March 1, 2010

St. Patrick's Day Bunting


March is here!  The beginning of spring (although not really here in WI) and St. Patrick's Day are just around the corner.  At our home, we love any reason to celebrate, i.e. decorate.  So here's a tutorial for making a very simple St. Patrick's Day fabric bunting.  This is so simple to make--It only took me a couple of hours, including a gazillion interruptions from my kids.  The sewing is very basic as well, perfect for beginners!

Supplies:
6 sheets of felt (I used off-white)
1 Fat Eighths Pack of Green Fabric (You could also use scraps)
1 Package Green 1/2" Bias Tape
Matching Thread

1) The first step is to cut 9 triangles from your felt (Blank, K, I, S, S, Blank, M, E, Blank).  I drew a template on card stock and then cut it out of my felt.  Then I just used that first felt triangle to cut the rest.



2) Pin your triangles to the wrong side of each of the fat eighths.  You'll have to get 2 triangles out of one of the pieces to have your first and last triangle on the bunting match.  (Don't forget to iron the creases out of your fabric before you pin--Trust me on this one.)







Be sure to leave the felt pinned to the fabric after you cut each triangle, because we'll just go ahead and sew them like that.



3) Draw the letters K, I, S, M, E on card stock.  Cut them out and pin them to a sheet of felt.  Then cut them out of the felt.



Your project should look like this:



4) Using a zig-zag stitch, sew along the edge of each triangle (1/4" seam allowance).  Back stitch at the beginning and end.


Hint (for the sewing amateurs like I am): At each corner, leave the needle in the fabric, raise the presser foot, and rotate the fabric until it's in the correct place to sew up the next side.



5) Using a straight stitch, sew each letter on to its triangle.  Backstitch at the beginning and end.



6) Now get out your bias tape.  You could use ribbon as well, but I like just being able to tuck my triangles right up into the fold.  Leaving an 8" tail on each end, pin each triangle into the fold of the bias tape.  I like the spacing best when they're pinned corner to corner.





7) Using a zig-zag stitch, sew along the entire length of the bias tape, tails included.  Now you're done!

7 comments:

  1. Cute idea! I love the blog and look forward to seeing more of your fun craft ideas!

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  2. I love this one. I appreciated all the detailed sewing pictures too. It makes it more likely that I do it (or something like it) some day ...

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  3. Cute! I like the stiffness that the felt backing adds to the triangles.

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  4. I love this! Just wanted to let you know I've featured you on my site. Here is the link:
    http://delicious-ambiguity-nennyk.blogspot.com/2010/03/diy-inspiring-saint-patricks-day-decor.html
    I hope you'll stop by! -Jenn

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  5. Thanks for the heads up on my button. I'm in the process of getting it fixed (& quite possibly changed) so be on the look out in the next week or 2 for a new one! :) Cheers!

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  6. Hi! Just wanted to let you know that I’ve got a new FEATURED BUTTON & will be starting my new MckLinky party TOT TUESDAYS next week. I’d love it if you’d stop by: http://delicious-ambiguity-nennyk.blogspot.com/2010/03/new-buttons-party.html

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  7. I think I will be making this this year: 2011!

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I can't wait to hear what you think!

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