I’ve been meaning to do this for a while, and now that I finally have a tent and am getting my act together with my display for craft shows, it seemed high time that I have a sign of some sort. So I chopped up a bunch of my vintage pillowcases and stitched them onto some linen fabric, and this is what I ended up with:
I printed the letters about 8″ high on paper and cut them out to use as patterns and zig-zag stitched them onto the linen. (The “.com” is cut out of felt.) It was a pretty time-consuming project, but I’m really happy with how it turned out, so it was worth it. I even like how hectic all the different patterns look — I think it makes you have to look closer at it.
Obviously a few 8-inch letters didn’t use up an entire pillowcase, so I used some of the remaining fabric to make some bunting (I think that’s what it’s called — or pennants?). I just cut out a bunch of triangles with pinking shears and stitched them to three different lengths of ric-rac. At my last craft show I strung them along three sides of my tent and got lots of compliments on them. But before that I hung them up in a tree and spent an afternoon staring at them from the pool. They’re really happy to look at.
Margins. says:
Yay! Oh man, that looks fantastic. Really. Definitely worth the time and effort. What a nice attention grabber. And I love your use of the left over fabric.
Wish I could see it in person at a craft show you partake in!
May 14th, 2008 at 3:22 am
erin says:
That’s gorgeous. I am JEALOUS. I need to make a skirt for my craft fair table, and I am thinking that turning it into a banner would be a BRILLIANT plan. Sadly, I do not have a sewing machine. I suspect there’ll be an Etsy Alchemy request coming up.
May 14th, 2008 at 8:40 am
Avenue says:
Thanks, ya’ll!
Evalynn: You are totally invited to one of my craft shows anytime you have a hankering to see the East Coast. For reals.
Erin: One of my pals made a sweet banner using only felt and hot glue…might be a good non-sewing option.
May 14th, 2008 at 8:57 am
Releia says:
Those are gorgeous. You are really gettin’ the awesome set up. Talented…talented.
May 15th, 2008 at 9:04 am
peaches says:
one of your pals made those flags too!
sign looks good.
good luck at gramma party.
May 15th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Avenue says:
@peaches
True, true. Said pal is one crafty lady. I should also credit her with the idea of printing out the letters to use as stencils.
May 15th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Margins. says:
Sa-weet. I may have to take you up on that. If ever I’m in town, I’ll let you know
For serious.
May 15th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Thelma says:
Great banner & flags! I have been wanting to make something like Tibetan prayer flags, with icons or images that make me smile, and your pennant flags are great idea I may just have to flitch.
And, Erin, you certainly do not need a sewing machine for the banner — all you need is an iron and that double-sticky webby interfacing! You know the stuff, like appliqué quilters use.
Thanx again, kiddo! Keep up the good work!
May 18th, 2008 at 4:17 am
Lon Levin says:
Avery,
I’m a author and photographer and I’ve written a book on Treehouses which is being published by Globe Pequot Press in 2010. I saw your pennant pict and love it. I’d like to include it in the book as an example of what can be done with pennants. I need your approval and a signed release. Please email me back if that works for you. You will get full photo credit and a mention of your site or a url address. I need to know if you are in agreement as soon as you are able.
Thanks, Lon Levin
October 8th, 2009 at 5:28 pm