Hi, I’m Joette from the Bowdabra Design Team and today we’re going to make a DIY Christmas in July or Summer Patriotic Lantern Swag. This festive lantern swag is perfect for adding a touch of patriotism to your summer decor or for celebrating Christmas in July. The best part is that the majority of the materials can be found at the Dollar Tree, making this a budget-friendly project. So, let’s grab our Large Bowdabra, gather our supplies and get started on creating a beautiful and easy lantern swag.
48” – 4” wide deco mesh ribbon
12” – 4” wide deco mesh ribbon
2 – Single stem Palm leaves
Foliage bush (Dollar Tree)
Berry spray or bush (Dollar Tree)
4 – Assorted floral bushes (Dollar Tree)
24” – 2.5” wide Color Chic Plaid Ribbon
3 – Yards 2.5” wide Color Chic Plaid Ribbon
3 – Yards 2.5” wide Red Burlap
Bowdabra Bow Wire
Large Bowdabra
20” or larger Lantern
First, cut a piece of Bowdabra bow wire. Then, fold it in half and insert it into the Bowdabra. You will have a loop on one side and two loose wires on the other side. This will serve as your slipknot. Tuck the ends under to stay out of the way while you are making your bow.
Next, take the deco mesh and lay the end in the Bowdabra and begin making loops. You do not want any tails with this material as it frays very easily. Then, add some greenery. Next, use a greenery bush, fold it in half and lay each side on opposite sides of the Bowdabra.
Add some filler flower and berry bushes in the same way as you did before. Keep adding florals as desired.
Now, give everything a good scrunch with the Bowdabra wand. Pre-dovetail some plaid ribbon and place that down into the Bowdabra.
Next, working with the red burlap and plaid ribbon together, place in the Bowdabra leaving a tail end. Twist and create loops making sure the right side is facing up. Add two rose blooms one on each side of the lantern swag.
To finish, fold in the ends of a piece of deco mesh and push into the Bowdabra scrunchy bow style from the top down. When you get to the end make sure you fold under to hide any fraying.
Feed the loose ends of the wire through the loop and pull tight while the arrangement is still in the Bowdabra. Remove and turn to the back and tie a knot and a double knot. Fluff and shape the ribbons and florals and use the excess wire to tie it on to your Patriotic lantern swag.
