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How to Make a Rag Wreath

January 28, 2021 By Lisa Sharp 15 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Click here for full disclosure and privacy policy.

Jump to How-To

A rag wreath is a simple and frugal DIY decor project that even kids can do. You can make them for everyday use or use them for Christmas decor. One of the wreaths featured in this post used the fabric I was given from Andover.

Christmas rag wreath on front door

I made my first rag wreath in grade school with a group of friends for a homeschool project. I’m not sure I actually finished mine at that point but I did at least learn how to make them and that has come in handy.

A few years ago I made one using Little House on the Prairie fabric from Andover. I’m a big Litle House on the Prairie fan and have read several of the books and watched every episode of the show multiple times. 

Rag Wreath using Little House on the Prairie fabric

I’ve been using the one I made years ago for a Christmas wreath for many years now and since then we have moved houses and I wanted a different one to use in my kitchen. 

I decided to find some fabric that would look good in my kitchen and ended up deciding to use Riley Blake Pixie Noel fabrics. They were in red and aqua which are the colors in my kitchen so it’s perfect.

How to Make a Rag Wreath

fabric, wreath form and scissors

I ordered a bundle of 6 fat quarters and that worked perfectly. The set I ordered on Etsy is no longer available but there are some similar ones. I love using Etsy for fat quarters because you can find some really great bundles and they are affordable.

These wreaths are very easy to make, you are just cutting fabric strips and tying them to a wire wreath form so you can whip up several pretty easily. You can also use scrap fabric found at thrift stores and a wire hanger shaped in a circle to make it really cheap. 

Christmas rag wreath on front door

They are also great Christmas gifts or if you like to sell things at craft fairs they work wonderfully for that as well. You can make a nice profit on these if you use cheap fabrics. 

Halloween Rag Wreath

Halloween rag wreath on blue door

I have also made different ones for different holidays. I have one that I made for Halloween using Riley Blake Halloween fabric. The ones I got aren’t currently available but you can find some good ones on Etsy.

Valentine’s Day Rag Wreath

red, white, and pink valentines day rag wreath on blue door

You can also make this wreath in different shapes. For Valentine’s Day I made a heart-shaped rag wreath. I used a heart-shaped wire wreath form with some fabric from the Hello Sweetheart collection from Riley Blake. 

The options for these wreaths are endless. You can make them for different seasons, holidays, or even an everyday wreath that matches your decor.

They are simple enough even kids can make them, especially if you cut the strips of fabric for them. I enjoy putting on a movie and just working on it while watching. It’s a good mindless activity.

I also love that they don’t take up much space to store. I don’t have a lot of storage space for decor and these flatten pretty well. Some wreaths can be so bulky and fragile. You can stuff these in with other things and just fluff it a bit when you get it out and it will look perfect.

What is a Fat Quarter?

I’ve been asked a few times what a fat quarter is so I wanted to explain. A fat quarter is a quarter of a yard of fabric. It’s a piece of fabric cut 18″ off the end of the bold and then cut in half on the fold. It’s a horizontal strip of fabric rather than a square. 

They are often sold in bundles with coordinating fabrics, that is what makes them so great for rag wreaths. I usually get mine on Etsy and usually use 6 fat quarters. You can use a bit more or a bit less depending on how full you want your wreath. 

Continue to Content
Yield: 1 wreath

How to Make a Rag Wreath

Christmas rag wreath on table

Rag wreaths are simple and frugal wreaths made from scrap fabric. Make one for your home today.

Prep Time 20 minutes
Active Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes

Materials

  • Wire Wreath Form
  • 6 Fat Quarters of Fabric

Instructions

    1. Cut out 6 inch by 1 inch strips. They don’t need to be perfect.
    2. Tie each strip onto each of the wire rings on the wreath form. Just tie with a simple knot. And keep going until all of your fabric is used up.Easy DIY Rag Wreath
    3. That's all! You can add a cute ribbon or leave it as is.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • Metal Floral Wreath Form
    Metal Floral Wreath Form
© Lisa Sharp
If you make one of these wreaths, share it on Instagram, and tag me. I’d love to see it!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Vineta @ The Handyman's Daughter

    November 11, 2015 at 11:41 am

    So cute! I have a ton of scrap fabric that would be great for this. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  2. Melanie

    November 11, 2015 at 1:36 pm

    Great giveaway – thanks for the chance to win! Love LHOTP. I tried to share via FB though, and it didn’t work. Points didn’t go through…no kind of confirmation.

    Reply
    • Lisa Sharp

      November 11, 2015 at 2:03 pm

      Share through Facebook? I don’t think that is an option.

      Reply
  3. Akram Taghavi-Burris

    November 11, 2015 at 10:27 pm

    I love this Idea! I sew a lot and have a ton of scrap so this is a great project for all that scrap fabric I have laying around. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  4. Audry Putnam

    November 12, 2015 at 5:47 am

    I loved Little House On The Prairie. I always watched it also The Waltons. I love the rag wreath when you go to tie the strips do you tie them just on top of the hoop? Thanks Audry

    Reply
    • Lisa Sharp

      November 12, 2015 at 8:00 am

      You tie them on each of the wire rings, all the way around. You could skip one if you don’t want it as full.

      Reply
  5. Adriana

    November 12, 2015 at 9:11 am

    Wow how cool!! I love this and you can’t even tell what its made of! I need to try this, great giveaway!!!
    xo Adriana – Daily Dose of Design

    Reply
  6. Jane Ritz

    November 16, 2015 at 2:20 pm

    I love thisweath. I hope I have time to get one made. Right now I’m doing my “Little House” project-making a quilt. I’m dumber thsn dirt on some things-I have plenty of pictures but I don’t know how to post to instagram.

    Reply
  7. Cristi

    November 17, 2015 at 9:42 pm

    This is absolutely gorgeous! Thanks so much for sharing and for linking up with The Alder Collective! I could definitely see making these for several different holidays or in a few different color schemes. Hope you’ll join us again this week!

    Reply
  8. giulia lombardo

    October 5, 2020 at 5:26 am

    Lovely Diy projects, I’ll try to make this weekend!!!

    Reply
  9. Marlene

    December 9, 2020 at 8:04 am

    What is a “ fat quarter”? How much material?

    Reply
    • Lisa Sharp

      December 9, 2020 at 10:46 am

      It’s a quarter of a yard. I have added a detailed explanation to the post to help make it more clear for those that haven’t heard that term before. I hope it helps.

      Reply
  10. Lisa

    December 10, 2020 at 1:32 pm

    Great idea! Another source for lovely fabric, especially vintage, is thrift store clothes& items. It seems a shame to cut into clothes- but it’s a good re- use. Pretty dresses, shirts, linens, blankets- lots of fabric in those stores if you look carefully.

    Reply
    • Lisa Sharp

      December 11, 2020 at 8:35 am

      That’s a great idea!

      Reply
  11. Lisa

    December 10, 2020 at 1:33 pm

    Oh and don’t forget to launder everything before using.

    Reply

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Welcome to my blog! My name is Lisa and I'm the Retro Housewife trying to live a greener life. I share my love of all things vintage, homemaking and green living here on the blog. To read more, click here.

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