Vintage Bobbin Christmas Garland

Create a holiday garland that’s as unique as your style with this Vintage Bobbin Christmas Garland tutorial. Using vintage spools, colorful beads, and sturdy cord, you can design a charming piece that blends nostalgic charm with personal style. Whether you drape it over a mantel, incorporate it into greenery, or hang it on its own, this garland will add a personal, handcrafted touch to your holiday decor.

When it comes to holiday decorating, there’s something so special about creating pieces that feel uniquely yours. This Vintage Bobbin Christmas Garland is one of those projects that’s not only simple to make but also filled with character and charm.

I think it was last year when I came across a DIY garland in Country Living magazine that instantly caught my eye. It featured a charming mix of wood bobbins—some wrapped with thread, others with twine—paired with red and white beads. I think there may have been a few other details too, but the overall look was so delightful that it stuck with me.

Naturally, I wanted to make one myself. I eagerly added all the supplies to my Amazon cart, but as the total started climbing, I realized it was getting expensive—and, honestly, the pieces weren’t coming together quite the way I imagined. Frustrated, I scrapped the idea, emptied my cart, and moved on. Or so I thought.

The universe must have had other plans because months later I stumbled upon an eBay listing for a lot of vintage bobbins wrapped in green thread. It felt like a sign. Not just any sign, but a sign that I needed to revisit this project and make it my own with materials I truly liked. That meant leaning into my love for vintage finds.

As I browsed eBay further, I discovered another set of spools that looked just like little Christmas trees. (Thanks, algorithm!) It was so serendipitous I couldn’t resist. These items went into my cart, and the rest, as they say, is history. 

I now have a beautiful, custom Christmas garland that feels uniquely my own, and I couldn’t love it more! I’m so excited to share how you can create your garland.

Honestly, you don’t need a step-by-step tutorial for this project. Stringing beads and bobbins onto a piece of twine is straightforward enough. Even so, I thought it might be helpful to walk you through the materials I used and share a few tips to help you create a garland you’ll love (just like I am thrilled with mine).

Why You’ll Love This Garland

• This garland is a one-of-a-kind decoration that adds a personal and vintage-inspired touch to your holiday decor. Using unique materials like vintage bobbins and colorful beads makes it truly special, and no two garlands will ever look the same. It’s the kind of piece that sparks conversations and draws attention.
• It’s incredibly versatile, making it easy to style in countless ways. Drape it along hooks, lay it over a mantel, weave it into a pine garland, or use it as a statement piece on its own. Whether your style is classic, rustic, or eclectic, you can adapt this garland to fit your home perfectly.
• You get to infuse your creativity and personality into the design. While I used red and green for a classic holiday look, you can customize the colors and materials to suit your decor. Whether it’s soft pastels, bold jewel tones, or neutral hues, this project gives you the freedom to make it your own.
• The process is simple yet rewarding, making it a perfect project for anyone. It’s so satisfying to create something meaningful from beautiful materials. By trusting your instincts and using what you love, you’ll end up with a garland that feels uniquely yours.

Love making your Christmas decor?  Me too! In recent years it’s been one of the highlights of my holiday season. I have an entire post dedicated to all my favorite handmade Christmas decor—enjoy!

Materials

Let’s get into the materials list. Remember that the following items are just suggestions and notes of what I used. You can go with all new items, all vintage items, all colorful items, or all neutral items. Make it your own.

• Vintage wood bobbins wrapped with colorful thread: You may already have some of these tucked away, but if not, they’re easy to find eBay, Etsy, or your local thrift store. While vintage ones can be pricier, they let you handpick colors and styles that speak to you.
• Vintage wood bobbins (with unique shapes): I adore the Christmas tree-shaped spools I found on eBay. They were a bit of a splurge, but their charm makes them well worth it. Search for shapes, sizes, or styles that inspire you.
• New wood bobbins: To balance out the cost, I also picked up some new bobbins from Amazon. I’ve linked the ones I used along with a few other options. (Pro tip: Check the dimensions to ensure they work with your design!)
• Wood beads: I kept things simple with red beads that have a slightly rustic finish. However, you can find these in every other color imaginable or use raw wood beads for a more neutral look. Again, just be sure of the size before ordering so it matches your overall design.
• Cord or twine: I used a sturdy 2mm waxed cord in brown. It holds up beautifully and gives the garland a polished look.

