Reuse Fabric To Create Stunning Holiday Decor That Will Last Throughout The Years

While construction paper chains may evoke the nostalgia of elementary school classrooms and the minty smell of paste, they could be something fun that you can add to your home and seasonal décor even now as an adult. While the paper version may not have a long lifespan due to wrinkling, smashing, and coming unglued, there may be a great trick for creating stylish and lasting chains in more grown-up versions that you can bring out year after year. Instagram user @almostmakesperfect shows off how she makes adorable fabric chains with an easy no-sew technique that allows you to work quickly and efficiently.

These chains are a fun and wonderful way to decorate your tree during the holidays according to the latest holiday trends taking over TikTok. Or use them as a garland in spots like fireplace mantels and along walls as you decorate for Christmas on a budget. They also look adorable draped across a bookshelf, hooks, or the top of a curtain rod. You can use them year round to add some whimsy to spaces, like in a nursery, using a bunch of pretty patterns that match the aesthetic of the room.

To create your fabric chain, cut your choice of fabric into strips that, when folded in half, range from 1 to 1.5 inches across. Take the folded strips and secure the sides together with binding tape that sticks when you run an iron over it. If you have a longer piece of fabric, you can cut it into pieces that are the length of the links you plan to create. Cutting it to 2 to 3 inches works well for creating a small chain, while 4 to 5 inches is ideal for a larger link chain. Secure each piece to the next by looping it through the previous one and using some fabric glue to hold the link together. This DIYer uses chip clips, but you could also hold the segments together as they dry with large paper clips or binder clips. 

This is a great project to repurpose fabric scraps and create interesting chains with a variety of coordinated textiles for an eclectic, maximalist look. You can even use more textured fabric either alone or mixed with your printed fabrics, including velvet, satin, or corduroy. Create chains in holiday patterns and classic red and green for your Christmas décor, or opt for a more natural and minimal look with burlap or linen. You can also add a distressed look with fraying or take pinking shears to the strips for a scalloped look.