On a whim the other day, I decided to make a Valentine’s Day fabric garland for my fireplace mantel, and I’m so glad I did. It’s cheery, festive and the pretty pinks and reds really pop against the white wood. I love it!
I thought I’d share how easy it was to make in case you have the perfect spot to put a Valentine’s Day fabric garland in your home too.
First, you need to choose your fabric at a fabric store, unless you’re lucky enough to have scraps around. Choose a combination of colors and designs, and go with whatever is pleasing to your eye. I chose four different fabrics, but you could do more, depending on your taste.
If you can find material with no wrong side, it’ll make things even easier, but it’s not essential. I purchased a yard of each of my four fabrics, but I think I could have gotten away with 1/2 yard.
I happened to have a decorative light strand with crystals on it which I decided to use, but any 100-count clear mini light strand will work perfectly.
Cut your fabric into 2″ x 9″ strips.
Tie fabric strips around light string in single knots.
You can follow a pattern (like I did), or you can be willy nilly about it. You may have to work the fabric a little bit to get the right side to show.
When you’re done tying on fabric strips, put it on display! I put clear push pins into my mantel and looped the light string around those to hold it in place. It worked perfectly!
It’s beautiful in the daytime and nighttime, and so easy to make!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Uplifting Families says
This is super cute. I also see how easy it is to make. I need try to make stuff for my house so that I can be more festive.
OrganizedGeorge says
Where does one find light strands with crystals? They’re beautiful, but I’ve never seen them before. Thanks in advance!
Marcie W. says
I love how easy and festive this garland is! I need to keep this in mind next year when I am shopping those after Christmas sales and score some light strands for cheap.
Laura says
I love this! It is so simple, but so cute! I really like the fabrics you chose. Thank you for linking up to The Creative Exchange! We will be featuring your project this week.
xo,
Laura
Katarina K says
Beautiful fabrics! And I love your idea about decoration – looks really amazing!
Katie says
So pretty!! Love the lights at night, too!
Terra Heck says
That is super cute and festive!
Erica says
I have never decorated for v-day but now that my kids are getting older I feel like I should. This is such a fun and cute idea I might just have to do 🙂
Penelope says
This is so pretty! To be honest, I LOVE lights at night, it’s so romantic (those flameless candles, seeing a street lamp outside, anything) and this is such a great idea for adding some light wherever I want in the home! LOVE IT!
Maria says
I love this, so adorable!!!! I’ve seen lots of fabric garlands on Pinterest, but I LOVE the idea of using a string of lights!!!!!!! So so cute!!!!!
debra p says
I really love the fabrics that you used and it looks gorgeous with the lights!
HilLesha says
That garland is utterly adorable!
Colleen says
That looks so easy and it looks great with and without the lights!
Holly @ Woman Tribune says
I really love this idea, and it’s so simple to make, too! You did a really excellent job and you’re right, the pinks and reds really do stand out against the white wood. Beautiful!
Billie says
This is super cute and easy enough that even I could pull it off. I’m pretty craft challenged, lol.
Jenn says
This is gorgeous, I like how festive it is. Thank you for sharing!
Debi says
That looks like such a great craft. And it won’t fall apart like other papery crafts.
Not So Average Mama says
What a super easy and fun idea! It looks great!
Heather Grow says
I really love the light string that you used. Jealous! Your garland is so pretty.
Diane Sallans says
How pretty! could use that idea for many holidays!
courtney b says
That is SO pretty. I would never think to make garland for Valentine’s day but it really does look nice. I want to make some type of garland for my best friend’s wedding shower .. maybe you could do that next???
Kait says
This is so cute! I want to make something like,this for my classroom and keep it up all year long.
Alissa Apel says
That’s really pretty! I bet Isaak would love to do a project like this with me. Thanks for sharing.
Helga says
That would be very appealing to my cats! LOL But seriously that is quite effective and looks easy to make.
Mary @Sweetwater Style says
OH this is really cute…I need to go dig out some of my “twinkle lights” from the holiday closet and do this. You can never have too many twinkle lights or Valentine fun! Thanks for sharing.
