Please don't drink and sew!

Hey all!  No, I wasn't at a rager last night, I was at a sewing party!  I just got back from a Global Etsy Craft Party.  Ok, not literally because that would be insane!  But last night I had a ton of fun thanks to Gather Here in Cambridge (central square) for supplying the cool fabric, thread, needles, food, and more importantly BOOZE!  And thanks to my fellow sewing neighbor, her beer somehow ended up all over my lap!  I think they need to put a disclaimer on alcohol now, Please do not drink while making cutesie birds for an Etsy Party as may end up on neighbor's clothing.  HAHAHAH

The theme of the party was birds, and Spool Sewing supplied one of the bird patterns.  Check out the inspiration for the party here.    

XX 'n O
    Andi

Bunting - DIY

I love bunting, you love bunting, we all love bunting! But maybe after this I don't love bunting so much, LOL!  I just finished making some beautiful vintage decorations for a friends wedding.  Here's what went down:

First, gather your supplies:

Vintage fabric in coordinating colors
Triangle template cut out of cardstock/heavy paper
Pins
Binding or fabric to make binding
Scissors
Sewing Machine
Matching thread
Knitting needle
Iron and Ironing Board

and of course,

Patience, Patience, Patience!

Step one!  Make your triangle template, I did mine about a 6.5 inch equilateral triangle (remember Geometry Class). 

This is the part where you had better love triangles.

Step two!  Cut out all your triangles from your vintage fabric and sew them together (right side fabric together), leaving the top end open.  I sewed in about a 1/4 inch.  This makes it easier to turn the fabric once your done.  


Step three!  Turn those triangles!  Use the knitting needle to push out the pointy end, being ever so careful not to poke through the fabric (like I did on occasion!)

Step four!  Iron Iron Iron.  Press those triangles down with your iron.  If you put the iron on the steam setting you can also get a nice facial, LOL!  I have the best pores now!  

Step five!  Now it's time to add the binding.  You can either use a store bought binding or create your own.  I personally like to make my own, just because I enjoy making myself work a little bit harder (I'm the best slave driver boss I know!)  
           

Step five and a half!  Making your own binding!  So to create your own, and if you don't want a seam, you'll have to make sure you buy enough yardage.  I of course bought fabric that wasn't long enough and so my binding has a seam, but I don't mind it too much.  My finished binding is 1/2 inch, so to create that cut a long strip (however long you would like it) 2 inches wide by 9 feet long.  My finished bunting is 9 feet (5 feet where the triangle bunting are and 2 feet at each end for the tails).  Lay the fabric wrong side up on your ironing board.  Then fold the fabric in half, press with the iron.  Fold the edges in, press, fold for the last time, and really press with the iron!  You can make the grunting noise if you really want to! 

Binding How To!

Step 6!  Now take your triangles and pin them in your binding and sew away!  I used a straight stitch, but you can use a zig zag if you would like!  I sewed about a 1/4inch seam allowance leaving about 3/4 inch in between each triangle with a 2 feet tail at each end.  There are a total of 10 triangles on each strip of bunting.  

Step 7!  Throw yourself a party and decorate away!