versus a sewn article of clothing with seams and circles.

 

 

 

 

I bought a metal wreath form at Dollar Tree. I folded my strip in half lengthwise. I put the looped end under the wire ring; I started on the outer ring.

 

 

I pulled the cut ends over the wire and through the loop. For me putting it in the left side of the loop made a prettier little knot.  They resemble little men’s ties to me.  The jacket and sundress top strips almost covered the outside ring.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After I had done the 2 outside rings, I began to experiment with a couple of sizes of strips to do the inner 2 rings.  I wanted a sort of border effect like when I used to crochet baby afghans, I used a different stitch for an edging.  I liked a 2″ inch wide strip that was 10″ long.  I tried bows but didn’t like them.

 

 

 

 

I choose to do a plain knot (sometimes I did a double knot)  with the strip going over the 2 inner rings.

 

 

 

Then I moved the knot to the back of the metal ring at the bottom.

 

 

 

 

I kept the ends of the strips pulled through to the front. I like the gathered look and the ends looked great with the outside knots.

 

 

I love to wander through thrift stores and last summer I found a wooden Easter bunny hanging from a wire hanger for 89 cents.  I thought he would be cute hanging from the inner rings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I ran some material though the metal hanger and over the 2 inner rings.

 

 

 

 

 

Instead of knotting the material I overlapped ends in the back and added 2 staples.  If I want to use the wreath after Easter, I will remove the staples and pull the material off the rings.  Then I’ll just have a pretty pastel wreath.  I continued making knots on both sides so the hanging wooden bunny was in the middle of that section.

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you enjoyed seeing how I made my wreath. It only cost me $1.89.  I’m ready for Spring!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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