DIY PROJECTS: MAKING BUNTING

Note to world: I'm in LOVE! His name is Issac, he's two weeks old and he is perfection. He's my nephew and right now, the centre of everything!  So, I spent the weekend past making this personalised bunting for his nursery. It's such a fun project and so easy to do so I've put together a project board below if you want to try making your own. I used a sewing machine, but all of it can be done by hand.

{materials} 

1/4m jute, 1/4m calico, scraps of printed fabric, 2m ribbon (I used a checked taupe ribbon), animal stencils (I used these), cotton threads to match your fabric, scissors, embellishments such as buttons or stick-on bears.

{step 1} 

Cut out 11cm by 11cm jute squares. The number of squares depends on the number of letters required and how many picture squares you decide to do. I cut out five letters and four pictures, so nine squares in total. I also cut out an additional nine squares to back onto my finished squares to hide all the stitching, but you can miss this step out.

{step 2} 

Using the calico, draw the letters onto the reverse of the fabric. Make sure the letters are back to front so when you turn them over they read correctly. Then cut them out - I used an embroidery scissor here as some of the bits were fiddly.

{step 3} 

Using the printed fabric scraps, draw and cut out your animal/picture shapes.

{step 4} 

Sew the letters and pictures onto the jute squares. 

{step 5} 

Fix your embellishments onto the squares as and where you please. I fixed the buttons by sewing them on and used fabric glue for the wooden bears. Then, if you wish, back the squares up with the extra ones to cover up all the back stitching. Just stitch all around the perimeter.

{step 6} 

Pin the squares to the ribbon, leaving equal spacing. Then sew along the length to fix the squares to the ribbon. 

And that's it. If you feel you need more direction, please don't hesitate to let me know and I will try my best to explain. Hope you enjoy this as much as I did. It also works really well for Christmas, Easter or weddings!

Have a great Easter break! Don't eat too much chocolate!