“Um, do you realize you keep singing the 12 days of Christmas over and over. And over? And it’s November 4?”
“Oh, sorry, see it’s just that I’m having the ’12 Days of Handmade Christmas Tutorials’ on my blog, and it’s so neat to see all these cool handmade things from all these talented women.”
Emme chimes in, “It’s really cool dad, did you see the birds Ms. Denise made out of fabric? We’re gonna make those later for our art class. “
He politely {fake} smiles and prays that some other song—-any other song—–will catch fire in my head. {5 minutes of restrained silence}
“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!” I’m sorry. Now you’re gonna sing that all day. I am loving this series and I’m contemplating my Christmas decor as we speak. If you’re just joining the party, first visit Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, and Day 4!
Welcome Heather from, All a Flutter Designs, who is a 30 something wife and momma, maker of handmade goods for children, a lover of all things vintage, and an amateur home decorator. She also has an Etsy shop so be sure to support her by visiting and shopping.
Hello all you beautiful Life in Grace readers!
My name’s Heather and I ‘m so excited to be participating in the
12 Days of Handmade Christmas!
For my contribution I’d like to offer up my
Simple Little Buntings
These are not Martha Stewart’s buntings! No offense Martha.
I like having these hanging up in my house year round with fun and inspiring words.
I create these easy buntings using freestyle stitching and simple fabrics like burlap, seer sucker, and felt. Then I throw in a little velvet ribbon, vintage seam binding, and vivid vintage fabrics
to finish off their one of a kind look.
My favorite part is that you don’t need to be a seamstress to create one of these beauties,
just some simple sewing skills will get you in on the fun.
just some simple sewing skills will get you in on the fun.
Here are a few bunting word ideas-
For a child-
A Child’s Name, Dream, Bebe, Learn, or a Child’s Initial
For a family-
Family’s Last Name, Hope, Live, Home, Merci, Love, Pray
For the holidays-
Joy, Noel, Jesus, Christmas, Peace
This photo shows some of the supplies you’ll need.
You’ll also need straight pins, your sewing machine, and a safety pin.
Just a note- when you make your letters out of fabric instead of felt you’ll want to use lite heat-n- bond so that the fabric is stiff enough to cut, but light enough to stitch through.
Just a note- when you make your letters out of fabric instead of felt you’ll want to use lite heat-n- bond so that the fabric is stiff enough to cut, but light enough to stitch through.
You’ll start by cutting your flags. Each of my flags are 8″ high by 7.5″ wide.
I use these corrugated cardboard scrapbook letters I found at the craft store.
I like them because they’re a font I like, they’re durable enough for repeated use, and thin enough that I can pin through them when I’m using fabric that doesn’t show outlines very well, like felt.
I like them because they’re a font I like, they’re durable enough for repeated use, and thin enough that I can pin through them when I’m using fabric that doesn’t show outlines very well, like felt.
Next you’ll pin or outline your letters onto the fabric.
Cut each one out and set them to the side.
Fold the top portion of your flag towards to back to create a 1″ seam.
This is the channel the ribbon or twine runs through for hanging.
This is the channel the ribbon or twine runs through for hanging.
Flip the flag over to the right side and pin your letters to the center of each flag.
Time for the fun stuff!You’ll want to leave an 1/8″ seam allowance around each letter.
Remember to stitch slowly! Even though we’re freestyling we don’t want to loose control.
When you come to a corner or curve be sure the needle is in the fabric
and then lift the foot so you don’t skip a stitch.
and then lift the foot so you don’t skip a stitch.
I like to go around 2-3 times, sometimes switching up the colors in between.
Admire your work.
Sigh.
Finish the rest of the letters.
Sigh.
Finish the rest of the letters.
Pin decorative ribbon to the front of the banner so that it lines up with the bottom edge
of the back seam. This will seam up the channel for hanging the flags.
of the back seam. This will seam up the channel for hanging the flags.
Pull the loose threads at the edges to create fringe.
This works with all fabric and makes for much cuter flags!
This works with all fabric and makes for much cuter flags!
Tie ribbon or twine to a safety pin and feed through the flags.
Be sure to start with your last flag and work your way up.
Now make one for yourself, for your kids, for your kid’s teachers, for your friends!
On second thought, you better just go ahead and make one for everyone you know because once
they see yours they’ll be asking you for one.
Merry Christmas!
They also make sweet gift tags, too!
I can’t wait to see all the fun buntings y’all make!
Thanks Edie for letting me share my simple little buntings with you and your readers.
This was really fun and I can’t wait to try all the other amazing handmade goodies from these 12 days!
xoxo,
Love them!
I
love it, it’s so versatile…like for my upcoming baby shower I am planning!
So, so cute!! Thanks for sharing!! xoxo
Oh my gosh how adorable. Love this! Man all of the handmade goodness I have seen so far is really inspiring and looks so fun!
I've tried bunting before but now I have to try again. This is way cuter.
I love the 12 Days of Christmas. This is awesome.
I love crafting with burlap. The seer sucker turned out sweet as well. I may have to add some seer sucker to my crafting stash.
Another great tutorial.
Nancy
I think I'm going to try this craft! My Nana makes cookies called buntings each year at Christmas. This would be a great craft to accompany the cookie making.
cute as can be! i have that same vintage sewing book in the last picture…love vintage sewing books!
love this and definitally want to try it this Christmas!
Edie, thank you so much for letting me share my crafty project with you and your readers. I love this series and you are definitely the hostess with the mostess!!
Thanks again!
Heather
Now I'm inspired to DO something with the pile of burlap sitting in my garage left over from another project!
Love these! I am going to make one for my mom's birthday in early December – I even have some burlap stashed in my Christmas decorations.
Love that burlap!
I also wanted to let you know that I have given you an "award"…hope you don't mind being tagged…come on over and check it out!
*hugs*deb
Honstely Edie, did you attend a secret meeting of the-most-creative-people-of-the-world and not tell us?? I am LOVING all the tutorial projects!!! God's blessings, Sarah 😀
You people that have secret stashes of burlap need a craft intervention! 🙂
Buntings are going on my "if I ever get a sewing machine" list. Or have time to sew.
I always thought a bunting was like a winter onesie for babies. I learn so much in this blog!
Another super idea. I have a fall bunting on my mantle now and can't wait to make the noel one.
Ruth
". . . Soon the bells will start,
And the thing that'll make 'em ring
Is the carols that you sing
Right within your heart."
Maybe your husband thinks you should sing only within your heart. You think? My husband thinks I should whistle only to myself. I know how you feel.
Loving, loving this series! This bunting is so cute!
another fabulous one… thanks, edie!!!
LOVE this! Thanks for giving the measurements and everything. I'm gonna make one for a baby gift this weekend! By the way, I LOVE the look of freestyle stitching.
These are so cute! LOVE the idea of a bunting. I think I'll make one out of burlap, white felt letters, and orange ric-rac that says "Happy Fall Y'all".
Cute!!!
And, Edie – I am REALLY enjoying this week!! Thanks for finding all of these great ideas!!
Got mine made…quickly and not as well, but it works! Super fun…thanks for a great idea!!
http://theunlikelyhomeschooler.blogspot.com/2009/11/what-happened-to-thanksgiving.html
i'm so doing this. the kids can design simple graphics instead of using letters.
i'm so doing this. the kids can design simple graphics instead of using letters.