Hanging Embroidered Pennant

2023-09-13 -

STEP 1

For this project you will need an embroidered mat, a twig to hang the mat from, stranded embroidery threads, 2 x pearl buttons, a twig plus craft equipment as per materials list.

STEP 2

Attach the embroidered mat to the twig with a length of stranded embroidery thread. Thread a large-eyed needle and double the thread, tying a knot at the end. Make a stitch on the back of the mat near one of the top corners, placing it in a position sensitive to the overall construction of your mat. Work a couple of stitches from the anchor point on the rear of the mat over the twig then wrap the thread around the stitches between the mat and the twig. Attach the button, positioning it as seen before fastening off the thread with a couple of stitches on the rear of the mat. Trim excess thread. Repeat in the opposite upper corner to attach the pennant to the twig.

STEP 3

Make a custom-coloured twisted cord to hang the pennant. This cord is made from six lengths of stranded embroidery thread - three lengths in each shade. Cut the six strands approximately 30% longer than needed and lay them alongside each other. Fold the six lengths in half and trap the centre point beneath a heavy item or ask a friend to hold it firmly. Twist each half in the same direction an equal number of times until each half starts to curl and kink. Pull them taught and then release the centre point.

STEP 4

The two halves will twist together to create a cord; you may need to manipulate the cord to create an even twist. Knot the loose ends together.

STEP 5

Pass the folded end of the cord around the twig inside the attachment point and tie around the twig in a firm knot. Apply a dab of craft glue to secure the knot at the rear of the twig and conceal the end of the cord towards the back of the pennant. Repeat at the opposite side, making the hanging cord an appropriate length. If necessary, use a bulldog clip or peg to keep the knot/cord in position while the glue dries. Trim the twig to the desired final length.

STEP 6

To make a tassel cut several lengths of embroidery thread and lay them alongside each other; the more lengths of thread used the fuller the finished tassel skirt will be. Fold the lengths in half and then in half again. Take a short length of thread that matches the ground colour of the mat. Fold it in half and form a loop in the centre of the body of the tassel. The distance on either side of this loop will indicate the approximate length of the finished tassel.

STEP 7

Fold the tassel threads in two as seen, enclosing the contrast loop. To form the neck of the tassel, take another length of embroidery thread and lay one end alongside the threads that will form the skirt of the tassel, cut ends together. Place the needle alongside it with the eye towards the top of the tassel. Hold it firmly in place and form a wrapped neck to the tassel slightly below the fold point, wrapping the long end of thread from the top to the bottom and then back up again. Thread the loose end through the needle and pull it through the wrapped neck before trimming both ends off neatly below the wrap. Repeat to make a second tassel.