Happy Birthday Banner

A couple of weeks ago I was browsing the internet, searching for inspiration for a good friend's birthday party next month. (I was also really enjoying myself catching up on my favourite blogs ...) Anyway, I found a great idea for a Birthday Banner at Moda Bakeshop which inspired me to create the banner below.

The banner is about 6' long and it's sooo easy to make. I sort of simplified it a bit and turned it into a more English, vintage-country style version, but I think it would look nice in lots of different colourways and styles. It's a great way of using up fabric stash too, I made my flags reversible so my friend could use her bunting all summer long, but you could always back with plain cotton to make your patterned fabric go further if you wanted.

The picture below is from the Moda tutorial - the instructions are really clear - and as well as this banner there are loads of other good ideas on there. Shame it's hard to find Moda fabrics this side of the Atlantic.

When I made my banner, I was a bit sneaky as instead of appliqueing the letters, I printed them onto opaque transfer paper then ironed them onto the flags .. what a cheat!

As well as the bobble trim I also used buttons, ric-rac braid and small jingle bells to enhance my flags. I also used some vintage embroidery from an old tablecloth I found at a thrift shop. It was badly stained in the centre, but luckily the border was fine and great to use for this kind of project.

I am really pleased with my Happy Birthday Banner and will probably make more to sell either on DevonBear Designs or on my stall at the craft shows I'll be attending this summer.