How to Create a Lighted Garland That Gets Attention

When I started setting up my new office space, I discovered I could use some extra lighting on the short wall behind my desk.  This portion of my desk is pretty deep, and the wall is too short to display any artwork, but it needed something there.  After searching Pinterest, I discovered several pictures where people hung string lights around their desk.  I thought it might look cute, so I decided I’d give it a try.  I was lucky to be at Target the day they were stocking their store with Christmas lights, so I snatched up a pack of 50 clear lights on a white cord.  I couldn’t wait to hang this baby up on my blank wall!

BUT- once they were hung, I couldn’t get over the look of white wire dangling from hooks. I had to dress this string of lights up somehow.  Wait!  What about a fabric garland?  Wouldn’t that just be AWESOME???? Yes!  I decided to give this a try. Want a peek?  Check it out!

I know I usually say my projects are easy, but this one really was super simple.  If you can cut fabric and tie a knot, you can do this!  You will need some scraps of fabric for this project.  I was running a little low on my fabric scraps, but a trip to Walmart fixed that.  I purchased some short pieces of fabric from the clearance section, and I was on my way!

You will also need a cutting mat and rotary cutter.  It was easier and quicker for me to use my cutting mat and rotary cutter to measure and cut the fabric than it would have with scissors.  But if all you have is scissors, that will work, too. If you use pinking shears to cut the fabric it will keep the ends from fraying, but I like the shaggy look of my strips just fine the way they are now.

Use your cutter/scissors/shears to cut the fabric into strips.  You want your strips to be 1-2 inches wide, and 8-10 inches long.  I decided to cut my fabric into various lengths/widths to create added interest to my garland, but you can cut yours all the same size if you’d like.

I folded my string of lights over since I didn’t need a garland that long, plus it doubled my amount of lights which was great.  Then I got to work tying my fabric scraps to the light string; there was no rhyme or reason to my method.  I just eyeballed it and randomly tied the fabric strips to the string so that the colors were evenly distributed.

When I was done, I hung it up on my wall, plugged it in, and enjoyed my handiwork.

Oh, did I mention my fabulous husband used an old step-on lamp switch we had lying around to make me a very special extension cord for these lights?  All I have to do is step on the switch and this garland lights up my life.  Genius, huh?

I’m already planning another trip to Target to pick up a few extra boxes of these string lights.  I’m thinking about making one of these for my Christmas tree this year.  You can add fabric stips, yarn, ribbon, burlap, deco mesh or even tulle to these string lights.  At $2.50 a strand you really can’t go wrong, and if you run out of fabric scraps you can make a lighted cake display stand like I did in this post.  I hope you like my fabric lighted garland and I’ve inspired you to try making one of these of your own.  If you do, please let me know!

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