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Eco-Friendly Holiday DIY Burlap Bow - Old World New
DIY / eco-friendly

DIY Burlap Bow + Thrifted Christmas Decorations

eco-friendly Christmas decor tips

I been thrifting, I been thrifting! *Beyoncé voice* I found so many perfect decorations for my “rustic + gold Christmas” in my quest to create an Alternative Christmas Tree (i.e. not spending money/resources on a live or manufactured tree & getting über creative with my take on it – let me be a rebel haha). Check out this easy way to make your own holiday bows using fabric or a wide width ribbon. I used burlap fabric cut at about 6″-8″ wide here.

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Eco-Friendly Holiday - DIY Burlap Bow - Christmas Decor

Materials:

– 4 yards of ribbon or fabric

– pipe cleaners

Burlap Bow 1

To create the body of the bow, use 2 yards of the fabric or ribbon. Fold it back and forth, leaving about 2″ of fabric more on each side as you go. Pinch in the center and secure. I used shiny pipe cleaners to secure this. Obviously the best way, right?

 

peep this visual.  Make it look like this snake.

peep this visual. Fold it to look like this snake in profile.

 

Burlap Bow 2

cut a 20″ long strip of your fabric to make the tail ends of the bow. Cinch in the center by tying a few inches of pipe cleaner around it.

 

next tutorial.  Fold your tail in half (along blue dotted lines), cut along the angled line (in the red area) on both ends, and voila!  Fancy tail.

next tutorial. Fold your tail in half (along blue dotted lines), cut along the angled line (in the red area) on both ends, and voila! Fancy tail.

 

Burlap Bow 3

secure the tail to the body of the bow with a pipe cleaner

 

it is done.   You can leave the pipe cleaner exposed like this one

it is done. You can leave the pipe cleaner exposed like this one…

 

Burlap Bow 5

… or you can cover the center with a small piece of burlap around the center. I secured mine with needle and thread (the hot glue gun didn’t work well for me). You can even go as easy as using a safety pin. Get crafty!  I frayed the edges to go along with my “rustic” look

Thrifted Christmas Decorations & The Alternative Tree

All of the supplies I used to decorate for Christmas were purchased at thrift and antique stores, Home Depot, JoAnn’s and Dollar Tree.

When you go thrifting and thrifting and thrifting and find all of the great things you need to decorate for Christmas!

When you go thrifting and thrifting and thrifting and find all of the great things you need to decorate for Christmas!  Cards, and tree skirts, and garlands, OH MY!  Everything pictured here was found at thrift and antique stores.

 

Thrifted Christmas Decorations

The lights are more sustainable than traditional string lights – Martha Stewart Living LED lights last longer and use less energy

 

I created my own garland by bunching up hand-painted burlap and using garland with wire from the Dollar Tree

I created my own garland by bunching up hand-painted burlap and using garland with wire from the Dollar Tree

 

Christmas Cards!! =)

Christmas Cards!! =)

 

The Alternative Christmas Tree 2014 - This one is made from an old 2x4 and a piece that served as support for a table leaf, both found at Uncommon Goods in Dallas.

The Alternative Christmas Tree 2014 – This one is made from an old 2×4 and a piece that served as support for a table leaf, both found at Uncommon Goods in Dallas.  Trees and sleigh thrifted, battery operated candles from the Dollar Tree.  Angels hanging from ceiling are repurposed napkin rings.  For “gift wrapping” I purchased bags that can be used after the gift is out, and reused gift bags that I’d received at different events I’ve attended. This is a great alternative to wrapping paper if you are only gifting a few items.

 

Christmas 7

thrifted spiral metal ornaments and angel napkin ring – turned ornament. Flowers from a JoAnn’s sale on Christmas things (40% or 50% off woot woot)

 

Just look at those

Just look at those beautiful LED lights =)  Makes my heart happy and the atmosphere cleaner!

 

Another Uncommon Goods piece.

Another Uncommon Goods piece.  They have a lot of architectural pieces that are beautifully in-tact that can be used to create new things.

