3. No-Sew Rag Tie Rag Wreath
This is the project that launched a thousand wreaths for a reason. Using fabric strips tied onto a wire frame, you get a lush, full, slightly whimsical wreath that looks far more expensive than it actually is. It’s also one of the best projects to use up fabric scraps from previous projects.
Materials: A wire wreath frame (12 or 14 inches), 1.5 to 2 yards of quilting cotton in your main color, a half-yard each of two coordinating fabrics, sharp scissors, and a command hook or wreath hanger.
Instructions: Cut all fabric into strips roughly 1 inch wide and 6 to 8 inches long. Tie each strip onto the wire frame using a simple overhand knot, pushing knots close together until the frame is completely full and fluffy. Mix your colors in a planned pattern—try alternating, or cluster one color at the top and another at the bottom.
Time: 1 to 2 hours, depending on fullness. Difficulty: True beginner.
This style works year-round depending on your fabric choices. Red and cream for Valentine’s, black and orange for Halloween, sage and white for summer. To add seasonal interest without changing the whole wreath, tuck in a few sprigs of faux berries or a small sign in the center.
The biggest mistake is using fabric that’s too thick. Quilting cotton is ideal because it knots cleanly and holds its shape. Avoid slippery satins and very stretchy knits, which tend to slip loose.