How To Make A Beaded Garland | Easy For Any Season
This post contains affiliate links which means that at no cost to you, I may earn a commission if you purchase using one of my links. For more information view my full disclosures.
~
Today I want to show you how to make a beaded garland. You can make a beaded garland with only beads or add interesting items to create a festive feel for Halloween, Fall, or Christmas decorations.
Beaded garlands can be made with all types of beads. DIY Wooden bead garlands are very popular, but you can add other cute elements to create something original.
Beaded Garland Supplies
You’re going to need some basic supplies that can be found online or at a local craft store. Some of these craft supplies are completely optional. You can make a garland with only beads or use some of the beaded garland ideas in this post.
- beads with holes like wooden beads or metal beads
- cotton twine or jute twine
- tape
- scissors
Beads for Garlands
The last thing you want to do is drill holes in a bunch of beads, so be sure to use beads with holes. Be sure the holes are large enough to fit twine through. I have a tip for this in the tutorial.
I like to use wooden beads. They can be painted or stained to make just about any color. I’ll cover more about painting or staining wood beads a little further in this post.
What is the best string for a beaded garland?
The weight of the beads will require a sturdy twine. I love jute twine, but sometimes it’s a little too thick. Cotton twine is another option. If your beads have small holes, you can use jewelry wire to make the garland in a pinch. You will also need crimp beads if you use jewelry wire.
If your twine will show, try to use jute or baker’s twine since they are both a little prettier than basic cotton twine.
If you need a very long garland to wrap around a full-size Christmas tree, I recommend making several shorter garlands rather than one continuous garland. Putting too many beads on one garland makes it very heavy which can cause the twine to break. The garland will also tangle more easily.
How To Make A Beaded Garland Step-By-Step
Time needed: 1 hour
Here are the instructions for making a DIY beaded garland:
- Measure and cut your twine for the length you’ll need for your garland.
The first step is to cut the twine to the desired length. The length of the twine will depend on how long you want your garland. As a tip, if you need a very long garland Leave a little extra on each end to create loops for hanging.
- Make a loop for hanging.
Make a loop at one end and tie it off with a secure knot for hanging the garland. This will also keep the beads from falling off while making the beaded garland DIY.
If you want tassels on the end, your loop should be fairly small. - How do you string a bead garland?
The best way to keep the twine from fraying is to put tape on one end. Putting a small piece of tape on the end of the twine will create a “needle” to help string the beads without fraying the twine. You may need to trim the tape with scissors. Just use a small piece.
Depending on how long your garland is, this may come apart and have to be redone halfway through. This is why it’s a good idea to cut your twine a little longer than anticipated. - String the beads.
String your beads and other items in the desired pattern until you’ve reached the end. Items like felt shapes can be glued directly to the twine between beads.
- Secure the second loop.
Create the last loop for hanging by tying a loop at the end of the twine.
The steps for making tassels are below.
How To Paint, Dye, or Stain Wooden Beads
To color wooden beads with dye like Rit, put the dye in a bowl and dilute it with water according to how intense you want the color to be. Pour your beads in and let them soak until they reach the desired color. Drain the beads and let them dry completely before stringing them.
To paint wooden beads, put them on a skewer or a thick piece of wire, paint them, and allow them to dry.
If you want to stain wooden beads with wood stain, wear gloves dip a cloth in the stain and then rub the stain all over the beads. Wipe away as much excess stain as possible so that the stain will dry. Leaving too much stain on the beads will cause them to be sticky and will likely never dry. I don’t recommend pouring wooden beads into stain like you can with dye.
How To Make Tassels For A Beaded Garland
You may want to know how to make a tassel garland, Here are the steps for making tassels for a garland.
Cut a piece of cardboard the length you want your tassels. Mine are 6″ long.
Cut an 8″ piece of twine slide it under the loops and tie once at the top. Slide the loops off and complete the knot.
You can tie this off with a simple knot or use these steps to create a hidden knot in a tassel. Cut an 18″ piece of twine and make a loop. The short end is pointing up and the long end is to the side.
Start wrapping around the loop at the top and work your way to the bottom leaving about 5″ for the next step.
Take the remaining part of the long end and pull it through the loop. Now pull the SHORT end while holding the rest of the long end and pull tight. Trim both ends off as close as possible and the knot will hide inside.
Cut through the loops at the bottom and trim the bottom off straight.
Frequently Asked Questions
This will depend on the size of the beads you use and the length of the garland. If you use 1″ beads, you’ll need 12 beads per foot. If you use 1/2″ beads, you’ll need 24 beads per foot.
This will depend on the length of the garland and the weight of the beads. A very heavy garland can be made with jewelry wire and crimp beads. I make most of my beaded garlands with cotton or jute twine.
Most crafts use cotton twine or jute twine but the most durable string is wire. When using wire like jewelry wire, you may also need jump rings and crimp beads.
You can also see how I’ve made tassels with yarn in a DIY Yarn Garland I made.
Happy crafting,
Denise
