Description
I love making decor that is unique. America’s 250th birthday is the perfect occasion, and while we are just past that big day, this is an all year celebration, and patriotism is always in style. I found this quote by Peter Marshall, and it just struck me as powerful and profound, and the perfect message to hang for all to see. I didn’t know who Peter Marshall was at the time I read the quote, so I did a little digging. He was the chaplain to the Senate, and this quote was actually part of a prayer that he prayed on the 3rd of July in 1947. This project is a lot of fun to do, and there are sewing steps, tracing, cutting, and ironing. My recommendation is to break it up into three parts- sewing the banner and tracing letters, cutting letters, and finally fusing and stitching around letters. It doesn’t have to be done in a day! Use this quote or another that is dear to you, and this will easily become an heirloom your kids fight over one day. Happy Sewing!
Project Time – 1-1.5 hours, beginner
Supplies
- 1 yard heavyweight canvas (or something weatherproof like nylon)
- Assorted fabric for lettering
- 1 yard WonderUnder
- 1 yard interfacing (I used SF 101, but any will do)
- Premade bias tape or grosgrain ribbon (optional)
- Pencil
- Scissors (some with a small point for cutting letters)
- Grommets (and grommet kit, if needed)
- Coordinating thread
- Quote Template (see instructions above for printing)
Instructions
Template printing: the provided template is 24 x 36” and can be printed at 100% scale at your local big box printer quickly and cheaply. If you happen to have Office Depot, the file can be uploaded to their print service. Select blueprint under large format printing and select black and white with 24 x 36” paper for the cheapest option. My copy came to $4.25 with tax, and was ready an hour after I uploaded it on their website. I highly recommend this service!
Using the 24×36” paper template as a guide, cut your canvas 1” larger all the way around (26×38”).
Cut 1” squares from each corner.
Keeping the paper template in place, use the edges as a guide to press the canvas edges in (if the fabric has a right and wrong side, you will press toward the wrong side) using just your fingers or a seam roller. This will be helpful as we hem the banner.
If you have a serger, you can finish the edges of your flag that way, or you can make a bias tape. I am choosing to make bias tape because I prefer the look of it for this project. Alternatively, you can attach a grosgrain ribbon to cover the raw edges of the fabric. If you choose to do 1” ribbon, attach it 7/8” from the raw edges (on the right side) , then we will hem in the next step.
To hem, refold along your creased line (1”) to the wrong side. Using a 3.0 stitch length, edge stitch all the way around the inside edge by using a 7/8” seam allowance from the outer fold. I stitched on the right side with a 7/8” seam allowance, and it caught the 1” fold all the way around. Set aside banner.
Now we will do the wording. You will notice the letters are backwards, and this is on purpose! Trace the letters onto the smooth side of your Wonder Under. They can be jumbled about on the WonderUnder so that you fit them well onto the space, because they will be cut out eventually and you’ll be able to rearrange as needed. Please be aware that this step will take a while. Some parts of sewing are just like that, but the end result is so worth it!
The most efficient way to do this part is to figure out your fabrics, place the words around that fabric, and then cut a piece of interfacing that is about that shape, and then cut the fabric the same size as the interfacing. This method yields very little waste, and you may find you can even use scraps of fabric or interfacing you already have.
So the process is to press fabric > interfacing > WonderUnder lettering
After you have fused all the pieces, you are ready to cut. Please note that this part is also somewhat tedious. If you find that your paper starts to slip as you cut, simply iron over it again and it should stay in place. I highly recommend a walk in the garden before you dive into this part, and then perhaps the accompaniment of an audiobook or your favorite show.
Once your letters have been cut, you can remove the paper backing and place the letters onto your banner. Simply press for several seconds to fuse.
Now you have several options- if your banner is living indoors, you can just leave the letters as is, as they are unlikely to be disturbed. If you want this to stand the test of time, or perhaps being exposed to weather and wind, you will want to follow up the fusing with some stitching. My favorite, albeit slow, method is to use an appliqué stitch to secure the letters. Here, there are so many styles to choose from, and you can choose to use a clear thread if you don’t want visible stitches, or you can use a satin stitch and a bold color to frame each letter. Another method would be to use a simple straight stitch to outline each letter.
Finally, you have the option to quilt it, and just cover the piece in stitches which will secure the letters as well. The possibilities are nearly endless, and I LOVE a project that give opportunity for self expression and embellishment. This is the epitome of that.
The very last thing you will do if you are hanging as a banner or flag is to insert grommets. You can put them along the top or the sides depending on your hanging preference. I am going to suspend mine between the columns in front of my house, but I’m going to add some more stitching before I do so. So you get to see the finished work in the hands of my 10 year old!
NOTE: you can use any design or phrase to make your own banner. Canva is a wonderful tool for creating. For this banner, I used a custom size of 24×36” and wrote out my text. I then saved as an image, then opened another 24×36” template and uploaded that saved image. As soon as the image was loaded I was able to “Flip” the image which gave me the reversed letters. I saved as a printable PDF, and uploaded on the Office Depot website. I chose Blueprint and black and white printing at 24×36”, which is the very cheapest method- with our high Tennessee sales tax, I only paid $4.25 and it was ready in an hour. Whether you use my provided template or create your own, I highly recommend this method! It saves so much time and its really so simple.
Project Author – Meredith Daniel
Machine Used
Continental M7
Feet used: HP foot and plate, Foot F for appliqué of lettering