It's always interesting to wander down a new craft path for the first time. So many lessons learned, so many mistakes made and yet at the end of the journey you still have something pretty to show for your hard work even with a few creative flaws. A couple weeks ago I picked up my first Marie Claire Idees magazine and it was the delicious fall issue. I can't understand a word of French but that didn't stop me from being inspired by the amazing crafty photographs. This one did the trick to inspire me for my latest project.
I saw it and I had to have it even with the difficult French word I still can't pronounce. And that is even after a few lessons from dh on how to say it. I couldn't understand a single word of the article so I made up the banner as I went along.
Here were my supplies:
-2 sheets of thick drawing paper for each letter (taken from the children's art supply)
-various fabrics (most is thrifted except for the Halloween fabric)
-3 yards of ribbon (I purchased new)
I started by taking 2 sheets of the paper on top of each other and drawing a simple J. In the beginning I worked a bit slow by doing each letter from start to finish. When I got to Halloween, I did it like an assembly line and it went much faster. Here is an example of the E.
When I chose my fabrics I went through my fabric collection I found at the Sebastopol Flea Market and found colors that spoke Fall to me. I then placed my letters on the fabric and roughly cut around them.
I consider myself kind of a lazy crafter. I take shortcuts if I see them. I started by using the iron but grew bored of that quite quickly and realized I could actually work without it. After the letters had their fabric partner they next headed toward the sewing machine to be stitched. I would start on an easy side which in the E's case would be the long straight side. I stitched very close to the edge.
With outside corners, I would simply fold the fabric over and sew. With inside corners I would clip into the corner evenly. There may be a better method than this but it worked for me. I discovered that letters like E's and H's are quite fun. O's on the other hand were a nightmare. In fact I did a cute little swirly thing on the O that took me at least 10 minutes. By the time I finished the swirly X tail I was done with swirlys. The O in Halloween is swirly free and proud.
Here is the completed E. After I had all of my letters finished I sewed them onto the ribbon. The magazine sewed them over the ribbon but I had to be different and sew them under the ribbon. Partly because I used one of my cute Bernina stitches that look a bit like fall leaves and I wanted it visible on the orange ribbon.
I loved making this banner. I always thought my first banner would be a typical triangle shaped one but this one called my name and my Bernina and I answered. I still haven't named my sewing machine but hopefully one will come to me soon. My next project, which I should start soon, will be two trick or treat bags that are on the opposite Marie Claire Idees page to the banner. I only have 13 days and counting to make them....
Ooohh...you are so talented. I love it! Want one! Want the magazine, too! Seems I'm a little needy this evening, doesn't it? Good job, it turned out perfect...
Posted by: Paula | October 18, 2006 at 07:46 PM
Really, really cute! Great job!
Posted by: Jackie | October 18, 2006 at 07:56 PM
I cannot understand why it is so hard to get my grubby hands on that magazine here in St Louis! The banner looks lovely.
Posted by: Sarah | October 18, 2006 at 07:58 PM
Selina, I am soo impressed. I just got Marie Clarie and saw this banner. I LOVE yours. Thank you for sharing how you did it. Clarice
Posted by: clarice | October 18, 2006 at 08:16 PM
Absolutely wonderful! Now, if only I could find that magazine! I've made so many trips to the bookstores and they are always sold out!
Posted by: Heather Bullard | October 18, 2006 at 08:39 PM
I would love to get that magazine,and i so enjoyed your banner.i thought i"d share an idea of mine with you. I've made happy birthday banners and the first one i cut to squares and bonded them together with fusible webbing, the kind with the paper backing. Next I took a square of fabric and bonded it to the webbing, next i traced the letters, cut them out, pulled the paper off and ironed the letter on the square, so if you didn't want to sew it, this works quite nicely. Try it. Darlene
Posted by: Darlene | October 18, 2006 at 08:51 PM
What a fun, crafty idea! Looks great! :)
Posted by: Marianne | October 18, 2006 at 10:19 PM
Really nice job Selena, I'm very impressed! Nice photo as well.
Posted by: Pam | October 18, 2006 at 10:20 PM
That banner is totally cute!!
And you must be just a wee bit insane after sewing all those letters. I know I would be.
My mind jumped ahead and assumed you would be using spray adhesive or double sided iron-on sticky stuff.
Then I scrolled down and saw the stitching! ACK! I'm beyond impressed!
Posted by: Dannielle | October 18, 2006 at 10:25 PM
Fab banner,great tutorial, will you be showing us the goodie bags? I can't find the Marie Claire Idees magazine , but hey who needs it when we have Selena!
Posted by: carolyn | October 19, 2006 at 02:45 AM
Love it! Just love it! Can't wait to see the bags.
Posted by: robin | October 19, 2006 at 06:30 AM
Very cute! Thanks for the tutorial, I am going to have to try this one!
Posted by: Randi | October 19, 2006 at 06:32 AM
great job!!! i may have to do this but maybe with bella's name. where did you get this magazine? i'm going outta town tomorrow by plane and this looks like a great read.
thanks for sharin'.
Posted by: elizabeth | October 19, 2006 at 06:34 AM
Oh, what a cute idea! Love it.
Posted by: Dee | October 19, 2006 at 06:52 AM
So incredibly beautiful!
Posted by: Athena | October 19, 2006 at 07:12 AM
Very pretty and festive!
Posted by: Anna | October 19, 2006 at 07:18 AM
Selena! That is so pretty. You did a wonderful job!
Posted by: Kelli | October 19, 2006 at 08:37 AM
ooooooh I want one too!
i wish i could find a free second to SIT at my sewing machine. i'm going to have to suck it up and let the house be a mess one full day so i can do some crafting.
how inspiring.
Posted by: Eileen | October 19, 2006 at 09:17 AM
This is great! I have been wanting a copy of the mag for awhile. It would be cute to do the kids names like that- and shorter too which is good for my attention span! Well done!
Posted by: mo | October 19, 2006 at 12:12 PM
in French they would say....trés bien madame !... Very good!! Ooh and you have a Bernina. I 'm planning to buy one, now my last partner has given his last breath( stiches). Wich one do you have?
Posted by: mama ilse | October 19, 2006 at 01:05 PM
This looks fantastic!! I just love it. :) I haevn't ventured into banner's yet but now my brain is turning to try one. :) Love all the fabric by the way . . .
Posted by: Rebecca | October 19, 2006 at 01:40 PM
Aren't you clever for figuring this out! Looks wonderful :)
Posted by: Lilli | October 19, 2006 at 02:31 PM
This is the beginning of Birthday season for us...I think I might use your idea for a Happy Birthday banner. :) Thanks!
Posted by: Roberta | October 19, 2006 at 04:36 PM
So beautiful!
Posted by: Becka | October 19, 2006 at 06:58 PM
I thought the second picture of a completed banner was from the magazine, too...but wow, it turned out to be yours! Fantastic...
Posted by: Barb | October 19, 2006 at 09:14 PM