16 September 2010

My Creative Space: Doily Bunting







When we goccoed CD sleeves on the weekend we also goccoed and stamped on some paper doilies. I am a big fan of the doily. And when I was thinking about decorating the venue for the wedding, I was thinking about it in the 'holy crap I only have two weeks left' way so making some buntings with old paper and doilies and lace (I am still obsessed with lace) seemed like a good idea.
I didn't plan on making anything pink but since the interior of the venue is quite wooden-y (they have nice light wooden panelling all around) I needed a bit of contrast. No muted earthy tones for me! Anyway I like these. And they are all made by me!*

*no husbands were harmed or emasculated during the goccoing of these paper doilies

Quick Tutorial for fans of the doily:


You need:
- paper (scrapbooking paper or old book pages or both)
- paper doilies
- stamps (optional) or gocco print
- bias tape
- lace ribbon 

* Using pinking scissors, cut scrapbook paper and/or vintage book pages to the shape of a bunting flag. The easiest way to do this is to fold the paper in half and cut diagonally across, so you end up with one pointed edge. You can either make all the bunting flags the same size or mix it up by creating different sized ones.
* Optional: Decorate your paper doilies using stamps - OR as we did you can also print or gocco an image onto the doily. We printed the same image used for our invitations, and used a stamp of the Eiffel tower (we got engaged in Paris - it was awkward, because my response was "aren't we already engaged". But that's another story)
* Fold about 10-20 centimetres of the top of each doily down towards the back of the doily, NOT the side you stamped on.  You will sew across the straight stretch of doily created by the fold.
* Set your sewing machine stitch length to 3-4
* Cut about 1,5 to 2 metres of bias tape AND your lace border or ribbon
* Fold the bias tape in half lengthwise, so the two folded edges are on the inside, and place the lace border on top. You can pin if you want to, I didn't (surprise)
* Start top stitching the bias tape and lace border, using a quilting foot if you have one, which gives you a 1/4 inch seam guide. If not, use your regular foot as a seam guide and make sure you sew towards the centre or left border of the bias tape.
* To make bunting, alternate doilies and paper bunting flags and place between the two layers of bias tape. Top stitch.
* Alternate paper bunting flag and doily and place about 20 centimetres apart.

More spaces hot off the press here

7 comments:

Chantal said...

What a great idea! love that you've added in the book page.

Knicky Knacks said...

Love your bunting - just fabulous. Particularly love the stamps on the doilies. So clever.

Knicky Knacks said...

Actually, I've been looking for some stamps for Christmas...do you mind sharing where you got yours from?

Maxabella said...

I confess I adore any kind of bunting, but this is extra special stuff! What a lovely, original idea. x

Anonymous said...

Yikes, your bunting is super awesome! I've always wanted to try making some, thanks for the tutorial, I'm going to give it a go :D

A Thrifty Mrs said...

So beautiful and a fantastic idea!

Steph @HCC said...

Oh love your bunting!
I always wanted to make some but haven't given it a try. Might just have to go for it now!