Whether hanging this garland on the tree, the mantel or above a door, this quality handmade Christmas garland will last for years and become a cherished holiday decoration as well as a family heirloom and it is fun to make.

Craft Supplies:

• Tan felt; 15" x 17"
• Fabric paint in squeeze bottles white, red, pink, blue and green
• 55  6mm faceted beads (clear, red or green)
• White embroidery floss
• Embroidery needle
• Powdered blush
• 2 yards, 1/8" wide ribbon
• Common pins
• Pen or pencil

The garland pictured above is made with ten gingerbread men and uses a piece of ribbon approximately 2 yards long.  To make a longer garland, use a longer piece of ribbon and make additional gingerbread men.

1)Fold felt in half so that you will cut out two gingerbread men at one time.  Trace ten gingerbread men on the tan felt.  Put two pins in each gingerbread man being sure to go through both layers.

2) Cut out each of the ten gingerbread men.  You will actually have twenty gingerbread men - two for each finished gingerbread man.

3) Unpin each gingerbread man and flip it over so that the pen marks are sandwiched between the two gingerbread men.  Re-pin the gingerbread men.

4) Using the blanket stitch, stitch around the outside edge of each gingerbread man.  For instructions on the blanket stitch, check out our sewing information.

5) Using white fabric paint, paint zigzag lines across the arms and legs as pictured.  Make two dots for eyes with the blue fabric paint and a pink dot for the nose.  Draw a mouth with red fabric paint.  Decorate the belly/chest area with fabric paint as desired.  Some options are two little red hearts, two white swirls, 3 white dots or two holly leaves with 3 red berries.

I have broken down the steps for drawing a holly leaf below. Practice on a scrap of felt or paper before painting on your gingerbread men.

6) Once the paint is completely dry, brush powdered blush on the cheeks of the gingerbread men.

7) Approximately 4" from one end of the ribbon fold the ribbon back on itself as pictured. While holding the two pieces of ribbon together as one, tie an overhand knot in the ribbon forming a loop.  This loop will be used for hanging your garland.

8) Place a needle on the opposite end of the ribbon.

9) Thread 5 beads onto the ribbon and slide them up to the knot.

10) Using the needle, entering at one hand and exiting at the opposite hand thread the ribbon between the two layers of felt on one of the gingerbread men. Slide the gingerbread man down the ribbon until it almost touches the beads.  Add 5 more beads sliding them down the ribbon until they are almost touching the gingerbread man.

11) Repeat step 10 until all of the gingerbread men are on the ribbon.  Be sure the gingerbread men are all facing the same directions when you thread them onto the ribbon.  You should end with 5 beads after the last gingerbread man.

12) Make a hanging loop as you did in step 7.  This second loop should be approximately the same size as the first loop.  Cut off any excess ribbon.

Your garland is now ready to be hung on the Christmas tree, on the mantel, above a doorway or anywhere you like.

Printable Instructions & Pattern

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