Halloween Cotton Garlands

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• Sewing Machine
• Sewing Notions
• Rotary Cutter & Cutting Board
• Iron
• Marking Pen or Tailor's Chalk
• 2' Quilters Rule
• Candy Garland:
• Fabric, assorted cotton, 1 at 10"x 14" for each candy, 2" strips for roping
• Twist Ties or wire, 2 at 4" for each candy
• PolyFil®, fiber fill, 10-12 oz for 12 candies
• FabriTac, permanent clear fabric adhesive
• Hot Glue Gun/Glue Gun Sticks
• Ribbon, 1/4" W scraps
• Banner with Letters:
• Letter template, abrcd for abracadabra
• Fabric, assorted cotton, 2 at 6 3/4" H x 6" W for each 5" square, additional for letters, 2" strips for roping
• Fusible Web for letters
• Fabric Fusion Tape, permanent fabric tape, 5/8"
• X-Acto® Knife, #11 blade & Cutting Board
• Dowel or Chopstick

DIRECTIONS:

1. Determine length of garland and number of candy pieces. Each candy piece will finish at approximately 8" long, spacing between candy approximately 5". Add additional length of roping to hang garland.
2. Cut 2" wide strips of fabric. Sew together to desired length. RST corners at 90 degrees. Sew at an angle from point to point. When opened there will be a continuous 2" strip. Trim excess close to seam. Press seam open.
3. Mark a line centered down WS of length. Fold each raw edge to center mark and press. Cut short ends to a point at the center. Fold ends in. Fold length at center and press. Sew close to both edges to finish roping.
4. Cut fabric for candy, 1 each at 10" x 14". Fold each 14" side back 1/2", press. On WS of each 10" edge mark a line 4" in. Fold ends to marks (2" fold), press. Repeat.
5. Open 1/2" folded edges. Lay a small bead of fabric glue under fold and press by hand. Open 2" folded edges. Lay a small bead of fabric glue on 1/2" folded sides and raw edges. Refold ends and press by hand. Allow glue to set.
6. Lay candy fabric WSU, 2" folded ends to the sides. Lay a handful of fiber fill in the center of the fabric. Layer with roping (side to side on fabric) and add another small handful of fiber fill. Overlap the 1/2" folded sides 1/2". Apply a bead of hot glue between the overlapped edges. Press by hand. Bundle the end of the candy 2" from the end. Add a twist tie to hold Repeat. Wrap the twist ties with ribbon. Use hot glue to attach.

1. Determine length of garland and number of letters. Each square will finish at 5" wide with 1/8" between squares. Add additional length to roping to hang garland.
2. Cut 2" wide strips of fabric. Sew together to desired length. RST corners at 90 degrees. Sew at an angle from point to point. When opened there will be a continuous 2" strip. Trim excess close to seam. Press seam open. Mark a line centered down length. Press each raw edge to center mark and press. Cut short ends to a point at the center. Fold ends in. Fold length at center and press. Sew close to both edges to finish roping.
3. Cut and sew square panels. Cut fabric, 2 each 6 3/4" H x 6" W. Place RST. Fold top 6" edges back 3/8", press. Sew 1/2" SA around three unfolded edges. Trim corners close to stitching. Turn RSO. Push out corners with dowel or chopstick.
4. Press. Sew folded edges together close to the fold then fold edge down 7/8", to back of square, and press. Repeat. Set aside. Alternate method: close 3/8" folded edges together with fabric glue.
5. Determine fabrics for letters. Consider using fabric that is the highest contrast color to square panel colors. Press fusible web to WS of fabric. Cut out template letter patterns. Lay the letters WSU on fusible web side of fabric. Trace letters. Use an X-Acto knife to cut out letters Remove paper backing on letters. Center each letter side to side on square panel, bottom edge of letters 3/4" up from bottom (unfolded) edge of square Press in place. Lay all square panels WSU in reverse order, side by side. Locate the center of the panels.
6. Fold the roping in half to determine center. Match with the center of the panels. Lay a strip of fabric tape under the 7/8" fold on the center square panel. Press the roping to the tape lining up the top edge of roping with the fold of the square panel. Fold over the 7/8" fold and press. The lower 3/8" of fabric tape will secure the fold in place.
7. Space 1/8" between squares. Repeat.

JOANN HACKS:

• Additional fiber fill may be added to candy once the 1/2' folded sides have been secured.
• Letter squares may be sewn to the roping as an alternate to fabric tape.