Large Wall Hanging Tutorial

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How to make a large wall hanging

Well, here it is – finally. The large wall hanging in my living room gets the most questions out of anything in my home. I can’t believe it took me this long to get the tutorial to you! Honestly, it’s a cinch to make and is so adaptable to the size and colors you need for your space. Here are the basics:

How to make a large rag wall hanging

1. Gather your fabric. I used three types of fabric in my wall hanging: an old cotton bed sheet ($1 at a garage sale), drop cloth (you can get it online here or check your local hardware store) and burlap fabric from the fabric store. You are welcome to bring your own style and feel in with your fabric choices – ticking, linen, pattern and color can all work here!
2. Cut your fabric into strips that measure approximately 1″ wide by 2 yards long. You can adjust the length to fit whatever space you are decorating, these are the measurements for my wall hanging. I start by clipping the end of each piece of fabric in one-inch increments then ripping the fabric for a nice ragged edge. Some fabric doesn’t rip well and if that’s the case, then cut. For the burlap I cut 1″ by 1 yard long so I didn’t have to purchase a ton of fabric. 
3. Get a long piece of wood. I used a branch from a dead tree in our yard. You could use a dowel rod or bamboo, whatever you can find long enough and sturdy enough to fill your space and hold the fabric. 
4. If you cut your burlap like I did, in shorter pieces you will need to make a slit toward the end of the fabric piece. See the photo. Be careful not to cut too close to the end of the fabric or it will rip.
5. Lay the burlap pieces out first across the branch and space them evenly. 
6. Wrap each burlap piece around the branch and tuck it through itself using the slit you cut. 
7. Go back and take the long lengths of your other fabrics and add one cotton sheet and one drop cloth piece. Fold them in half, tuck them under the branch and pull the long pieces plus the burlap through the top loop. Don’t pull too tight, let this be a loose and cute part of your display. Repeat across the branch.
8. Optional: In the center of my branch I added a yarn design. I wrapped some chunky yarn around the branch and then once it was covered thick. Take some long lengths of yarn, fold them in half and wrap them into the center of the branch, leaving a loop at the top and tails at the bottom.
9. I added a saw tooth picture hanger to the back of my branch to hang the piece with.
10. I also added a nail to the top front of the board so I can hang things from the large wall hanging seasonally. It looks great layered with a wreath or fresh flower bundle! (I made this Pampas Grass Wreath and you can see the tutorial for it HERE!)
11. Once you hang the wall hanging you can trim the lengths as desired. I left mine different lengths to add to the worn look and feel I was going for, you may prefer a more tailored look. 

This giant wall hanging has traveled with me from the last house to this one and if I move again it will move too. It’s the perfect decorating piece to fill a large space with, great for a soft warm feel and even better for layering and holiday decor. I sincerely love it. Add the fact that it was practically free to make and you have yourself a real DIY winner on your hands. PLEASE show me if you make one – I love to inspire you and knowing that you actually use the ideas I share completely makes my day! Have a fun with this one friend.