Natalie Brown says
I truly love this garland. Especially with the fabric tied to a string of lights. Since I have a girly apartment, I would use it year-around too. Thank-you for the inspiration! “Pinned” 🙂
TerriAnn @ Cookies & Clogs says
Love the fabric you used – so cute. I would only worry that the lights would get hot and the fabric could be a fire hazard.
Kiwi says
Vday is my favorite holiday! I would love to recreate this for a festive decor setting!
Pamela Gurganus says
I love this craft! These fabrics are so pretty. I really like the lights on it too. What a neat idea! Thanks for sharing.
Felicia says
Oh my, this is adorable. What a simple way to make things more festive.
Adanna says
Oh this is gorgeous and I love the addition of the lights
Gabriel Bregg says
We did a similar garland for the winter, doing one for valentines is a cool idea. I like the lights in there because it acts as a night light, ideal for avoiding toys on the floor when getting water in the dark for small ones.
Paula Shuck says
We don’t usually decorate the house much for Valentine’s Day but I would love to try this out! I’m sure I’ve got some leftover fabric laying around too… Great post!
Kristin says
This is so darn cute! What a great addition to your Valentine’s Day decor!
Cynthia R says
That’s so silly, I have never decorated for Valentine’s before but I might give you pretty garland a try. I love the touch of the lights!
Cynthia R says
I meant to say so pretty. Multitasking posts is not smart.
Anne - Mommy Has to Work says
I have a space in my kitchen this would be perfect for! Your’s is so pretty!
vanessa: thequeenofswag says
How cute and festive for Valentine’s Day! I love that you used the left over Christmas Lights to make it. Love it!
Stephanie C. says
What a great idea. It looks fantastic – like you bought it at a store. I can definitely try this – thanks for the idea!
R U S S says
I love this project, Liz! It’s very simple but it’s also very lovely. It’s something that one can tweak for other occasions. I appreciate you sharing this. Imma do it one of these days.
Xenia @ Thanks, Mail Carrier says
How darn adorable is this?! I loved the first picture just showing the fabric but didn’t even realize that the string was a strand of lights… then you showed it all lit up and it was even cooler!! You’re so crafty!
Lisa Rios says
Looks awesome. I like crafty works, but I have never tried something like this. You have great creativity. I really love the color combination you have chosen. Will have to try this for sure. Thanks for sharing your idea.
christine j says
I had to pin this immediately. This would be so much fun to do with my daughter. Thanks for sharing!
Ann Bacciaglia says
This looks so amazing. I have the perfect fabric to try making one of these.
Kero Pinkihan says
that is so sweet! simple too I can make it with my little boy. Thank you for sharing! definitely copying this
Manu Kalia says
Wow. The finish product was amazing. I will let my kids and wife see this. Thank you for sharing!
Kiwi says
Liz my favorite holiday is V-Day and this is simply adorable! I love garlands and I never thought to make some out of fabric what a great idea!
Jhady says
Very creative of you. Perfect for the coming Valentines. I am not so crafty like you, this would nice on my living room.
Margarita Ibbott (@DownshiftingPRO) says
Liz, this is so cute. I am not much of a crafter but I could make this. you make it look so easy. I may have to try this.
Alysia from My Domestic Dish says
Oh wow, is that ever pretty! I don’t decorate for this holiday but, if I did, I would go for something minimalist but incredibly festive like this. Nice job!
Kristin says
Awwwww that is so darling! I want to try to make one!
Eliz Frank says
You did a terrific job of it. They look so pretty and festive. I would never have guessed how easy it was to make. 🙂
Karen W says
Love this!! It’s a great idea for any holiday. I suppose if you wanted to untie them and change the fabric each holiday, you could? Though probably easier to just make different ones. I think I have some lights I never used for Christmas. I may have to try this! The kids can even help me tie them on. Thanks for a great craft idea! It looks great.
Cherri Megasko says
Oh my goodness … how pretty! It looks super easy, too. This would even be great for St. Patty’s Day, Mardi Gras, etc. Thanks for sharing.
