Bunting on the Brain (arm, neck, etc.)

With bunting on the brain from the previous apron project, I fused some more little triangles, stitched them to a length of black-and-white polka-dotted grosgrain ribbon, stitched small mother-of-pearl buttons between the triangles, sewed a large white shank button to one end, and formed a loop at the opposite end.

The result works as wall art, a bookmark (without the small buttons)...

...a Where's Waldo game - can you find the guitar?...

...a neckpiece...

... practice tefillin...

(Collage by Miriam Attia of the wartime 'Rosie the Riveter'  poster with tefilllin  added.  Find a discussion of  this  intriguing image here.  Used with permission.)

...OK, never mind the tefillin. At least it's a low-protection gauntlet/bracelet/quiltlet/:

Mine measures 22" (with the loop closed) and it wraps three times around my wrist. The bracelet shifts as it's worn, so different banners peep out.

That's a Japanese fabric penguin on top. Kawaii, ne?

The banners all have a backing fabric that blends well with the featured sides:


Here's how I made the fused bunting for this project, and also for the mini-apron in the previous post.

The triangles now have fabric, front and back. I do not stitch over the side edges - they just stay raw. These mini-projects probably won't be washed. (If they were going to be washed, and if my fusible web wasn't permanent, I might zig-zag the edges with complementary or invisible nylon thread. It would be tricky - I might scale the triangles to be a little larger, and practice on samples first!)

Once you have enough fused triangles, cut a piece of grosgrain ribbon to 25" (or: Measure around your wrist, add 1"; then add 3" more for the button loop.)

Squeeze a drop or two of sealant (like 'Fraycheck') on both cut ends of the ribbon.

Load your machine with invisible nylon thread, top and bottom.

Choose a large button for one end. I choose a white shank button and stitched it on by hand.

Fold back the other end of the ribbon to form a loop (with the ribbon's good side out). Pin the loop in place and test it until you determine the right size, just big enough for the button to slip through without being in danger of falling out. I folded the end over about 1 1/2", and stitched it down with invisible thread in the machine (Hand tack if you prefer).

Lay out the banners on a flat surface, next to your ribbon, and figure out how to space them evenly.

With a small gluestick or applique glue, glue just under the top edge of the banners, then press them to the front of the  ribbon. Let dry.

With invisible or complementary thread top and bottom, stitch a zig zag all the way down the lower edge of the ribbon, catching all the banner tops as you go.

Stitch mother of pearl buttons between banners, by hand.

I just thought of another use: An absurdly labor-intensive gift-wrapping ribbon!

(That's a Macy's bracelet box underneath).

Also, I was just thinking: Shrink family photos to a tiny size, print them on fabric and cut triangles for a photo banner bracelet.

Do you have any other ideas about what could be done with this creation (or modifications thereof?!)