I'm not a huge Halloween person. I basically decorate for fall without being holiday specific...so it can take me right through Thanksgiving. However, this year, I thought it might be fun to create an actual Halloween wreath. Since I'm not that into this holiday, I didn't want to spend too much on this wreath...so t-shirt scraps it was!
I found several t-shirt wreaths on Pinterest, but ended up kind of doing my own thing on this one. I didn't want a floppy wreath...I wanted it full and fluffy. I did also use about a yard of fabric that was leftover from last year {not sure why I bought it...but it's been in the scrap pile for a long time}. I used it to tie all of the colors together and add one other texture to the wreath. I also used the mesh for a bow {I already had it on hand...I buy it when it's on sale and use it for gift wrapping}. I purchased the "BOO" pick and pulled out the wire {it was 1/2 off at HobLob, making it $1}. I also purchased the wreath form {it was $2.99 at HobLob and I used my 40% coupon on it}. So, my total out-of-pocket cost was less than $3 for the whole thing! Woohoo!
I noticed others who've made a similar wreath purchased their t-shirts from thrift stores or other places. With my husband being a principal and the fact that I used to be a graphic designer at an actual t-shirt printing shop, we literally have bajillions of t-shirts on hand {it's not normal, I tell you}.
I basically used all of the parts of the shirt that I could, excluding anything with print on it.
This is roughly the size of strips that I cut out to use on the wreath.
Then I just started tying the scraps onto the wreath...pulling all of their "tails" to the front of the wreath. I also alternated the colors of my scraps. It took a little over an hour of tying to get all of the scraps on there.
This is what the back of the wreath looks like when finished {the numbers and horribly illustrated lines showing you the different wire rungs}. The outer wire rung of the wreath {which I was originally going to leave empty since it didn't show} was filled in with only fabric scraps...just so I could get a lot of the fabric showing. I used every bit of fabric/t-shirts...which is why the outer wire was slightly skimpy. But, that doesn't show from the front at all.
I pulled a length of the wire mesh through the wreath wire rungs and tied a bow on the front. I hot glued the "BOO" onto the bow.
I was really pleased with how fluffy the wreath turned out. I think the addition of the fabric, along with the shorter length of my strips, helped this not to be overly-floppy like scrap wreaths can be. I loved this method so much that I'll probably do a Christmas wreath like it, too {still pulling from our endless supply of t-shirts}.
Now I finally have actual Halloween decor, instead of my usual "fallish" stuff!
Krisit I love it! Looks so festive...and T-shirts?! You smart cookie!
ReplyDeleteThis is SO cute ... now I need to scour the boys play shirts so I can make my own!!
ReplyDeleteI really like this...I am going to have to search my hubs old shirts and see what I can come up with!!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness - was that a purple ACU T-shirt you cut up? That's my alma mater! Talk about blast from the past!
ReplyDeleteYES!! And it's my alma mater, too!! What a small world. My husband and I are both ACU alums {classes of '95 and '00}. It did hurt a bit to cut that one...but I needed the purple and hadn't worn that shirt in years. Always great to meet a fellow Wildcat!
DeleteFor the love of purple & white,
kristi
Class of '82 (eons ago) and a proud Siggie. Just got a post card that it's my 30th class reunion. WHAT??????
DeleteToo Cute!!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome wreath! Great idea and inspiration!
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome. I'm going to pin it and include a link to it in a post I'm working on about repurposing t-shirts. I may even collect enough of my old shirts to make one myself. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteBonny @ http://thedomesticatedprincess.blogspot.com
Love this!! So fun and festive for Halloween and a great way to use up all those t-shirts that we all have. I hope you will come by and link up to my Wickedly Creative Halloween Ideas Party.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.itsybitsypaperblog.com/2012/09/2012-wickedly-creative-halloween-ideas.html
Very cute! Just became your newest GFC follower.
ReplyDeleteWould love for you to check out my blog too at http://www.thedesperatecraftwives.blogspot.com
Blythe
This is adorable! Great way to use up those old shirts.
ReplyDeleteThanks for featuring our spider-bite healing miracle Kristi!!
ReplyDeleteNeed an easy and delicious veggie side dish? I shared a broccoli salad that is sweet enough for kids, and healthy for moms. Also a great make-ahead and a pot-luck favorite!!
http://dontwastethecrumbs.com/2012/09/yummy-recipe-broccoli-salad/
SO crafty & lovely! Thanks for sharing cant wait to see more
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome! Love how you incorporated the polka dot material! Would love if you'd join our Countdown to Fall link party! Hope to see you there! Have a great week! :)
ReplyDeletehttp://dixie-n-dottie.blogspot.com/2012_09_10_archive.html
Great wreath Kristi! Fabulous colours you chose - just perfect!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
Hope you have a fabulous week!
Jill @ Creating my way to Success
http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/
It's a thing of beauty!
ReplyDeleteDropping in from Creative Me Linky Party
Holy cow, you're talented. LOVE this wreath. And I see the pallet heart on the sidebar and I know I'm going to love that too. Great job!
ReplyDeleteKatie
www.funhomethings.com
That was such an awesome tutorial I feel like I could totally do this myself now! I love how it turned out! Pinning and featuring tonight at Mom On Timeout - thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThis wreath is so cute! You should enter your photos into Craftbaby's Halloween Decor Challenge! :) http://www.craftbaby.com/contests/32/halloween-decor
ReplyDeleteI just wanted you to know I featured your wreath tutorial on my recent post about 10 ten ways to re-purpose t-shirts: http://thedomesticatedprincess.blogspot.com/2012/10/from-t-shirt-to-treasure-part-1.html. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteNice post. I like the way you start and then conclude your thoughts. Thanks for this information .I really appreciate your work, keep it up and thanks for sharing information with me.
ReplyDeleteHunter Douglas
I love this project! I was thinking a Mardi Gras or Valentine one would be great! Or even Forth of July! I like to decorate my front door for all the holidays but, I have all the big-big ones covered. This is a great idea! Thank you!
ReplyDelete