Here is the Pottery Barn Happy Easter flag that served as my inspiration, although theirs is actually linen. Now…how to create my own version?
Sooo…I asked my CEO Ozzie to give me…errrr…a hand and help me figure it out. We started out by deciding on the size. The finished size of mine is 20 inches wide by 27 inches long, a better fit for my front door and my small house than their larger one. We cut a piece of Kraft paper to size and created our bunny…a simpler, more stylized version…and decided where to place the wording.
- A piece of burlap (Mine is 22 inches wide and 30 inches long. I included extra fabric for the seams and the header for the rod. You could, of course, make yours larger.)
- A piece of broadcloth for lining which is the same size as the burlap.
- Fabric for your bunny (I used duck cloth and measured the bunny itself at 19 inches tall and 10 inches wide)
- Heat n Bond or a similar product cut the same size as the bunny graphic
- A rod for the banner ( Mine is magnetic since my door is actually metal.)
- Print-out of the bunny graphic at the size you have decided that you need (I drew mine freehand, but you could take the graphic above to an office supply store and have them print it for you to the correct size.)
- Print-out of the wording (see below)
- Artist’s charcoal
- White fabric paint
- Sharpie marker
- Small, relatively stiff brush with angled bristles
And here is what you will do:
1. First, make your bunny: Following the directions on the package, fuse the non-paper coated side of the Heat n Bond to the duck cloth. Cut out the bunny pattern and pin it to the fabric, then cut it out.
2. Now, make your banner: Cut the burlap and the broadcloth to the same size. Stitch them together on three sides (the two long sides and one of the short sides, leaving the top open). Clip the two corners.
3. Turn the banner right side out and press, then topstitch.
4. Your banner will now look like this, having been sewn and top stitched on three sides and left open at the top. Now remove the paper backing from the bunny, pin in place and then press according to package directions. This will give your bunny extra body and hold it in place while you top-stitch it to the banner. I used a zig-zag stitch for that.
Now you will add the wording. Print out the graphic above and then cut the words apart.
5. Draw a straight line to help you line up the words. I used the letter a as my base line. Then line up the words and tape together. Place them on the banner and decide where you would like to put them.
6. Cover the back of the words with artist’s charcoal.
7. Pin the words in place on the banner and trace over them, using a ball-point pen and some pressure.
8. When you remove the paper, you should see a faint outline of the lettering.
9. Lightly go over the lettering with a Sharpie and brush off the excess charcoal.
10. Using a brush with short, relatively stiff angled bristles, paint over the lettering using white fabric paint.
11. Work slowly and carefully, letting it dry between coats. I actually used four coats to create a thicker look to appear like embroidery.
12. Once the lettering has dried completely, turn the top edge under an inch and press. Then turn under two inches and top stitch to create the rod pocket.
13. And…taaa daaa!…you have finished your bunny banner! Just insert the rod and hang it where you want! You could use a dowel rod with a length of jute twine attached on either end to hang it as well.
And now that my bunny banner is ready, I will add it to my front porch, along with all of my fun Easter-y touches. I will be sharing my finished porch with you when I join the Swing into Spring link party featuring porches and wreaths on Friday! Soooo…get your spring wreaths and porches ready to share!
Here’s the line-up. Be sure to check out all of the participants for loads of fabulous spring inspiration and add your own each day!
Mantels (Monday, March 17)
Craftberry Bush
French Country Cottage
The Lilypad Cottage
Recipes (Tuesday, March 18)
Marty's Musings
Atta Girl Says
My Soulful Home
Crafts (Wednesday, March 19)
At the Picket Fence
Petticoat Junktion
Uncommon Designs
Vignettes (Thursday, March 20)
Worthing Court
Stone Gable
Home is Where the Boat Is
Porches and Wreaths (Friday, March 21)
The Everyday Home
Our Southern Home
Confessions of a Plate Addict
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed seeing my burlap bunny banner! Please visit these wonderful bloggers and their beautiful blogs to see what they are up to and to find a list of this week’s participants!
Under the Table and Dreaming for the Sunday Showcase Party ,Thrifty Decor Chick for Before and After Monday, Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday , The Stories of A2Z for Tutorials and Tips Tuesday , Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday , A Stroll thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday , My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Tuesday's Treasures, Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays , The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursdays , No Minimalist Here for the Open House Party on Thursdays, French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday , Common Ground for Be Inspired on Fridays , The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday , Craftberry Bush for the Inspiration Gallery on Friday, Creative Juice for the Easter Ideas Link Party
See you next time! À la prochaine!
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Very cute, Debbie! xo
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking that Ozzie would rather see a burlap cat?? :-) Cute project, Debbie!
ReplyDeleteSo stinking cute! You did an amazing job!
ReplyDeleteJeanine
So very, very cute Debbie!!!
ReplyDeleteHow adorable, Debbie! You did a wonderful job.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Sherry
I absolutely adore your bunny banner. Thank you for providing the pattern for the bunny and the wording you used, much appreciated. I always love everything you do, no matter what kind of project. Your tutorial is so helpful also. When I get some ink next week (payday for us seniors - 5 weeks again since last one).
ReplyDeleteA few weeks ago I was at Hobby Lobby fabric dept. and the lady cutting fabric tried to tell me burlap was going out. If so I asked her why is Jo-Ann's getting so many incredible burlap prints? I see so many projects still using burlap. Asked her where she got that info. Never did tell me. Dear heaven I certainly hope burlap isn't "going out of use". It's affordable and easy to use, looks great. Now that I finally figured out how to sew with it on my machine I want to continue. I have to say the printed burlap at Jo-Ann's isn't nearly as reasonable as the plainer burlap. When I buy some it will be with one of their great coupons. Happy spring days
So darling! I love simple, white rabbit images. Thanks so much for the tutorial, and rabbit image. Enjoy your day!
ReplyDeleteDebbie: Thank you for sharing the Bunny Banner...I LOVE IT! You are so clever with ALL of your projects. I have a question...since I recently moved across the country and do not have all my crafting supplies unpacked, did you wash the burlap first and do you think I could go over the writing with a white "Paint Pen?" You can email me at: redesigngal@surewest.net if you can. Thank you and especially for sharing your amazing talent and imagination! {{HUGS}} Joy
ReplyDeleteDeb this is adorable, I like yours better than your inspiration!! Clever, clever lady!!
ReplyDelete