How to Make Raffia Garland

Beautiful raffia garlands are a lovely way to dress up a window valance, doorway arch or even a country hutch. The natural fibers of raffia are perfect for a country rustic or cottage style home. This inexpensive material can be used economically for garlands or as simple bows. Create this easy raffia garland using a simple braiding technique. By adding further floral elements, you can create a lush and decorative design. This craft is simple to do and would make a wonderful project to share with friends.

Things You'll Need

• One package of natural raffia
• 18 feet silk ivy garland
• Silk sunflower bunch with 10 to 12 sunflowers
• Floral wire
• Candle and match
• Wire cutters
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Remove the raffia from the bag and unfold the length of the bundle. Remove three strands of raffia and set aside. Divide the bundle in half. Overlap an end of each half bundle approximately 4 inches. Wrap the overlapping ends with craft wire to connect. Wrap one strand of the three strands of raffia that were set aside around the wire to cover. Tie a knot to secure and trim the ends. This should give you a length of raffia approximately 10 feet to 15 feet long.

2. Separate the raffia on one side of the wired connection into three plaits. Braid the plaits to the end and wire tightly. Wrap another saved raffia strand around the wire to cover. Separate the raffia on the other half of the raffia length into three plaits and repeat as you did the other side.

3. Find the center of the silk ivy garland and place on the center of the braided raffia garland. Wind one half of the ivy garland around one side of the raffia garland. Cut any excess ivy garland that extends past the end of the raffia and bend the end around the raffia garland to secure. Wind the other half of the ivy garland around the other side of the raffia garland in the same way.

4. Pop the sunflower heads off of their stems. Cut a 6 inch piece of craft wire for each sunflower head. Light the candle. Heat one end of a wire in the candle flame. Thread the heated wire through the side of the plastic shank on the back of a sunflower. The hot wire will melt the plastic allowing it to act as a needle. Repeat for the remaining sunflowers. Lay the raffia garland on your work surface and space the sunflowers along its length. Wire the sunflowers to the ivy garland and snip off the excess wire.