DIY Network

Net Ornament Garland Drape your tree in ornaments and netting. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-513

Deck the halls with this glam garland.

When you want a holiday garland that's more dramatic than evergreens or strung popcorn, just turn to Michele Beschen. The B. Original host is a pro at finding energetic new looks to personalize any space.

For this project, Michele Beschen turns to one of her favorite materials: mesh. From fishing net to fishnet stockings, mesh is durable and versatile enough to create great décor year 'round. Scroll down to see how she creates a bold garland by stuffing ornaments into mesh tubes.

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Net Ornament Garland

Materials:

small-gauge mesh or fishnet
needle and thread
assortment of smooth ornaments
decorative string, yarn or rickrack

Figure A

Note: If the garland will be used outdoors at all, use plastic ornaments and nylon thread. If it will be used indoors only, glass ornaments and regular thread are an option.

• Choose a durable mesh material with a fairly small mesh – even fishnet stockings will work.

• Leave the mesh a natural color or dye it with standard clothing dye.

• Select the largest ornament that will be included in the garland and fold the edge of the mesh over that ornament to determine the width needed.

• Cut a strip of mesh wide enough to go around the ornament (figure A). Michele Beschen likes to work with strips between 6' and 8' long.

• Fold the strip in half lengthwise and stitch the edges together to create a tube. Remember to use only plastic ornaments and nylon thread if the garland will be used outdoors at all. Michele Beschen likes to use a mesh needle specifically made to work with netting (figure B); regular needles also work well.
  

  Figure B

  Figure C

  
  

  Figure D

• Tie off one end of the tube with string, yarn or rickrack. Slip a number of ornaments into the tube and slide them to the end (figure C).

• Pull the mesh tightly around the end ornament and tie the mesh with string, yarn or rickrack. Continue down the tube, pulling the mesh around each ornament and tying between the ornaments until the tube is filled. Trim the string around the knots if desired, or leave them loose.

• Create several mesh garlands, and you'll be trimming the tree in a whole new way (figure D).