Think Crafts Blog – Craft Ideas and Projects – CreateForLess

By Kid’s Craft Contributor, Gillian from the blog “Dried Figs and Wooden Spools”.

Here’s a fun little project that uses up materials you probably have around the house and brings a whole lot of cheer and love! These little garlands are made from newspaper and really nothing more, but the layering and folding of the shapes turns something that usually ending up in the recycling bin into something pretty and charming in no time flat.

Here’s what you need:

Newspaper
Pencil
Scissors
Scrap of cardstock
Sewing machine and notions (including white thread)

1. Cut a heart (or star or whatever shape you like) out of the cardstock. This will serve as your template. It’s important to have the shapes as close to identical as possible, so a template is a must.

2. Trace the template onto the newsprint. You’ll need two shapes for each piece on the garland.

3. Stack two shapes on top of one another, making sure the edges are aligned.

4. Starting at the top of one stack, stitch down the very center of the shape, allow for a few stitches between and then start the next stack.

5. Once you have all your stacks sewn onto the chain, trim the threads at the bottom (the to can be used for hanging) Fold each layer in half along the stitch line, but in opposite directions. So the top halves fold up to meet each other and the bottom pieces fold down to meet each other. This creates a 3D effect.

6. Hang and enjoy!