Chrysa says
Absolutely stunning! I never thought of doing this with lights. I’ll have to pull out a strand of Christmas lights and try this diy project.
Digna D. says
Very creative. Very nice decoration. Maybe my daughter and I could make this together. Thank you for sharing.
Kendra says
I love this. It makes the whole room love so festive and ready for a holiday. I’ll keep it in mind for Christmas too.
Chrystal @ Nevermore Lane says
I think this would be a great idea for almost any holiday! Especially with all the great fabrics out there.
Wendy @ ABCs and Garden Peas says
The lights are the best part! I’m definitely doing this with my kids. It will be so pretty at bedtime!
Jennifer says
Seriously?! So cute and easy. I love how it looks in both the day and night. I really wish I had a fireplace for stuff like this but hanging in front of a long entry table will have to do.
Melanie says
I love this! I’m not real crafty but I think this is something that even I can do. I might be able to get my girls in on it as well. Great idea!
linda says
Stunning! I think this is soo cute! Your images are great, too!
April @ Everyday Fitness and Nutrition says
That is so adorable and looks really easy to make. I think I could manage to have one turn out well!
Debi says
That is such a cute idea and it wont fall apart like paper crafts.
Chelley @ AisForAdelaide says
Great point! I love that the kids can help make it without tearing the darn thing to shreds!
Ann Bacciaglia says
I have the perfect fabric to make this. I will have to try it and see how it looks.
Christina says
What a fun and easy idea. Thanks so much for sharing. PINNING!
Chrystal @ Nevermore Lane says
That is so cute. We don’t really decorate for the holidays, with the exception of St. Patricks Day, Christmas and sometimes Halloween. This is a great idea though to use other fabric for other events.
Jillian Fisher says
You are amazing. I wish I was crafty, but I am not. Your house always looks so beautiful and festive.
Taralyn says
I love this with the twinkle lights. Adds a whimsical touch!
Chrystal @ Nevermore Lane says
That is what I was thinking. The twinkle would make our fairies very happy according to kiddo.
Taralyn says
I love this with the twinkle lights. Adds a whimsical touch!
Krista says
I LOVE this! This would work really well for other holidays too – I need to plan a trip to the craft store to pick up some fabric asap! 🙂
Debra says
It looks so pretty. Where did you get the crystal mini lights or did you make that too?
Travel Blogger says
That was so easy to do it and it looks great over the fire place too!
Valerie Remy-Milora says
What a beautiful and super simple garland! I’m going to make one for my little one’s room that she can keep forever 😉
Cascia @ Healthy Moms Mag says
That is beautiful! I noticed you changed your blog. You are not “A Nut in a Nutshell,” anymore? I love your blog’s new transformation and name. Have a terrific day!
Lynndee says
Brilliant idea! Nice choice of fabrics too. Now I feel like I want to decorate the mantel too.
AmyLK says
that’s so PERFECT! I am going to have to make one. I imagine you can use red or pink lights too.
Katriza @ Everything Home Life says
WOW! Beautiful and what a great idea! I’m a huge fan in decorating for holidays (hubby thinks I’m nuts) but this just looks great! Can’t resist sharing 😀
Melissa says
SO pretty! I love fabric garland so much. You’ve inspired me!
Terri Ramsey Beavers says
Oh wow, that is so cute. I just made some fabric hearts garland and now I’ve just got to make some like this as well. I love the lights as well.
Avry says
Love this! My favorite part is how you added the lights.. There is just something about that added glow.
Tammy S says
I love this! My daughter always likes to hang lights for each holiday or season. So this would be a great project for us to do together. She always has lights hanging in her room and likes to decorate them. I can’t wait to try this with her! Thanks!
Courtney says
Omg this came out super fabulous!!!! I love valentines day decor because I love pink and red so this is just awesome 🙂
LauraOinAK says
What an awesome idea! I’ll have to see what fabric is lying around the house and try making my own.
Annie {Stowed Stuff} says
This is so so pretty! We don’t have a fireplace, but I could definitely make this with Emily and put it on the banister of our stairs!
