Fall Decor, Lighted Rag Garland Tutorial

This is a post I did from last year, just re-posting cause we are sorta busy at the moment!  Hope that is okay!

Within my home I have two banisters.  It is fun to have them decked out for the holidays.  I had all sorts of spooky stuff for Halloween and when I took it down, it felt bare.

I wanted a fall inspired garland, but couldn't afford to buy one so I started to look around. 

Here is what I found, and how I used it

2 Bleach stained towels

2 Strands of white Christmas lights

Several scraps of fabric in different fall colors (about 1/2 a yard of about 6 colors, slightly more of some)

Masking tape

Fall leaf sprays (optional)

Scissors

A bit of time (and a lot of hulu shows later)

The inspiration for this idea is a window treatment my friend Kim did in her daughter's room.  The hard part was coming up with a bendable "bar" type string.  That is where the towel came in.  I cut some old towels into 1/3's length wise.  Then sewed them end to end, (although I realize now that I could have just masking taped them together for those of you without a sewing machine.) 

Step 1. I measured the banister and cut the (now sewn/taped together) towel piece to length.

Step 2 Then I rolled it up width wise, and secured the roll with masking tape.  See picture below:

Step 3.  Wrap lights around towel roll.  Make sure the lights work!!! Then divide the roll and string in half to help you get an even distribution of lights.  Secure with masking tape when necessary.

Step 4.  If you choose to have a leaf spray at the end tape that in place at both ends of garland now.

Step 5.  Take your fabric of choice and cut them into strips.  I cut mine into strips approximately 1/2" -1" wide and 10" to 15" inches long .

Then begin tying the fabric strips randomly onto the towel roll.  Until the towel is completely covered

Hang up where ever you would like.  And plug it in.  It is so festive and fun at night!  I love it!