Lets Make: a DIY Felt Ball Garland

A special friend is due to have a baby any day now. 

A little baby girl is to make my dear friends parents for the first time. Already parents to two gorgeous fur babies (below!) this little bub is going to be so loved and protected by her bigger fur siblings. Below is a photo the couple shared when announcing their pregnancy. So sweet isn't it?

I wanted to give a gift that was something a little different, not booties or onesies or something that they will grow out of in a matter of weeks. I wanted to give something this little bub could look at as she wakes in her cot each day and bring a little colour to the nursery. I decided on a felt ball garland, one handmade with love, so naturally I made it myself and wanted to show you today how you too can make one yourself. Perhaps its a great project for you to do with the kids? Or a project for adults alike, and can be used to decorate a bedroom, living space, a doorway, or even make one to drape over your Christmas tree (it's never too early to start getting ready for Christmas right?!).

Felt ball garlands are colourful, fun and on trend at the moment. So, let’s jump right in and I will show you how to make one for yourself, or as a gift for a loved one!  

Supplies you’ll need to make a felt ball garland:

• Felt balls - I used three different colours and also different sizes. You may choose to use all the same size and a rainbow of colours!
• Woollen thread - I used wool from my craft store, you might like to use twine or jute!
• A large needle – I used a large needed that would be sharp to push through the felt.
• Scissors
• A thimble - to help push through the felt ball with the needle. 

Step 1 – Determine your colour pattern.

Being for a little girls nursery, I kept it simple and sweet, using white, grey and pink. Once you have chosen your colours, group them in piles so you can clearly see the quantity of each and even the different sizes if you are making one like mine with different sized felt balls.

Step 2 – Determine the length of the garland.

I designed mine to be strung loosely across a wall. I make mine approx 3m in length, to allow enough to have a 'draped' effect and also leaving enough on the ends to create a tassel look. Once you have worked out how long you want it to be, cut the woollen thread to suit.

Step 3 – Start threading!

This is the fun part! Thread the needle through the wool and then push the needle through the first of the felt balls. You may want to use a thimble or a sturdy object to help you push the needle through the felt. I spaced mine quite randomly, you may want to space them equally or a random look like mine. It's up to you! Keep threading the balls until you have created the desired length and look.

Step 3 – The tassels.

To finish the ends of the garland, I chose to make a tassel simply by winding the wool around my fingers.

I pulled the end of the garland through my loops.

Then tied the end of the garland in a knot at the top of my fingers.

Next, I took a separate small piece of wool, pinched the top of my tassel together, wrapped my thread around and tied into a knot.  Then I trimmed the excess pieces of wool, as well as the ends to look like this.

As I was giving it as a gift, I chose a glass jar to bundle it into - I love that the jar could be used for other purposes and upcycled. 

I am such a jar collector, they always come in handy! Have you ever given a gift in a jar before? It is sort of like a gift that keeps giving!

Now, we are all eagerly waiting to hear of the safe arrival of this precious little girl, as already she is a couple of days overdue. I hope she will love her felt ball garland!

DO YOU LOVE A HANDMADE GIFT? I do!
Where would you hang this felt ball garland? Do you think you will too give it a try? Have you tried making a garland like this before?

Happy crafting! If you make one, let me know I would love to see it! :) I want to see pictures, tag us in your pics on instagram and facebook so we can share the love!

Linking up with Essentially Jess for today's post.

  

Follow Glamour Coastal Living:

 INSTAGRAM // FACEBOOK // PINTEREST // SHOP