[email protected] says
Wow. That is so pretty with the lights. I would totally enjoy those on my mantel as well.
Raijean says
This is so cute Liz, I need to make a garland for my bar. Love this!
Debbie L. says
So cute and so easy – what a great idea!!! I pinned your post to my Craft Board!
Shanna says
This is so pretty and creative!
Donna says
I want those lights! 🙂 You know, I’ve never decorated for V-Day before, but love this idea. And, it looks easy enough for someone non-crafty (like me) to do.
Nicole says
I don’t decorate for Valentine’s Day either but this would be easy to also switch through holidays, just change the ties to St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, etc.
Jenni E. {Sweet Pennies from Heaven} says
Awww, this is so cute! I love how it turned out and it looks SO easy to make! You could do this for any holiday that you wanna decorate for. Now, I just need to find some cute fabric!
Elaina says
How cute is that!? I think this would be a fun and simple craft to do with my kids!
Marielle Altenor says
Wow! You are so creative! I never would have thought of making this cute valentine diy! Love it!
heather meads says
What a pretty looking garland it it looks great on your mantle!
Tessa Smith says
How cute! I love this garland! I like to decorate for all the holidays and just might make something like this with my daughters. Thanks for the idea!
Pam says
I love decor like this! It just adds something special to your home for the holidays that don’t always get the attention that Christmas or Thanksgiving does. Seems like very easy to do also.
Rebecca Swenor says
This is an awesome idea and it is so easy to do too. It looks just gorgeous and I will have to make one of these. Thanks for sharing.
tammileetips says
That is adorable looks great!! I love how easy it is to make and how it spruces up the area.
Elizabeth O. says
Really love the fabric designs! February is coming up soon, so I better get ready!
Tammy Litke (@threedifferent) says
Oh my right?! I can’t believe how fast January is passing us by! In a month it will be Valentine’s Day already!!
Veronica says
That is a very cute garland. I love the lights
Annie M says
How cute, I love how it looks when it’s lit up! My kitty would probably chew it up if I made one :/
Nicole says
This is so cute and easy. Valentine’s Day fabric is so cheap right now since most craft stores are just trying to unload their stock.
Jessica says
What a fun and creative idea! You could do this for just about any holiday just by finding holiday fabric you liked.
Patranila says
Reeally cute. I would have never thought of making a garland for V-Day.
Chelley @ A is For Adelaide says
This is so cute! I love the different fabrics!
Heather says
It looks beautiful and it doesn’t look too hard either. I love your color choices!
Censie says
This is so cute. I love it. It really brightens up the room!
Debra says
This is so cute! I love it!
Laurie Nykaza says
This is so cute with all the different fabrics. I could see doing it for different holidays mixing up the fabrics. I love the way it goes around the lights too so cute
[email protected] says
so very cute and easy!! this is definitely going on my Valentine’s Day Pinterest board!
Rosey says
It did turn out cute as can be. I bet it’s comfy/homey/nice to look at too, when you’re just chilling at the end of the day.
paige jagan says
I love how beautiful it is, and you make it look so simple! I also like that I can use any fabric I might be able to find, I don’t have to use the same ones if I can’t find them.
Tonya C says
Such a cute idea to use the lights with it on your mantle. Fabric garlands have been so popular in party decor lately too.
Tammy Woodall says
Making a Valentine Garland in itself is unique, but its looks great accompanied with the lights.
Richard Hicks says
I think this garland looks wonderful. Would be a nice little project to do with the kids!
Maggie says
That is so pretty! I really wish I had a mantle!
Ellen That Chic Mom says
How pretty and I have lots of lights doing nothing now that Christmas is over! Thanks for the great idea.
Lisa Bristol says
I love this idea. Such a cute and easy way to decorate for Valentines Day.
Birdiebee says
I love your choices of fabric. This looks really awesome and would be a lot of fun to make.
Our Family World says
This is really awesome, I love how it all looks so perfect for Valentines!