 

Christmas Christmas 6

Show stopper, Tree topper. Burlap bow and a thrifty little angel.

 

There was also some Beyoncé 7/11 birthday behavior on my IG featuring the Alternative Christmas Tree.  But that's neither here nor there (it's a must see hahaha - follow me! @oldworldnewgirl)

There was also some Beyoncé 7/11 birthday behavior on my IG featuring the Alternative Christmas Tree. But that’s neither here nor there (it’s a must see hahaha – follow me! @oldworldnewgirl)

Did y’all get crafty or keep it traditional with your Christmas decorations?  Leave a link showing me yours, I’d love to see them!

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The Comments

  • aimee fauci
    December 22, 2014

    Love the Burlap.. but I really love that Teavana box under the tree! I think I may get one of those under my tree.

    Reply
    • Addie
      aimee fauci
      December 22, 2014

      Lol, it was a Perfect Tea Maker that I got for my bday. I think every tea lover needs one, it’s AMAZING!

      Reply
  • Danita
    December 22, 2014

    That is a super cute, easy idea! Burlap is really in right, thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Addie
      Danita
      December 22, 2014

      It is, and it’s getting colorful and patterned, as well!

      Reply
  • Eryn
    December 22, 2014

    Wow!! That is super cool!! I will definitely have to try this.

    Reply
    • Addie
      Eryn
      December 22, 2014

      Hope you like it! =)

      Reply
  • FabEllis
    December 22, 2014

    YES! Another thrifter like myself! I love your creativity. I absolutely loved the alternative to a regular Christmas tree. Very nice!

    Reply
  • Louida
    December 22, 2014

    I’m not much of a thrifter but I really need to be. I love your creativity girl and I loved your birthday video on IG!

    Reply
  • Kita
    December 22, 2014

    Love how you mixed it up because I am sure tired of the same ole same ole. I was even thinking about doing the upside down tree.

    Reply
  • nadeen
    December 22, 2014

    Ive been thrifting, Ive been thrifting-FUNNY! I love your creativity and the green with the gold looks beautiful! Not to mention your 2016 pic-awesome!

    Reply
  • Artney
    December 24, 2014

    How cute is your tree?! I love it!!! All of your decorations are nice! You can always find cute, decorative items for the holidays from the thrift store. Oh, I love how you had your own 7/11 “shoot” for your birthday! That’s the way you do it!!!

    Reply
  • 15 Engrossing Ways to Make a Burlap Bow | Guide Patterns
    December 31, 2015

    […] Interesting Burlap Bow Pattern […]

    Reply
  • 31 Interesting DIY Burlap Bow Tutorials
    May 30, 2019

    […] Easy Burlap Bow Tutorials […]

    Reply
  • Creative Reuse | Make Old Christmas Decor Feel Like New — Old World New
    November 25, 2019

    […] making your own ornaments and decorations, especially from food items or from thrifted items. This DIY Burlap Bow is really easy to make, and it yields gorgeous […]

    Reply
  • Craft: 15 Engrossing Ways to Make a Burlap Bow – CrochetingHearts.org
    March 26, 2020

    […] Interesting Burlap Bow Pattern […]

    Reply

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Hello from the garden today. Lots of visitors probably due to the heavy rains.
Hello from the garden today. Lots of visitors probably due to the heavy rains.
Hello from the garden today. Lots of visitors probably due to the heavy rains.
Hello from the garden today. Lots of visitors probably due to the heavy rains.
Hello from the garden today. Lots of visitors probably due to the heavy rains.
oldworldnew
oldworldnew
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Hello from the garden today. Lots of visitors probably due to the heavy rains.
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
1/5
Happy Earth Day 🌍🫶🏾🌱

I used to think “let me just get 5k followers.. 10k followers… one day I’ll have 20k followers…” to help people live more sustainably with the blog posts and social media posts I created. 10+ years of that led to burnout. And it never felt the same as when my friends and family started to live a little more sustainably because of something they learned from me. 

