Tuesday 20 August 2013

So to make up for the fact that I have not posted anything like all summer, I am now going to do my first tutorial post! I am going to show you how to make a banner like this one:
It's pretty simple to make and these are the materials you'll need:

  • A rectangle of fabric about 35" by 28", but it depends on how long your message is going to be (for long messages make it longer than 35", but the other edge shouldn't really change). 
  • A length of fringing (or a similar trimming) the same length as the longest edge of fabric (so about 35") 
  • A string of sequins, at least 2m, but again it depends on the length of your message, I always make sure I have more than enough. 
  • A length of ribbon which is at least 5" longer than your longest side of fabric. 
  • A film of your choice, as the sequin part takes a while. I went for Pretty in Pink for the obvious sewspiration (although I am of the opinion that she massacred that poor lady's prom dress) but this is completely up to your discretion. 
So first put on your chosen film and then...

Pin the fringing along the top edge of the fabric (the long side) with the tassles pointing downwards. Sew this on either by hand or with a sewing machine (if the fabric/ fringing is quite thick I would advise doing this by hand, as you could break your machine!). 
Fold the bottom edge to meet the top edge, so that the fringing is sandwiched between the material. Pin this in place and then sew the pieces together to make a sort of tube. 
Sew about half way up each side of the tube of fabric but leave a hole at the top (the side opposite the fringing) which is big enough for you to fit your hand into. 
Fold over the edges of this hole, pin and then sew around it so that it no longer has a rough edge but make sure your hand still fits inside it! (I don't think I'd make it as a hand model).
Stick your hand inside and turn the tube inside out through the hole (you may need to poke out the edges with the bottom of a pen). 
Your banner should now look like this! Now for the fiddly part. 
Position your string of sequins into the message you want, then, sticking the pins through the middle of the sequins, pin them into place. Only pin a few letters at a time to make it easier and do the next lot when those are sewn down.
Hand sew the sequins into place by sewing the needle through the middle of the sequins, you don't have to sew down every sequin, just do enough so that the lettering stays in place. You can avoid sewing both sides of fabric together by putting one hand inside the tube and just sewing the front, but the other side will be on the back anyway so don't feel bad if you sew them together. 

I picked a rather long message for my banner and so had to stop for a snack break in the middle....also the Otis scene had just come on in Pretty in Pink soo....
 After all that hard work your banner should look a bit like this! I picked a slightly busy fabric so the sequins don't show up that well on camera, but it looks a lot better in real life....promise! 
Attach your ribbon to a safety pin and thread it though the hole at the top of the banner. 

Tie loops at either side of the ribbon, this is what you will hang the banner from. 
Now find a nice hanging place! Put up some nails/drawing pins to hang the ribbon onto and you're all set! 
I really hope this makes sense and your banner works out well! 
Rowan x