This tutorial is no-sew and really easy. It's a great way to use up some gorgeous fabric scaps and show off those little treasures and blingy bits we all seem to accumulate as crafters. To make it even easier, I've already created some tags for you! Download them (Page 1 and Page 2), and follow along with the instructions below the main tutorial!
You will need some large buff coloured shipping tags, mine are about 5.5cm x 11cm (2" x 4 1/4"). You can find these in newsagents and stationary supply stores.
You will also need something to string your bunting together. I used some bakers' twine with some subtle metallic thread twisted through it. You could use twine, ribbon, lace, a tape measure, braided cord or even chain or some of that fluffy cord they use to trim fancy lingerie!
I made my bunting 1 metre (approximately 40") so I could string it along a shelf near my desk. Because my tags are fairly large versus the length of the bunting, I only need about 7 tags so it doesn't look too cluttered. If your bunting is longer or your tags are smaller, you could use more of them. Depending on how many other ribbons, embellishments or fabric scraps you want to string along your bunting, the tags could be spaced close together or further apart. I like my bunting to not be too fussy, so my tags are about 10-15cm (4"-6") apart.
To decorate the tags and fill the gaps, you'll need any (or all!) of the following (or whatever else this list inspires you to use!):
- Fabric scraps. I'm using scraps my from Coy Blooms fabric collection
- Ribbon in colours to compliment your fabrics of varying textures and widths
- Old book pages, music notation, kraft paper, decorative paper (e.g for scrapbooking or giftwrap)
- Washi tape, glitter tape, foil tape
- Beads, charms, chandelier crystals, bells, rhinestones, buttons or any other suitable embellishments
- Tassels, chain, continuous beaded string, ric rac, lace.
To finish this bunting you'll need the following:
- Scissors
- Double-sided tape
- Craft glue, hot glue, glue stick
- Coloured pens, markers, metallic pens, gel pens
The idea behind this project is to include affirmations, words of encouragement and inspiration. Hand write these on your tags or on the paper and fabric you stick to your tags as you go along. Here are some examples of what you might write:
- You can do it!
- You go, girl!
- Never Stop Dreaming
- Believe
- Keep Trying
- Keep going
- You're Awesome
- You're the Best
- Don't give up!
- Fighting/ Hwaiting! (ok, showing my love of K-Pop here! Hwaiting, pronounced as Fighting, is a popular word in Korea. It's meant as an encouraging 'You can do it!' and is normally said while making a fist-pumping action. Don't say I don't teach you anything!)
Include an affirmation on at least half of your tags. Make it as personal as you like, it's all about you!
Getting Started
Start by cutting your bunting string to length, remembering to leave enough to tie the ends into loops so it can be hooked or pinned up where you want it. Arrange your tags along the length, without attaching them, to get a real feel for the spacing and how many tags you will need.
Now, the fun bit: decorating your tags! Use a glue stick or double-sided tape to apply papers and fabrics, and use craft or hot glue to attach charms, buttons and other embellishments. Hand write your affirmations as you go. Here are detail shots of my tags and a few notes on how I made each one:
 |
| Fabric, ribbon, foil tape, rose charm applied with hot glue, and handlettering. |
 |
| Torn book page with fabric cut with pinking shears, rhinestones and lace applied with hot glue. |
 | ||||
| Book page and fabric with ribbon, button and key charm |
 |
| Affirmation on craft paper in brass frame on fabric, lace, and ribbon |
 |
| Handlettering with foil tape, glitter tape, flower punched book page with fabric rosebud and flatback faux pearl |
 |
| Handlettering with fabric, velvet ribbon, lace, and hot glued button and rhinestones |
 |
| Fabric with ribbon, glitter tape and foil tape and a rose charm attached with hot glue |
Unless you're going to be hanging them somewhere they will be seen on both sides, you really only need to decorate one side.
When you're happy with your tags, use ribbon, lace or twine to attach them to your bunting string.
Between each tag, tie on ribbons, lace, ric rac, fabric scraps etc. Doubled over washi tape, or paper held in place with double sided tape can also be used to fill in the gaps. I used some dragon tear drops and bells to make mine sparkly and sensory. A few tassels and beaded string and it's all done!
A great Crafternoon project to put some positivity in your day, and put some of your lovely craft supplies on show!
For an even quicker version, download my printable tags (Page 1 and Page 2), featuring Coy Bloom patterns and already adorned with encouraging messages. Here's what they look like (Yay! My first printables!):
Start by printing them out on the sturdiest cardstock that will fit smoothly through your printer. Don't scale or clip before printing, just print at 100%. Cut out the tags and strips using scissors or a rotary trimmer.
You could punch holes where indicated on the tags to hang them from your string (I used cotton string for this one, see above for other ideas!), but I just attached them using glitter tape to keep the string flat and give a bit of sparkle.
Fold the strips in half and use scissors to cut a tail as shown below:
When all your tags and strips are attached to your bunting string find a place to hang it where you can see the positive messages everyday!
I hope you enjoy this tutorial. Don't forget to let me know what you think of it in the comments. Oh yeah, and I'm now on Google+, so add me to your craft and blog circles for more tutorial updates!
Have a great week!
Emma
No comments:
Post a Comment