How to Make a Primitive Berry Garland

Primitive berry garlands mix country motifs with natural items.

If you love to decorate with natural, vintage motifs, primitive style may be for you. Primitive décor features country-style fabric patterns, Americana themes and items from nature as art. This style is especially popular among the budget-conscious and crafting hobbyists because primitive art is often handmade. If you're just starting to experiment with primitive styles, create a berry garland. These pieces are customizable and very versatile.

Things You'll Need

• Nylon thread
• Needle
• Faux plastic berries
• Silk leaves
• Wooden beads (twigs, carved animals)
• Country style fabric scraps (rusty reds, navy, cream, plaid, polka dot)

Instructions

1. Cut a piece of nylon thread about 4 inches longer than you want your finished garland to be. For instance, if you want a 24-foot-long garland, cut a piece of thread 24 feet, 4 inches long.

2. Thread a needle with the nylon thread. Tie a knot in the loose end of the thread to secure your decorations.

3. Push your garland decorations onto the needle and down to the knot at the other end of the thread. Start with some faux berries. Choose from blueberries, cherries and cranberries.

4. Separate the berries with faux silk leaves and wooden beads. Keep the pattern random so the garland looks homemade and charming rather than sleek and polished.

5. Add scraps of primitive-style fabric to the garland by rolling them into twists. Slide the center of each twist onto the needle and thread. The thread should keep the cloth from coming untwisted.

6. Slide the needle from the nylon thread when finished. Tie a knot in the resulting loose end of the thread to finish your garland.

References

• Dummies: How to Make a Popcorn Cranberry Garland
• Craft Leftovers: DIY Popcorn Garland
• The Pitchy Patch: Seasons Greetings