4th of July Ice Chest Garland

Most people bring out that dusty old ice chest during the summer, and many times it makes its first appearance at the Annual 4th of July BBQ! Whether you are a decorator or not, this simple garland can add a little festivity to your holiday meet-up. It only takes about 20 minutes to do!

WHAT YOU NEED:

-1/4 yd of holiday fabric
-2 yds rope (or just use yarn, length will depend on the size of the cooler)
-sissors
-glue, staples, or needle and thread
-a piece of paper or cardboard for a flag template
-yarn of red, white, blue, or all

INSTRUCTIONS:

1) Make a flag template. I drew a 5-inch long line for the top of the flag. You can use the top of your paper /cardboard as the top edge. Then, measure 8″ down for the length and place a mark. Place your ruler horizontally 8″ below the top of your cardboard or paper. Put a mark at 2-1/2″. This will be the tip of your flag. Use your ruler to draw straight lines from the “tip” mark to each end of the top of your flag. Cut out the flag template.

2) Place the top of your flag template about 1″ below the top of your fabric top edge. This will allow there to be enough fabric to wrap around the cord/yarn that will hold our garland ornaments.

3) Trace your template on the fabric. Don’t trace the top edge. It should look like a “V”.

4) Cut your flag out along the “V”. Cut the empty space at the top straight down to meet the top legs of your “V”.

5) Attach your flags to the cord/yarn by wrapping the little edge over and either putting a few glue marks, two staples, or by sewing it across. I used staples, and you can barely see them.

6) Now, it’s time to make your yarn ball ornaments! Wrap whatever color yarn you prefer around your fingers 10 times. Take the loops off of your fingers and wrap the yarn in the center of the loops 10 more times.

7) Continue wrapping around in different directions, ensuring that all of the loops disappear. You can do a couple wraps in one direction and then another couple in another direction if you want. When you have a yarn ornament at the desired size (mine are about 1″), cut your yarn and use a blunt end of your sissors or a crochet hook (or whatever else you find that will do the trick) to push the end into the center of your yarn ornament. 

8) Cut a ~6″ piece of yarn as your ornament hanger. Put one end of the yarn under 1-3 strands of yarn on your ball and pull it halfway through.

9) Tie your yarn ornaments on the cord in between your flags. Now, go get a beer!