DIY! Simple Fabric Angels (No Sew!)

In spite of my ability to complicate everything, I LOVE simple crafts. In fact, these are so simple that the kids can make them too! I also LOVE that you can use what you have - doilies, ribbon, fabric, denim - whatever suits your own personal style (and is in your craft stash) works so well for these cuties! So, let me introduce you to my little angels.

I have been making these angels forever...I have made them for Christmas, I have made them for my friends when they had babies...I seriously do not know exactly for how long other than I can tell you that there are a few teenagers that have these hanging in their rooms. I adore their simplicity and ease and even with that simplicity there are so many ways you can personalize the.

{I adore {almost} anything denim!}

This craft is all about easy. I do not even put faces on my angels...My son insists they need faces, so that is up to you! Each of my kiddos has one {my son made my daughters...it has a face!}

 

SUPPLIES

I had all of the supplies on hand - and none of them are hard to find either. 

• Rags or fabric: t-shirts, muslin, denim, etc.
• Styrofoam ball OR Sock OR stuffing OR newspaper
• Rubber band
• Glue (white)

Optional: 

• Ribbon, twine for decorating or hanging
• Halo: Ric rac, Star garland, Ribbon
• For wings: Paper bag, Lace, Burlap, Raffia, Book page, Scrapbook page, Wax paper
• To Hold/Adorn: Jingle bells, Crystals, Buttons, Baskets, cones, stars {use your imagination!}

DIY IT!
Here's a PDF!

• Tear/cut rags into strips. For a 2" diameter head 1" strips will work. For smaller angels, make the strips 1/2" +/-. If you are using a woven rag/fabric you should be able to easily tear your fabric...cut small slits along the selvage edge (the lengthwise finished edge of the fabric) and then grab both sides and tear...it should tear easily and the rough edges add to the character.

• If using a sock/crumpled newspaper: Turn the sock inside out and roll into a ball. You may wish to secure the "neck" to keep it from unrolling with a rubber band or tie. Start wrapping and overlapping the rags up and over the head, holding with the other hand at the "neck." 
• If using a Styrofoam ball: Start wrapping and overlapping the rags up and over the head, holding with the other hand at the "neck."

• When the head is covered and you are happy with the size/length of the angels body...you can continue to go over the pieces you have already used to give the angel a thicker body...tie off with a small piece of rag, ribbon {make it long enough so that you can tie on the wings and then knot it for a hanger} or use a rubber band to hold the fabric in place and the neck "in." {the rubber bands work well if you are doing this with kids}.

• If using a rubber band, take a smaller piece and tie it around the neck to hide the rubber band {make it long enough so that you can tie on the wings and then knot it for a hanger}. 
• Gather, fold or ruffle your wings {i.e., if you are using paper, a fan fold will work, for fabric wings you may be able to just tie off the wings and they will "ruffle" or you can pleat them}.

• Lay the angel face down, place the folded/gathered wings in the neck tie and then knot off the tie to hold the wings in place. 
• Then take the two ends of the ties and knot them together to form a loop for hanging 
• Flip the angel over and take 2 to 3 strips on each side to create arms.  
• Twist those strips together and then secure in front of the angel with a smaller tie or ribbon. You may trim the length of these strips once you are happy with the arms.

• Choose your embellishment {bell, flower, crystal, etc.} and tie it to the angels hands {sing the tie you used to secure the arms) 
• Now you can trim up the angels body length is desired and any other strings. 
• Add halo {ric rac} and secure with glue. 
• If desired, it is really fun to ad jingle bells onto the bottom of the strips that make up the body.

Be creative with your embellishments. I love a simple single jingle bell.

There are so many ways to style and personalize your angels.

So what will you use to make your angels?

 

  This post is written and created at 504 Main by Holly Lefevre