I hope you’ll be the inspiration for someone in your life to be a little bit more sustainable today. It’s such a good feeling to see the people closest to you thrift more, consume less, and think differently — more sustainably — about how we treat our world. 

Don’t push it, just live it. 

Happy Earth Day 🌍🫶🏾🌱
oldworldnew
oldworldnew
•
Follow
Happy Earth Day 🌍🫶🏾🌱 I used to think “let me just get 5k followers.. 10k followers… one day I’ll have 20k followers…” to help people live more sustainably with the blog posts and social media posts I created. 10+ years of that led to burnout. And it never felt the same as when my friends and family started to live a little more sustainably because of something they learned from me. I hope you’ll be the inspiration for someone in your life to be a little bit more sustainable today. It’s such a good feeling to see the people closest to you thrift more, consume less, and think differently — more sustainably — about how we treat our world. Don’t push it, just live it. Happy Earth Day 🌍🫶🏾🌱
4 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
2/5
🥶❌🌱 Not my plant babies! 

It’s been cold in Texas the past few days, so I acted accordingly to protect my little backyard garden that’s barely underway. 

Using thrifted sheets (once back drops in my “thrift fashionista style content” days lol) and thrifted clothes pins (I knew they would come in handy! 😆🙌🏾), as well as some old jugs, bottles, containers, and twigs. Hopefully they help keep the plants from getting too cold to survive.
oldworldnew
oldworldnew
•
Follow
🥶❌🌱 Not my plant babies! It’s been cold in Texas the past few days, so I acted accordingly to protect my little backyard garden that’s barely underway. Using thrifted sheets (once back drops in my “thrift fashionista style content” days lol) and thrifted clothes pins (I knew they would come in handy! 😆🙌🏾), as well as some old jugs, bottles, containers, and twigs. Hopefully they help keep the plants from getting too cold to survive.
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
3/5
Finally got a migrating bird LIGHTS OUT sign 🤩

Turn off your lights (outdoor & indoor) to limit light pollution and to protect migrating birds 🫶🏾🕊️

TURN ‘EM OFF! (in my Teddy Pendergrass voice 😂)

#lightsouttexas #lightsout #lightpollution #migratorybirds
oldworldnew
oldworldnew
•
Follow
Finally got a migrating bird LIGHTS OUT sign 🤩 Turn off your lights (outdoor & indoor) to limit light pollution and to protect migrating birds 🫶🏾🕊️ TURN ‘EM OFF! (in my Teddy Pendergrass voice 😂) #lightsouttexas #lightsout #lightpollution #migratorybirds
2 months ago
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4/5
Do you reuse gift wrap?

Here are some things that I’ve thrifted to reuse as gift wrap each holiday season:

⭐️ tablecloths
⭐️ napkins & handkerchiefs (matching napkins sewn together can be used for larger gifts)
⭐️ Scarves (like from @wrappr)
⭐️ Cloth bags (like the ones your sheet sets come in)
⭐️ Pillowcases
⭐️ Curtains (can be used as gift wrap or to cover larger gifts like bikes or toy kitchens)

As long as you can fold the fabric into a square before wrapping the gift, it works well when using the furoshiki style wrapping technique. 

Comment WRAP for a few tips and tricks to wrap gifts in cloth fabric.
oldworldnew
oldworldnew
•
Follow
Do you reuse gift wrap? Here are some things that I’ve thrifted to reuse as gift wrap each holiday season: ⭐️ tablecloths ⭐️ napkins & handkerchiefs (matching napkins sewn together can be used for larger gifts) ⭐️ Scarves (like from @wrappr) ⭐️ Cloth bags (like the ones your sheet sets come in) ⭐️ Pillowcases ⭐️ Curtains (can be used as gift wrap or to cover larger gifts like bikes or toy kitchens) As long as you can fold the fabric into a square before wrapping the gift, it works well when using the furoshiki style wrapping technique. Comment WRAP for a few tips and tricks to wrap gifts in cloth fabric.
5 months ago
View on Instagram |
5/5
@oldworldnew

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