HOW TO MAKE… A FLORAL BANNER
MATERIALS
Cream fabric, 44 x 26cm (173/ x 10¼") 8 Yarn in pink, mustard, light green, dark green and white Felt in pink, green, grey and mustard Coral fabric tape, 20cm (77/ 8") Rope, 155cm (611/ 8") Pom pom maker, 5cm (2") diameter Glue gun Sewing needle Matching sewing thread Florist’s wire Dowel, 19cm (7½") Card, 7 x 10cm (2¾ x 4") Forget floral wreaths – this season we’re all about the banners. Lucy’s fabric, felt and yarn extravaganza will add instant texture and interest to any wall in your home, plus it’s an easy way to spread those spring feels.
We love how simple the design is to adapt, too. Opt for a subtle palette in muted colours like our version, go for pastel brights to really zing up a plain space, or even enlarge the banner template to make yourself a super-size version.
Fold the fabric in half along the length with right sides (RS) together. Using the template on page 97, pin the banner shape to the fabric and cut around it. Pin together the two banner pieces, keeping them RS together.
02 Cut the length of fabric tape in half, then fold each piece in half again, aligning the raw edges. Pin them in between the two banner pieces along the top short edge, 2cm (¾") in from either long edge, with the raw edges of the tape overhanging at the top slightly.
03 Sew around the banner using a 0.5cm (¼") seam allowance, leaving a 5cm (2") gap for turning. Turn RS out, sew the gap closed, then thread the length of dowel through both of the fabric tape tabs.
04 To make a tassel, wrap pink yarn around the width of the card
several times to create a small bundle, as shown. Cut a length of yarn and loop it under one end of the bundle, then tie to secure. Cut the yarn bundle at the opposite end and remove the piece of card, then tie another length of yarn around the top of the tassel, roughly 2cm (¾") down, to finish.
05 Repeat Step 4 to make nine tassels in total, then sew a tassel onto the bottom point of the banner, and both bottom corners. Sew on the remaining tassels evenly in between.
06 To make a pom pom, wrap yarn around one half of a pom pom maker until full, then repeat on the other half. Close the two halves shut. Cut around the outside of the pom pom maker, between the two grooves, then tie a length of yarn around the centre. Double knot to secure, then open the pom pom maker and remove the pom pom. Trim to neaten, then repeat to make a selection of pom poms – we made two in white yarn, three in pink yarn, three in mustard yarn, two in dark green yarn, three in light green yarn and one in grey yarn. Put to one side.
07 Cut three 35cm (13¾") lengths of rope, then tape the ends to a table or flat surface, as shown. Plait together, then tie off either end with sewing thread and trim to neaten. Put to one side.
Using the template on page 97, cut six small leaf shapes from the green felt. Cut a 10cm (4") length of florist’s wire and, using the glue gun, glue the leaves to the top of wire, referring to the image as a guide. Repeat another three times to make four sprigs of leaves.
09 To make a felt flower, cut a 12 x 5cm (4¾ x 2") piece of felt. Fold in half along the length, then glue the long edges together using the glue gun. Starting at one short edge, use scissors to snip into the folded edge, finishing the cuts 1cm ( 3 /8") from the glued edge. Work along the length of the felt, spacing the cuts roughly 0.5cm (¼") apart, to create a row of fringing. Roll the
