Activity:
Hang an Appalachian Holiday Wreath!
Residents of Appalachia have long followed the custom of "use it up and wear it out". Help the environment this Christmas by using fabric remnants to make this beautiful braided wreath! Use small prints or solids in green, red and white. To observe extra eco-awareness, stuff with fabric scraps instead of fiberfill. Include cedar chips in the stuffing for a festive holiday scent!
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What You Need:
- Scissors
- Chalk
- 3 pieces of fabric (6" by 45")
- .25" by 8" ribbon
- .5" by 36" festive ribbon
- Needle
- Thread
- 16 ounce bag of polyester fiberfill or fabric scraps
- Tape measure
- Ruler
- Straight pins
- Cedar chips (optional)
- Sewing machine (optional)
What You Do:
- Measure each of the three fabrics, and mark with pins or chalk.
- Invite your child to cut out each piece.
- With the good side of the fabric on the inside, fold each piece in half lengthwise.
- Have your child measure a 1.5" seam allowance, and mark with chalk.
- Sew along the seams, using a reinforced hand stitch or a sewing machine.
- Help your child to sew only one of the 6" sides closed. You now have 3 fabric tubes.
- Use the ruler to push the tubes inside out.
- Encourage your child to use a small amount of the fiberfill to slightly stuff the tubes.
- Turn the raw edges under and pin.
- Direct your child to clip the closed edges of the 3 tubes together.
- Braid the entire length rather tightly.
- Instruct your child to insert some cedar chips (optional).
- Sew the 3 open edges together.
- Invite your child to sew the two ends of the wreath together.
- Attach a festive bow.
- Now have your child attach a hanging loop. Merry Christmas!
