String of Lights

I thought I'd show you an easy craft with strings of Christmas lights. These are pretty popular with the primitive decor crowd, but I love the look of them. And you can use them for pretty much any season of the year. Use them on red lights with combination of white, pink, and red fabric. During Halloween use orange or purple lights with fall colors. Or use cute children's fabric for a fun night light. The possibilities are endless!

SO...let's get to it!

First, you'll need a few supplies:

*1/2 yard of each color/pattern fabric (cotton works best, I use homespun)
*strand of lights (any length, just depends on what you want. I used a 20 count)

That's it!

The fabric will need to be cut (or ripped) into strips. I usually rip a whole line about 1 inch to 1 1/2 inch wide. Then I cut them into 5 to 6 inch lengths. If you make them too long they won't sit like they're suppose to, but if you do them too short, you won't be able to tie...and that makes very sore fingers...believe me!

I make piles of each color and then put them into an order that I like. That way, I can just grab from the next pile and don't have to think about which color/pattern comes next.

Start tieing! It's important to start as close to the light as possible. You want to use the light as a stop so the fabric will be tight and your string of lights will look full. I don't even tie a knot. There's no need. If you just loop it like you're tieing shoes, and pull really tight it will stay. I haven't had any come loose yet. It's the ripped fabric that holds it I think. So...just start with the color/pattern fabric you want. Make sure it's pretty evenly tied, although the variation in lengths adds to the fun look of the strand. Just keep tieing and push the fabric as close as you can to the one before.



As you keep going your strand will get fuller and fuller. Don't worry if it starts to twist, it will make the fabric move and you won't end up with a straight line of lights...cuz that looks boring...but if you have a serious case of OCD, it might be the look your'e going for...sorry...but it won't work...;)

While you're making the strand, you should give it a little shake every so often to allow the strand to twist and your fabric to fall naturally and fill out. Believe me, you'll see the difference and it will look good. Don't worry if you can't see the lights, that's the idea...;)

This is definitely something you can do during nap time, or while watching TV at night. Although, I do recommend that you do it in one spot, the little fabric strips will shed...and leave little "stringlets" all over.

Once you've reached the last light, it's up to you if you want to go all the way to the plug. I don't usually because I like to be able to hide the cord behind stuff...and if you've got fabric, you won't want to hide it...:)  Also I'm usually tired of tieing,...lol...so I stop, it's the lazy in me. But it's TOTALLY up to you.

After you're all done, just be sure to give the entire thing a big shake. You might want to take it outside...to avoid the "stringlets" as I've mentioned before. Then...put it where ever you'd like! On a mantle, in a jar, around a clock, mirror...or anywhere! If you use battery operated lights, you can wrap around a wreath and use it for a door decoration! Like I said, the possibilities are ENDLESS!

 

So have some fun, tie some knots and hang some lights! It's almost time for Christmas! Be sure to visit my linkie party too!