Learn how to make this DIY Drop Cloth Rag Wreath! This drop cloth rag wreath is an easy project that adds a lot of rustic farmhouse charm!
One of the first things I did a few years ago now when “we” started renovating our house was to paint the front door. At first, I painted it this beautiful shade of blue. Then when my husband started the renovation in our living room, he removed the door from the hinges, sanded it down and spray painted it white. We even gave new life to our door hardware by painting it as well.
But First, a Burlap Wreath
Well, when we painted the front door blue, I made this lovely burlap wreath (pictured below) to hang on our door for the fall months. I changed the wreath out for Christmas simply by adding some clip-on poinsettias to the burlap wreath. Then spring rolled around and the burlap wreath just seemed a little “heavy” for the warm and sunny days ahead.
I had seen some rag wreaths on Pinterest and well, everywhere I looked online. I also have a nice stock of bleached drop cloth. I have used drop cloth to make pillow covers, curtains, Christmas stockings and even new covers for our dog beds. I always buy 100% cotton drop cloth for my home sewing projects. I love drop cloth because it’s affordable, sturdy, easy to work with and it gets softer with age. It’s a woven fabric that reminds me so much of linen.
Choose Your Dropcloth
You can bleach drop cloth or leave it its natural color. I’ve read that some people have even dyed it with great results. If you look online, you can even find a tutorial from Martha Stewart about dying drop cloth. I prefer to bleach my drop cloth. In fact, I like to think I’ve perfected the bleaching method.
But, today, I want to share with you how to make this DIY Rag Wreath using drop cloth or bleached drop cloth, to be more precise. It’s so easy to make! You can actually use any kind of woven fabric to create this rag wreath. Here are some fabric combination ideas that I think would make beautiful rag wreaths:
- Drop Cloth and Burlap
- Drop Cloth and Gingham
- Drop Cloth and Ticking
- Bleached Drop Cloth and Unbleached Drop Cloth
- Drop Cloth and Buffalo Plaid
- Burlap and Gingham
- Burlap and Ticking
- Flannel Plaid
You get the idea!
DIY Drop Cloth Rag Wreath
Supplies:
There are just a few supplies you’ll need to make this DIY Drop Cloth Rag Wreath. I purchased my wire wreath from JOANN’s but you can purchase them at Hobby Lobby, Amazon or your favorite crafting store:
- 14” Wire Wreath Form (or size of your choosing)
- 2-3 Yards Drop Cloth (My favorite source: Harbor Freight.) Or fabric of your choice.
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Rotary Cutter (optional*)
- Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat (optional*)
*You don’t have to use a rotary cutter and self healing rotary cutting mat, but they sure make this project so much easier and quicker.
Instructions:
- Cut fabric into 1-1/2”x9” strips. If using scissors to cut your fabric, you can simply make a starting clip and rip the fabric (drop cloth) across the entire width. Then you’ll cut your fabric strips into 9” long pieces.
- Fold one 9” strip of fabric in half and starting with the inner most wire, tie a knot by wrapping the folded end of the strip around the back of the wire and up, then insert loose ends of strip through folded strip and tighten against the wire.
- Continue knotting strips onto the wire frame working from the inner circle out until you’ve reached the desired fullness.
This is a great project to sit and do while you’re watching TV. I just have to forewarn you that it’s a messy project. You’ll find little bits of string everywhere!
How to Make a Large DIY Rag Wreath
If you want to make a large rag wreath, I would recommend purchasing two wire wreath frames. Maybe a 30” and a 12”. You’ll want to purchase wreaths that fit one inside the other without too much of a gap. Then attach the smaller wreath by placing the smaller wreath inside the larger wreath and wrapping a piece of floral wire or pipe cleaner around the two wreaths to hold them together.
Then you’ll attach the strips of fabric in the same manner, starting with the inner most wire and working your way towards the outside. When you get the outer wire of the smaller wreath form and the inner wire of the larger wreath form, you’ll tie your fabric around both wires as if there were really just one wire. So, in other words, insert the folded end of your fabric strip in and around the outer loop of the small wreath form and up around the inner loop of the larger wreath form.
This will make a very full wreath, but will be absolutely lovely!
There you have an easy to make DIY Rag Wreath using Drop Cloth fabric. I think you’ll absolutely love it! If you’re anything like me, your fingers and thumbs might be a little tired and you might even develop a few blisters from the friction of pulling on the fabric. But, what’s a little pain for a beautiful handmade rag wreath?!
More Drop Cloth Uses
Here are some of my favorite ways to use drop cloth:
I love this rag wreath on our front door. In fact, I’ve left it up for well over a year now. I created a little sign to hang with the wreath out of some reclaimed picket fence, twine, a little bit of paint and my handy-dandy Cricut machine.
I simply change out the sign based on the season (or my mood). I hang the wreath on a wreath hanger. I didn’t find it necessary to attach ribbon or wire to the back.
If you make this DIY Rag Wreath from drop cloth or any other fabric, for that matter, I’d love to hear about it and see your finished wreath. Be sure to tag me on social media: #thebirchcottage or #ahandmadehome so I’ll see your wreath!
Til next time…