How To Make

Okay, ready to make some festive garland? Let’s do it!  I’ll still take you through the steps below. I’ve also provided a materials list and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card below. 

1. Plan your pattern: Lay your beads and bobbins on a table and decide on the sequence. Feel free to copy my design or create something entirely your own.
2. Cut your cord: Measure the desired length of your garland and add about a foot of extra cord to make tying the ends easier.
3. Secure one end: Tie a knot at one end of the cord. Depending on the size of your beads and bobbin openings, you may need a double knot to keep them from slipping off.

4. String the materials: Begin threading your beads and bobbins in your chosen pattern. Keep repeating the sequence until the cord is filled.
5. Finish with a knot: When you’re done stringing, tie a knot at the other end of the cord, leaving three to four inches of space beyond the last bead. This extra room allows the garland to bend and drape nicely when hung.
6. Hang and enjoy: That’s it! Your garland is ready to bring a touch of vintage charm to your holiday décor.

One final tip: If you notice any loose threads on your bobbins, simply add a tiny dab of glue to the end of the thread and press it in place. This quick fix keeps everything neat and secure, and the glued end can be easily removed later if needed.

And with that, you have a beautiful vintage-inspired garland that’s uniquely yours and ready to deck your halls. Love that!

And if you’re feeling generous, this could also make an amazing handmade gift! If someone gave this to me, I would be over the moon! 

Oh, and one more thing before you go. I had a few extra supplies so I made a couple of ornaments. Check them out:

I think I love these ornaments as much as the garland. The extra pieces from my garland-making were transformed into matching ornaments at zero cost. Love that!

I hope this project inspires you to get creative and make something special this holiday season. Whether you use vintage bobbins, colorful beads, or even materials you already have on hand, this garland is a jumping-off point to design something that feels true to you. It’s a chance to bring your personality into your holiday decorating while creating a piece that will be admired year after year.

More Holiday Garlands You’ll Love

• Classic Popcorn Garland
• Gingerbread Cookie Garland
• Colorful Paper Chain Garland
• Paper Star Garland
• Painted Wood Bead Garland

These kinds of projects are what make holiday traditions even more meaningful. So grab your supplies, trust your creative instincts, and have fun crafting this Vintage Bobbin Christmas Garland. If you give this project a try, I’d love to hear what you think! Please stop back and leave a comment and a 5-star rating below. 

Want more from Inspired by Charm? Join the IBC Mailing List for inspiration in your inbox! Follow along on Instagram and TikTok for daily updates and behind-the-scenes looks at my processes. There’s even more inspiration on Facebook and Pinterest! 

Vintage Bobbin Christmas Garland

Create a holiday garland that’s as unique as your style with this Vintage Bobbin Christmas Garland tutorial. Using vintage spools, colorful beads, and sturdy cord, you can design a charming piece that blends nostalgic charm with personal style. Whether you drape it over a mantel, incorporate it into greenery, or hang it on its own, this garland will add a personal, handcrafted touch to your holiday decor.

4.75 from 4 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Handmade Gift, Home Decor Craft

Cuisine: American

Keyword: christmas, christmas garland, garland

Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Ingredients

• Vintage wood bobbins wrapped with colorful thread
• Vintage wood bobbins with unique shapes
• New wood bobbins
• Wood beads

Instructions

• Plan your pattern: Lay your beads and bobbins on a table and decide on the sequence. Feel free to copy my design or create something entirely your own.
• Cut your cord: Measure the desired length of your garland and add about a foot of extra cord to make tying the ends easier.
• Secure one end: Tie a knot at one end of the cord. Depending on the size of your beads and bobbin openings, you may need a double knot to keep them from slipping off.
• String the materials: Begin threading your beads and bobbins in your chosen pattern. Keep repeating the sequence until the cord is filled.
• Finish with a knot: When you’re done stringing, tie a knot at the other end of the cord, leaving three to four inches of space beyond the last bead. This extra room allows the garland to bend and drape nicely when hung.
• Hang and enjoy: That’s it! Your garland is ready to bring a touch of vintage charm to your holiday décor.

Notes

Want more information? Please refer to the blog post for a detailed explanation of the materials I used and links to the specific items.

If you notice any loose threads on your bobbins, simply add a tiny dab of glue to the end of the thread and press it in place. This quick fix keeps everything neat and secure, and the glued end can be easily removed later if needed.