Repurposed Wool Blanket Bunting How To
Old wool blankets can become a beautiful home decor decorative garland with this easy how-to.
Less-than-perfect blankets seem to call to me like orphans seeking a home. I find them at church sales (“For the Love and Comfort of Church Sales“), thrift stores, and alongside the road (“Curbside Junking Adventures and Tips”). It seems a shame to throw away a perfectly beautiful, warm blanket just because it has a couple stains or a few moth holes! Guess my big stack of orphaned blankets needing a new purpose was what birthed this Wool Blanket Bunting, perfect for fall or winter decorating! Here’s the easy Repurposed Wool Blanket Bunting How-To.
Repurposed Wool Blanket Bunting How To
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Materials Needed:
Old wool blankets
optional: faux fall leaves, burlap scraps, trims, tacky glue
To Start, Cut Blankets into Rectangles
Cut your blankets into 12″x 24″ rectangles, leaving fringe, satin edges or vintage tags intact for character. If you want your decorative garland to have different patterns, cut several rectangles from many blankets. I cut these with a pinking shears, but you could also use a rotary blade.
I used old wool blankets that were plain, plaid, and striped. I also cut some pieces from an old chenille bedspread. Wool blankets won’t fray, which makes them the best bet, but if you have other less-than-perfect blankets, go for it!
Add Fun Embellishments to the Wool Blanket Pieces
To add some extra detail, you can give each piece some embellishment. Here are some of the options:
Leave any original tags on, or sew them to one of the pieces.
Rip the plastic veining off the back of a faux leaf and sew on with a sewing machine.
Glue on purchased trims that coordinate with the season and color.
Embroider a shape onto a piece of burlap and sew or glue on.
Fold Over and Sew
When you have all your embellishments done, fold over your rectangle with the right sides out. Pin around the three sides to be sewn. Leave a 2″ gap at the folded top on each side and sew around the 3 sides using a zig-zag stitch with a 1/2″ seam allowance.
Place Garland or Bunting Squares on Rope
When all your squares are sewn, pull/push sisal rope through the opening at the top. If you need, wrap a piece of masking tape around the end to create a point and to hinder fraying.
Place 5 or 6 squares on each length, leaving 1-2 inches between for flexibility. You can make yours as long or as short as you want, but it’s sometimes easier to have several lengths and add them together.
Decorate with your Wool Blanket Bunting Indoors or Out
This easy DIY garland is a fun, over-sized way to decorate indoors or out! I love to use it on my Fall porch {“Fall Decorate Porch and Patio”}. You can get a totally different look if you used different colored blankets, too; a winter version with cool blues and greens would be beautiful!
This fun garland is wonderful to decorate under a covered porch, or even add a festive touch to a harvest party! A great way to still enjoy those less-than-perfect pretty, vintage blankets. They’re so easy to make!
Hope you enjoyed this Repurposed Wool Blanket Bunting How To. Become an Insider down below for more repurposed vintage ideas!
Sharing at these lovely parties:
Hi, I am looking into repurposing a couple of old single woolen blankets into one large one by cutting them up into large squares and sewing them together. Would you recommend I edge each square as you have for the bunting before sewing the squares together? Cheers
Love that idea, Emma! If your blankets seem like they’ll fray, I would. It does give the fabric a little extra substance. I’d love to see it when it’s done!
These are so cute, i need to make me one or two. Will be going to a church sale the 21 hope they have some colorful blankets. Thanks for this idea.
I hope you find some, Marlene! Love church sales; I’m jealous!Good luck!
Adorable. Cozy
Thanks, Gail!
I love how you did this. It adds such warmth and coziness to the space.
This is so cozy and inviting! Thanks for sharing @ Vintage Charm!
So many beautiful ones out there, Tania!
I think your wool blanket bunting is awesome, Lora (pinned and shared)! Thank you for sharing it at the Talk Of The Town Party last week – you are my feature this week! See you at the party on Tuesday evening.
Awesome, Marie! Thanks:)