Don’t you love bunting? I know it’s getting to be overdone, but it’s really just SO easy. I wanted to make some for the kids’ birthday, and I wanted it to be fabric so I could use it again each year, but I also wanted it to be single-sided so I could hang it in Sydney’s room the rest of the year without it screaming, “Happy Birthday!” Here’s how it goes.

You will need:
1 fat quarter for every 3 triangles you want to make (one triangle for each letter if you’re spelling out a name or Happy Birthday)
1 package of double-folded bias tape
1/4 yard of felt or flannel for letter applique

1. Select coordinating fabrics and bias tape.
2. Cutthe fabric into 6″ squares.
3. Place two squares of the same fabric together, wrong sides facing.
4. Cut from top corners to bottom middle to create a triangle (see photo). Repeat until you have the desired amount of triangles.
5. Using a water-soluble fabric marker, draw out the letters to spell the name or phrase on the felt/flannel. (If you want the letters to be on each side, cut out two of each).
6. Cut out the letters carefully.
7. Arrange the triangles in the order in which you want them to appear in the bunting (as a repeating pattern if you’re using a variety of fabrics). (Note: If you are putting letters on both sides, be sure to arrange the back side in reverse order to the front side, so that each reads correctly.)
7. Using either a straight stitch (I used white thread on red flannel for a more vintage look) or a very tight zigzag stitch, applique the letters onto one of each set of triangles, right sides up.
8. Place triangles right sides facing, and sew sides of triangles with a straight stitch (leave the top open).  Cut the tip of the triangle off, then turn and press.
9. Tuck triangles into the fold of the bias tape in order, and pin. Be sure to leave extra room at each end for tying/hanging.
10. Using a straight stitch, sew the triangles into the bias tape.
11. Hang, and enjoy.

Total time, 1.5 – 2 hours.

I’ve seen instructions for these where you can make them reversible by using different fabrics on each side, but I don’t trust my sewing skills to get each side sewn exactly right (so that the opposite side fabric isn’t showing through on the edges). However, feel free to experiment.

Fabric Headband

1) Cut two rectangle strips of fabric 19″ x 3″.

2) Using a rotary cutter (or fabric shears if you don’t have one), cut from the center of each of the strips tapering in 1/2″ toward the end on each long side, so that the middle is the widest part (3″), and the ends are the narrowest (1.5 – 2″). Press the short ends over 1/4″ (you’ll see below), and sew long ends together, with right sides touching. It helps to pin the fabric every few inches to hold it together correctly. (Note how my sloppy cutting left one piece larger than the other. See – you can be an inept sewer and still make this work).

3) Trim any excess fabric you may have outside of the sewn line. Turn fabric so that the right sides are now facing out (you can use a safety pin to help pull one end through the other if you have trouble) and then press seams down.

4) Cut a 3″ piece of elastic. Insert into the open ends of the headband and sew securely shut.

5) Try it on and pat yourself on the back for saving $5 using elastic and some scraps of fabric. Or of course a fat quarter.

Regardless of your timeline, this project is too easy with too cute results. These materials will make two sets of three cloths. (Or one set of six. Three of two?) All you need is:
3 coordinating fat quarters
1 1/2 yards solid color flannel
thread
scissors
sewing machine

1. Pre wash and dry your fabric. Because you’re using cotton and flannel together, it’s important to pre-shrink the fabric.

2. Cut your fat quarters and flannel to 9″ x 21″ (You should have six flannel pieces and fat quarter pieces)

3. Place a fat quarter piece and a flannel piece right sides facing each other. Sew around the edges with a straight stitch, leaving a 4″ gap on a short end to allow for turning.

4. Cut off any excess fabric around the edges

5. Turn the cloth right-side out, making sure to push out the corners.

6. Sew the opening closed, making sure to keep the seems turned under.

7. Using a zig-zag stitch, sew around the edge again, about 1/4″ in for reinforcement.

8. Fold neatly, stack, and package using ribbon and a gift tag.

Project difficult: Easy does it.
Time Required: 45 minutes

My only comments related to the project:
First: I would allow an additional .5″ in the width and 1-2″ length for more generous seam allowances (and because my strap was a bit longer than normal, it appears). I’m sure those issues had to do with my lack of sewing expertise, but since I know most of you are in the same boat, I am just passing along the little bit of wisdom.

Second: I wanted to use Fat Quarters from WV Quilt, so my project was measured to include a seam in the middle. I know this isn’t ideal, but those little fat quarters are just so cute, I can’t help myself.

Instructions:
Ok, now for the project. Choose a piece of fabric and cut to 4.5″ wide by 25″ long. (If you’re using fat quarters, you’ll have to cut 4.5″ wide by 13″ long and sew the pieces together at one end).

I chose the paisley for me, and the dots for my friend and fellow photographer, Lillian.

First, fold the short ends over twice, press, and sew across. Then fold the fabric in half (lengthwise) and sew. Be sure not to sew too close to the edge or you’ll end up with gaps. Not that it happened to me.

Trim off any excess from the seam, and press. Turn inside out.

Now for the hard part. Remove your camera strap. Using a rubber band, fold the harder end of the camera strap in half to make the fabric slip over more easily. Slide on. Reattach camera strap.

Project difficult: Easy does it.
Time Required: 20 minutes