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How to make a fabric garland

This fabric garland is easy and fun to make. You can imagine any message you like and sew a pretty garland with it.

Combine letters and numbers to create a garland for any celebration.
You can sew birthday banners, Christmas garlands, New Year decorations, or any garland for the festivity you like to celebrate.

You can also sew garlands with names to decorate a child’s bedroom or a playroom.

This sewing project is perfect to use all the scrap fabric you have been saving.

The template includes all the alphabet letters, the numbers from 0 to 9, 4 flags shapes, and 4 different figures (heart, star, flower, and Christmas tree). The letters/numbers are 4 1/2 in. high (12cm).

The templates are available as an instant download in my shop.

Besides the letters and numbers the digital PDF file includes a full photo tutorial that shows you how to sew the garland together.

The detailed instructions allow everyone, even beginner, to easily sew any fabric garland.

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How to sew a fabric garland

All the point of this project is to use scrap fabric. I would say any fabric will work to make the garland pieces.

However, some kinds of fabric will be easier to sew as: cotton, shirting, flannel, linen…

Keep in mind that medium thickness fabric and non-stretch fabric will work better to sew letters and numbers.

If you don’t have enough matching fabric to create your garland you can also use old clothes.

As you can see in the pic below, I made some letters using my husband’s old shirts!

Another option if you are looking for specific colors, is to buy a fat quarter bundle.
These fabric sets are made for quilting but will work perfectly to make garlands as they offer a match of nice patterned fabric at a fair price.

To make the inner layer of the garland pieces you can use felt, or polar fleece. Again try to use what you already have.

Whatever fabric you decide to use as an inner layer, choose a white or beige color. A light color will prevent altering the tone of your exterior fabrics.

You will also need twine rope and thin ribbon (this is what I used) to hang the letters.

Supplies to sew a fabric garland

In short, this is what your will need to make a banner fabric garland

The templates can be print on US letter-sized paper.

The printable also includes an envelope to keep the pieces and instructions for future use.

This craft is very simple to make and allows you to create any garland you like.

You can make garlands for parties, celebrations, baby showers, retirement, anniversary, wedding…pretty much any event you can think about!

You can also create decorative banners for your home. You can sew a name garland to welcome a newborn baby or to decorate a kid’s bedroom or nursery.

Besides the letters and numbers, The PDF print also includes a list of more than 90 message ideas to create a unique garland for any occasion.

The best part of this craft is that it’s environmentally friendly.
You can use scrap fabric or old clothes to make the garland. And fabric garlands hold much longer than paper ones.

So you can use your garland over and over again.


Once the celebration is over, keep your garland in a box or a bag and take it out next time. You can give it a quick iron press and it will look brand new.

Another thing great with this craft is, once you make several garlands you will have enough letters to combine to create any message you want without having to sew more pieces.

As you can see I had fun sewing several letters banners, and mixing them allows me to create personalized decor for my daughter’s birthday.

I add her name at the end of the happy birthday garland. She was thrilled to have her personalized “Happy Birthday Ines” garland for her special day.

I hope you will enjoy making fabric garland for your next celebration.

You can find the templates in the shop.

The instant download PDF includes:

  • All the alphabet letters
  • Numbers from 0 to 9
  • Signs “&” and “+”
  • 4 different flags shapes
  • 4 different figures (flower, heart, star, and Christmas tree)
  • A step-by-step tutorial with pictures
  • A full video tutorial
  • 90+ garland message ideas for any occasion.

Just place your order and complete the payment. You will receive an email with the link to download your templates and tutorial. Click and print at home on A4 or US Letter size paper. Then, you are ready to start sewing!

Have fun sewing your garland!

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Watch the video tutorial to make the Fabric Garland

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Want to remember it? Save this DIY Fabric Garland on your favorite Pinterest board.

You will find all the tutorials featured in the video on my “Best DIY” page.

Amaryllis