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Tuesday, April 26, 2016

DIY Spring Yard Banner

       I have some wonderful neighbors who mow my front side yard.  It really helps me out since my arthritis can get the best of me sometimes.  The neighbors says its no big deal because since he's mowing his side yard, he only takes about 2 more rounds to get my little piece.  Regardless, he has to go around a tree, so I know it takes time.
       I decided to try to make a yard banner for my neighbors.  I found the hanger at Lowes.




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*A Tutorial Tuesday*
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First I used an old banner to get measurements.
 Folded over 20 inches and cut 15 inches wide.
Auditioned sizes of letters.
Made a mistake and cut fabric for letters,
before I ironed on interfacing.


This is my favorite way to do letter applique.
Once I decide from auditioning on paper, the sizes of my letters,
I cut rectangles to help me keep consistant size
as I free hand cut out the letters.
I used to make my letters for
 my classroom bulletin boards like this all the time. 
I free hand cut the flower petals as well.
Nature isn't perfect.

After all letters and the flower were cut and placed,


I put a dab of glue stick
 in the middle of each letter and flower part
where the machine needle would not be stitching. 

      The little dab of glue held everything in place as I zig-zag stitched around all pieces.  Sure beats having pins sticking me all the time.  The iron on interfacing has a surface that doesn't let the pieces slide around and also makes the fabric pieces a bit stiffer and more manageable.  I've been using this method for years, because I have a monster size roll of iron-on interfacting.
      NOTE: Unfold the banner fabric, and applique on one layer of fabric.
Mark 2 inches from the folded top.
At the 2 inch mark, cut in 1/2 inch.
Turn 1/4 inch between cut marks and iron,
 and stitch like I did if you want.
Then turn 1/4 inch again and iron, & top stitch.
With WRONG sides together, (to make a french seam)
stitch 1/4 inch seam down each side from the cut mark.
You can skip this step if you have fabric that doesn't ravel easy.

 Turn right sides together and stitch 1/4 inch down sides
being sure to enclose the previous seam.
Stitch across bottom leaving an opening 
which I've marked with double pins.

 Turn right side out.
Top stitch across the bottom

Stitch a line across the top
2 inches from the top.
Be sure to back stitch at the beginning and end.
This will be the casing to hang on the rod.

Now I'd like to make me one.


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Thanks to the FREE programs:
possibly used for this post

 Photoscape for downsizing & watermarking photo
PicMonkey creating the icon used on this page

Sew Cute Tuesday



5 comments:

  1. Thats a nice sign - can't think of an autumn pun, so I'll let you off making me one!!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your post is a "lightbulb" moment for me. I love garden signs but I can't find ones I like in my small town. I never thought to make my own! THANK you.....I am off to try out your process. (Found you via show off Saturday, SewCanShe.) Do you mind if I demo it at my June Guild meeting? I am showing different Using Your Scraps ideas. I will tell them where I got the idea. nikki_moshier at hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a lovely idea! It's beautiful. With the green background, the banner won't be too obvious, but will still "decorate" beautifully the yard.
    Thank you for participating to my Fabric, Thread and Yarn link party. Have a good day!

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a lovely neighbour to mow your grass and very thoughtful of you to return the favour.

    ReplyDelete

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