How to Make Silent Wind Bells

Wind bells are lovely to hear, but the soft flutter of color from a fabric piece with streamers is equally charming. These hang from balcony front porches everywhere. They can be made in quantities and hung in trees as well. They require only the ability to sew or just glue a straight seam, and you can have a lovely hanging decoration in just 30 minutes or less.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Nylon or similar fabric which is moderately weatherproof--1/2-yard or two 1/4-yard pieces.
• Fabric glue or sewing machine
• Metal ring, 6 to 8 inches in diameter
• Nylon line for hanging it
• Optional bells for tips of streamers

1. Measure the outside of a metal ring and cut one piece of fabric long enough to overlap by a total of 2 inches. Measuring from selvedge to selvedge will give you a height of 9 inches.

2. Sew or glue the seam, creating a sleeve.

3. Fold top edge down 1 inch and insert the ring covering it with the fabric fold. Now sew or glue around the inside edge so that the ring is encased in the top.

4. Using the remaining fabric, cut strips that are 2 inches wide. Glue or sew these to the bottom of the sleeve. These can all be the same color or different ones, the same or varied lengths. If you want the soft tinkle of bells, attach bells to some or all of the streamers.

5. Attach 12-inch pieces of nylon line to the ring. You will want 2 pieces and you will affix them to opposite sides and create a cross in the center from which to hang your silent wind bell.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't want to cut fabric strips use ribbon. It is easier to manage.