Autumn @Mamachallenge says
This is so adorable! It is also a great use for those Christmas lights that just sit around the house for the rest of the year!
Amanda says
I absolutely love the sparkle garland you put in the light string with the fabric! What an adorable holiday garland.
Mama to 5 BLessings says
What a cute idea, these would be great to make for all sorts of holidays! I love this – turned out great!
Pamela :: Still Dating My Spouse says
Oh how cute…..! I think this is something I can do
Nancy says
This is a very cute colorful garland. I like the way it lights up. I also like that it is fabric and can be used over the years.
Meghan says
This is really cute and clever. I love it with the lights! So adorable.
Kristin says
oh how stinking adorable is this garland? I was just telling my husband how I wanted to start some crafts for Valentine’s Day! I need to find this light strand.
Abbie from Lovin' Our Chaos says
This is adorable! I love the lights and feel like you could change out the fabric for different holidays or events!
Cindy (Vegetarian Mamma) says
This is adorable! I need to get on this, Valentines day will be here before we know it!
Onica {MommyFactor} says
What a great way to make a garland. I l like that it’s nice and easy to customized and the end result looks great.
Jeanine says
Super cute and festive! I love stuff like this, I don’t usually decorate for Valentine’s but I think something like this would he adorable!
Elizabeth Copeland says
This is so cute! My daughter would love helping me make this to decorate our mantel! Thanks for the inspiration, especially as I probably have all the fabric I need in my fabric stash already.
Stacey- Travel Blogger says
How pretty! I love how easy it looks to make!
Amanda Ripsam says
I think valentines day is so perfect to make cute projects like this because were stuck in doors (at least in the bitter cold in Michigan) I would love to do something like this. I love DIY
Danette Lykins says
What a Fabulous idea- I love it! Thanks for sharing~
Heather says
Oh wow this is so pretty and it looks like I could actually do it!!
Shauna says
Ha, that is so funny… I was thinking the same thing. Something I could actually do 🙂 HA!
Sara P. (@SensiblySara) says
I LOVE it!! (And I just bought that pink fabric with the swirly hearts … but I bought it in purple.)
Meagan Paullin says
What a pretty idea??!! I love things like this that are really simple to create, but make a big impact. Love it!!
Aisha Kristine Chong says
OMG that garland is way too wonderful – dreamy and valentines – lovey hha! Did I just say that right – but it is beautiful! I love how it was done!
Dee Mauser says
How fun and festive. I love that you added the lights too for nighttime viewing.
Sharon says
I love this. How cute and sweet. Wish I had a fire place, but maybe I could do one around our coffee tables
Janell says
Love this garland…looks way prettier than anything that could be purchased in a store. Can’t wait to make my own!
Tara says
That is absolutely gorgeous! I have to make this, my kiddos would love to help with this project too!
Nicole says
The garland looks great! I’ll have to try this.
Debbie Denny says
that is just adorable. Very creative.
becca says
Oh my what a cute idea. This looks super cute and so easy.
coolchillmom says
This is so adorable and easy to put together. I have to copy you. I love the instant gratification on this one!
Maureen Campaiola says
This makes me want a fireplace with a mantel. This is absolutely adorable.
Michelle F. says
That is such a cute idea. It would be perfect for those scraps of fabric I have.
Pennywise Cook says
I love that you added lights to the garland! I think it would have been pretty without, but that just adds a nice touch!
Lesley says
That looks really pretty. I love red, its my favorite color.
Cathy @ Our Mini Family says
Lovely garland! I love the lights, too! Adds a romantic element to it!
Nina Say says
I love this so much! And one thing I actually have is tons of scrap fabric laying around. I always knew I kept the scraps for something!
Amy says
I have always wanted to make something cool like this! I have so much scrap fabric too hanging around here!
Corey Olomon says
This looks so beautiful. I’ve never thought of decorating for Valentine’s, but this looks great.
Patricia Shreve says
Very nice <3 I love this idea. I saved a picture to my Pinterest. Thank you for your great instructions as well!!!
