Paper Chain? Nope, It's Fabric

Okay, here's the thing, I have ridiculously expensive taste in everything.  I'm not joking.  I get catalogs in the mail for clothes that cost $200+ for a shirt...A SHIRT!!  Do I buy that stuff?  No, I'm cheap, I don't have that kind of money and even if I did, I wouldn't waste that much on one thing.  No way.

So when I saw this fabric paper chain in the Land of Nod Catalog for Christmas, I wanted it. 

But there's no way you're going to get me to pay $29 for it.  I mean, I know it's not THAT much money, but it's only 20 links long, which means I'd need a lot more links to have it go where I wanted it to go.

That leads me to "knockoffs".  Yes, I do knockoffs.  I figure out how to make something similar, using my know how, my supplies, and my hands.  And typically, when I make a knockoff, it looks almost the same, without the $$$.

Without futher ado, here is my knockoff  fabric paper chain.  Keep in mind, I've only done 8 links so far, simply because I have about 80 other projects going all at the same time, but I will have it done soon.  Oh, and this is the "Birthday" version.  I am also making a holiday version...tonight.

So, How did I do it?

Well, here's the rundown.  You will need:

3+ Coordinating Fat Quarters
Mod Podge
Sponge Paint Brush
4 Sheets Scrapbook Plastic
Sharpee Marker
Rotary Cutter/Mat
Iron & Board
Paper Scissors
Velcro Dots or 3/4 yard Velcro

*If you use the Velcro yardage, you will also need a hot glue gun.

All you have to do is this:

Cut the plastic into 8 1/2" x 1 1/2" strips.  I used the Sharpee marker and my rotary cutting mat to measure and mark so I could make sure I got them all exactly the same size.

Iron the fabric.  Cut the fabric into 9" x 4" strips.

Once you've got the fabric and the plastic cut, bust out the Mod Podge and the Brush (make sure you work on a protected surface so you don't cover your good dining room table with Mod Podge).

Start by brushing Mod Podge over one entire side of the plastic, then place the plastic Mod Podge side down on the WRONG side of the fabric, as centered as you can possibly get it (I just eyeball it).

Next, coat the plastic with Mod Podge (this is the side you didn't coat last time).  Fold the ends of the fabric in, coat the right side of the folded over ends with Mod Podge, then fold one long side of the fabric in and press it to the plastic and fabric ends.

Now you need to coat just the remaining 1/4" of raw edge of fabric on the wrong side with Mod Podge.  Fold that edge under.  Now coat the fabric side that hasn't been folded to the plastic with Mod Podge and fold it over, pressing it to the plastic and the fabric.  Your link should now look like this, sans the velcro.

Let the link dry, then attach velcro.  I am lazy and use sticky backed velcro dots or squares, but if you buy regular velcro, you can attach the velcro using hot glue.

To attach the velcro, you will need to position one side of the velcro on the inside of the link, and the other piece of velcro on the opposite end on the outside of the link.  When the velcro has had some time to adhere to the fabric, you can velcro the link together.

Why do we use velcro, you ask?  Well, this way, you can store your fabric paper chain flat during the "off season" and it won't get bent up, scrunched, or otherwise damaged.

Here's a couple of great things about making your own:

*Use your own taste in fabrics, or use your leftover scraps up.  This way, it's personalized for you.  No one else will ever have the exact same thing in their home.
*Choose fabric for any occassion (how about one for Independence Day, or for that tailgater you're throwing during football season).
*Cost:  For the whole chain...under $10.  Yep, under $10 and that's if you're lazy like me and buy the more expensive sticky velcro.

So, keep getting those catalogs and watching those great designers.  You can create amazing knockoffs for a fraction of the price, and your home can look like you spent a million bucks, when you really spent just a few.

Happy Creating!


Kristin