(craft tutorial) spring fabric garland

by Jennifer of The Life of Jennifer Dawn for See Vanessa Craft

Looking for a fun way to add a pop of springtime to your home decor? Here’s a tutorial for a handmade fabric bunting that can do just that…

Supplies:
*coordinating fabrics (I love shopping here because of the fabric bundles that have already been coordinated by collection or color.)
*Heat n Bond or other iron-on fabric adhesive that is double sided
*iron
*basic sewing supplies (scissors, thread, pins…)
*sewing machine
*pencil and paper (Confession: I use up most of our computer paper making sewing patterns.)

Directions:
1. Select your fabrics. I used five different ones for the garland shown in the pictures, but any number will work.
2. Prepare strips of fabric that are about 6 inches wide and at least12 inches long. I like to measure down six inches, make a small cut in the side of the fabric, and tear it the rest of the way across to make my strips. Tearing your fabric is a quick and easy way to get even pieces. Fold each strip in half lengthwise and iron it flat. The right sides of the fabric should be facing out.
3. Open one of your fabric strips back up. Cut out a piece of iron-on adhesive that fits along one half of the open fabric strip. Following the directions on your adhesive, iron it to the fabric.
4. Peel off the backing on the adhesive. Fold the strip in half and press it again to adhere the front and back halves together. This makes your bunting reversible and the fabric less likely to fray. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for all of your fabric pieces.

5. Draw a small flag that is about 2 ¾ inches high. It can be a triangle or a swallowtail shape like mine. Cut it out. This will be the pattern for your pennant pieces.
6. Pin your pattern to the end of one of your reversible strips. Cut around the pattern. Repeat this step working down your fabric strip. Cut out pennant pieces from each strip using your pattern. Lay your fabric pieces out in the order that you want to sew them together.
7. Prepare your sewing machine by threading it with a thread that coordinates with the fabrics. Set it up to do a normal straight stitch. Pull the threads out several inches before beginning to sew. Place one of the pennant pieces under the foot and stitch straight across the top. Once you reach the edge, make a few more stitches and insert your next piece. Continue putting fabric flags through the machine and stitching them together into one long strand. Once your garland has reached the desired length, pull the top and bottom threads out several inches and cut them loose.
8. The thread tails on the ends can help with hanging. I even like to use a little tape when hanging mine.

Now you have a springtime bunting that is perfect to use on a wreath, picture frame, mantle, or anywhere.

Jennifer is a wife, mommy, and former teacher who left the classroom to stay home with her three little ones. She’s an avid crafter who loves to dapple in all things creative. Through blogging she’s found a way to share her love of craftiness and spread a little happiness. She blogs at The Life of Jennifer Dawn.