Michele says
That is really pretty-especially at night! Unfortunately I have no place to put a garland or I would surely make it!
Sarah Bailey says
Oh my goodness that is so cute and it seems really simple to make. I may have to give it a try I can just see it looking fab on my mantel 🙂
Ronnie says
It looks great, especially with the lights on! The fabric you chose was beautiful and the color combo worked perfectly. Begs for xmas or St.Patrick’s themed ones too.. 🙂
Tanya Coffman says
Oh this is so darling! Thank you for sharing this craft idea, I’m going to try it with my boys. It looks simple enough for them – and festive too! 🙂
Pam says
It’s definitely festive without being over the top. I think it is such a cute idea.
Pam says
What an adorable garland! You could use different colors and prints to make this for just about any occasion.
Crystal says
My mom swaps out her mantle garland for each holiday, and it makes the whole room seem festive. I need to make your version quick.
Kori says
That is so pretty! And I love how simple it is to make.
Wendy says
that is super cute! I was just thinking how bland my mantle looks now that the Christmas decorations are gone.
Kelly Hutchinson says
What a unique and clever way to add some fun and color to a room. The lights add another level of prettiness to this craft.
Jamie says
How adorable…and easy!! I love it!! Going to start shopping for fabric scraps and reuse some white Christmas lights. Beautiful!
Aimee SMith says
So cute! I have been looking for just the right garland, this is perfect!
Erica (@Erica's Recipes) says
oh this is really cute! it looks easy and I love the light strand you used. Something like this would look adorbs in my daughters bedroom – thanks for the idea!
Heather says
this is so sweet! I sure wish I had a mantle!
Amy says
This is so super cute and easy to make! It’d go great in my home too!
Catherine S says
I agree, I would love to make these and decorate my house. I like how easy it is to make.
Maria says
This looks so beautiful! I would love to decorate my whole apartment with this garland!
Christie says
Even I could do that! I hate sewing, but this is such a pretty display! Love the lights
Tammy Litke (@threedifferent) says
Oh that would make me smile every time I walked into the room. I like the added lights to this, it helps fill in the season after the Christmas décor has all been put away. I made a Valentine’s Garland for my mantle too – but not out of fabric 🙂
maria @ close to home says
I love the combination of the fabric and fairy lights. That is so adorable. Thanks for sharing this.
Kristen from The Road to Domestication says
Eeek!!! I LOVE that! It’s so cute!!! Especially love the fact that it has two different looks: day and night!
Catherine S says
This is such a neat and crafty idea. It came out really great. I can’t wait to try to make one.
Dawn says
Oh, I am SO making this. It’s too cute! The lights are a nice touch.
Melissa Pezza says
That is just adorable. This looks like the perfect project for me and my daughter to do together.
Shauna says
Okay, that is just the cutest thing ever. I almost want to make a couple for the girls bedroom. Thanks so much for sharing
Stephanie says
I love how beautiful and easy this is.
Shelley Zurek says
Loving this craft. I have never seen a Valentine’s garland.
Jaime says
I need this for my banister. It’s so cute! I’m sad that Christmas decorations had to be taken down…
aimee fauci says
You are so creative and you make this look so easy! I wish I had a fireplace mantel and a little bit of creativity. (just a little)
Kecia says
How cute! I love the fabrics you decided to put together. Oh, the things I would craft if I had a mantel.
Betty B. says
Adorable! this would be great for a photo background also!!!!
Tiffany (NatureMom) says
This is lovely and so simple.
Kelsey Apley says
That is such a cute idea! I am gonna have to make this and use it to decorate in our living room!
Kelli A says
I’m not a huge holiday decorator, but my daughter loves changing her room up for every holiday, she would definitely enjoy this. Will share with her! Great idea!
Jennifer says
This is so cute! I’m going to forward this to my mom. She loves stuff like this.
Krystal says
This is really beautiful. I think I’ll do this with the boys. They’ll love it!
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
My two would get a big kick out of this,too! They’d love helping!
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
That came out awesome. I don’t normally decorate for Valentine’s Day, but this would look awesome in my living room!