DIY Bunting Tutorial

Simple Fabric Bunting

 I love the way bunting looks as decoration for a room or a display, and decided I would make some with my old Laura Ashley fabric.  I had gone to England in my twenties and bought fabric from their stores and from Liberty of London, and they've been sitting mostly in boxes since then.  It doesn't look like that particular style is coming back so this seems like a good use to put them to!

I decided on triangular flags 5" by 7.5" and cut out a pattern on graphing paper.

My supplies consisted of a yard total of different fabrics in aqua, white and lavender, a half yard of fusible web, and two packages of extra wide double fold bias tape with thread to match.

I cut 8" wide strips of fabric and folded them in half length wise or 16" wide strips of fabric and folded them over to make them 8"x45" strips.  Then I cut 8" wide lengths of fusible web, slipped them between the layers of fabric (printed side facing out) and ironed them all together.

Then I placed the pattern on the ironed fabric, marked the corners with pencil and using a metal straight edge, cut out the triangles with a fabric rotary cutter.  Then I'd just rotate the pattern and cut another triangle from the other side, so there was no wasted fabric!

When I'd finished cutting out the flags I laid them out on the table to check on the color order and the length of the bias tape, which was 3 yards.

I pinned the triangles inside the folds of the bias tape with two pins per flag - one pin isn't quite enough for me, at least.

Then I used a zigzag stitch to sew the triangles in place.  I made loops on the ends by just folding the bias tape back and zigzagging over the edges.

Done in a day and a half!

Can you guess my favorite colors?  I don't change much over the years!

Jody

www.astudiobythesea.etsy.com

Craft Fair Displays Part Two

More Displays from the Garrison Craft Fair

  
This stunning display belongs to GaryYatteau, who constructs sailboat models of wood, copper, and antique brass.  I so admire the skill of this clever and talented artist, who not only makes one of a kind yacht sculptures, but also built these neat pilings, shelves and a nautical box to show them off.  His customers must feel like they’ve entered a seaside village in Newport or Nantucket.

 Artist April DeMarco avoids the stuffy formality of woolly Propanels and had the excellent idea of showing her original artwork attached to wooden planks that she then ties to her tent.  It matches the outdoorsy, rustic feel of her equine paintings and looks great!

 Virginia Piazza Hand Thrown Porcelain has such a pure, sophisticated simplicity to her work and her display.  Two tables with complementary tablecloth colors, a simple wooden hutch, a few clear plexiglass stands, and a vase of flowers makes up her river’s edge display.  See how the aqua sets off her white and yellow glazes. 

Beautiful and irresistible!

Be sure to keep checking the HVNY Blog for our latest posts.  Later this month is I will attend the Fall Crafts at Lyndhurst in Tarrytown, NY.  This is a major high end fair and I will be sure to share with you what these craftspeople do to make their work stand out for the crowds.

Jody Lee from astudiobythesea.etsy.com

Craft Fair Displays Part One

How you display your wares is an important part of your craft business.  Whether you have only a table or a whole tent to showcase your craft, you can do so much to show your style and create an inviting ambiance that says, “Come in and look!”

Here are a few displays from the Hudson Valley Etsy Team and others who were in the Garrison Craft Fair in August.  You couldn’t find a lovelier spot for a fair, on the Hudson opposite the stony edifices of West Point, with the river only a few feet away from the tents.

Come in and buy me!

Here is a very effective display by Jess of Knot by Gran’ma.  Her two tables are covered in black, and her boxes and baskets are painted black.  This gives great cohesion and brings out the bright colors of her unique hand-crocheted monsters and soft sculptures.  

Take me home, please.

A black basket and child’s chair adds to the charm!

Many of us are constrained to keep our displays as light and simple as possible.   Sarah-Maria of Meerwiibli has two racks for her dresses, two tables for her accessories, a mannequin and even a dressing room for her customers of light and easily assembled materials.  Her tablecloths, banners, and even her hangers match the colors of her clothing designs, making a fun and enticing display.

I loved the clean modern style of L&M Studio!  It was like stepping into a chic shop in NYC.  Her shelves are made from Ikea furniture and wire cables attached to her tent frame hold up her wonderful birdhouses, lamps, and planters.  Gorgeous work in a great setting!

More displays from the Garrison Craft Fair coming soon!

Jody Lee
a Studio by the Sea