Handmade Holiday

[title subtitle=”words: Janna and Sara Wilson
images: Janna Wilson”][/title]

In November, our thoughts traditionally turn to giving thanks and counting our blessings. This DIY is a gorgeous way to remind us all year long just how wonderful life really is. It’s easy to do, and we’ve even added a handy digital file on our website that you can download to help you through the process. You can also personalize your design to make your wall hanging one of a kind. This would be a thoughtful, handmade holiday gift for friends and family. You can use any color combinations you like. And remember, you can always upcycle denim, cotton shirts and more to create the floral embellishments!

MATERIALS

• Natural linen or canvas fabric (1/2 yard 60” width)
• White canvas (approximately 11” x 15”)
• Heat N’ Bond® no sew, heavy duty (1 yard)
• Fabric scraps for flowers
• Buttons, gems or other embellishments
• Dowel rod (cut to approximately 18”)
• Heat transfer paper
• Pom pom trim (20” length)
• Ruffled trim (18” length)

TOOLS

• Hot glue gun (and LOTS of hot glue sticks)
• Iron and ironing board
• Sewing machine (optional)
• Scissors
• Pinking shears
• Rotary cutter, mat and ruler (really helpful, but optional)

METHOD -THE BANNER

1. Cut 2 rectangles of banner fabric and 1 Heat N’ Bond® to 15” x 25”.
2. Fuse the 2 rectangles together following the directions on Heat N’ Bond® package. (This step helps to create a heavier, sturdier piece that will hang nicely and minimize raw edges. If you’re a seamstress, you may want to opt for sewing these pieces together to create finished edges all around.)
3. Follow diagram and trim lower corners away as shown.
   
4. Add pom pom trim to bottom edge of banner with hot glue.
5. Use 4” x 8” fabric strips to create the two top hangers for the dowel. Fold raw edges toward center of wrong side of material and tack with hot glue to hold in place. Fold each in half and glue to top of banner 1” from each side edge.
6. Glue ruffle to top of banner overlapping hangers.

PERSONALIZE

1. Cut white canvas into an oval shape (approximately 11” x 15”).
2. Download gratitude quote or design your own wording and print onto heat transfer paper. Follow manufacturer’s directions to apply transfer to the oval.
3. Add a variety of stitching around oval with sewing machine (optional – do not sew through banner and fray edges slightly for texture).
4. Hot glue oval in place on banner.

Note:  Make it personal with a family name, monogram or verse you love.

EMBELLISH IT

We’ve used several types of flowers. You can find examples of all of them on our Do South Pinterest board “Fabric Flowers.” These are all no-sew options that can be made in just a few minutes each. Here’s a favorite one that we designed:

Fluffy Linen Flower

1. Cut strip of fabric 2” x 40” (longer lengths make fuller flowers). Snip into center every 1” along length of strip.
2. Ruffle or gather along uncut, long edge with sewing machine or by hand.
3. Cut a 3” circle of fabric for a base to glue the flower on to. Wind the material in a spiral to create the flower. Hot glue in place. Embellish center if desired.

Bonus:  Make this flower to top off holiday gift packages!

Janna Wilson is a long-time crafter, graphic designer and blogs at jannawilson.com. She and her daughter Sara love creating projects to share, give as gifts and decorate their home.