Paper doily garland how-to

Paper doily garland how-to

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• 6.11.2010

Is it a garland? Is it a banner?
I've been inspired by so many cute banners and garlands in the blogosphere and thought I'd throw together a paper, no-sew version with some doilies I got at Dollar Tree!
Here's some inspiration:
Flickr via DesignSponge by nana company:

Lottie Lulu:

Dottie Angel:

Pick Up Some Creativity:

From Tea For Joy:

From The Purl Bee:

From One Pearl Button:

And there are several paper doily garlands and banners out there, too, ranging from very simple to fancier.  Here's one from Martha Stewart:

And here's a sewn one from Project Wedding:

I love the look of cute banners, and found some cute paper doilies at Dollar Tree (they have them in all different shapes and sizes! in the wedding section).  I know it's not an original idea by any means, but here's my take on how to make a doily garland:
I'm using paper doilies, rubber cement (a glue stick might work but might not last as long), and thin ribbon.  You could use another kind of string or ribbon, but this narrow stuff is a really good width for this.

• Cut your ribbon to a good length.  I just used what was left for this little version of the project, just under two yards.
• Fold it in half to find the center.  Fold your doily in half (I tried to match the scallops) and place it with the inside of the fold against the flat ribbon.  Coat one side with rubber cement.

• Fold flat and press.  Repeat down the ribbon, with whatever distance you want between doilies.  You could go end-to-end, you could put them five inches apart... different looks!  I did mine a few inches apart and fit five onto my piece of ribbon.

Now the question is just, where to hang it?
On the mantel?

 Over the headboard? Blends into the wall...

Over my previous wall art project?

Over my bulletin board?

It's so pretty and feminine!
I think it would also be really cute with the white doilies on pretty colors of thin ribbon.  That stuff comes in like, every color at JoAnn's.
Have you made a banner or garland before?  What did you use it for?