How to make a ruffle for your Christmas tree!

I did it! I did it! I pinned it and I did it!

I saw this great ruffle garland on Pinterest and repinned. Now… most of the time, that is as far as it gets.

But Saturday, after two attempts at stringing our old Christmas lights on the tree, I finally sent hubby out for new lights. Argh!

While I waited, I kept staring at the empty tree and thinking, “I should make that garland.”

That’s when I realized – it was NOW or NEVER because shortly we’d be filling the tree up with ornaments!! So I set to work and shocked myself at how easy it is to create a ruffled garland!

Luckily, I had some random white fabric on hand which was JUST enough for my garland! Here’s the steps!

1. Cut strips of fabric 2.5″ wide. (My strips were about a yard long and I cut probably 15 or more)

2. Baste down the center of each strip with your machine set at the longest stitch setting (don’t backstitch!) 3. Grab one thread from one end of the strip and pull it to gather the fabric. 4. Pull small sections and feed the ruffle down the strip until the entire strip is ruffled to your satisfaction! You can make tighter or looser ruffles this way.5. Sew each ruffled section together (backstitch this time!) 6. Admire your piles of ruffles (and trim the loose threads!)7. Loop your garland on the tree!

We used to string popcorn and cranberries as a kid, and while I can look back on that time fondly…this DIY Ruffle Garland was infinitely easier/faster! In fact, this simple sewing project came together in under an hour start to finish because it’s really just cutting and a straight stitch!

I could see this ruffle garland being great for parties as well!

Do you make any of your own Christmas decor?