Whip up a whimsical box pleat banner or garland from leftover fabric scraps. It's easy to do, sew or no sew and just dreamy in your room.
They generally store flat and can be made out of anything you have laying around the house - the more whimsical, the better.
Exhibit A, today's banner, a box pleat scrap fabric garland that I whipped up after I was inspired by a dream.
Yup. A dream.
Weird right?
I know. I'm not usually that girl. Things don't generally come to me in dreams. Well, there was this one time...but that's a story for another day.
Back to the garland.
I knew that I wanted to add a garland to my kitchen hood for Valentine's Day. I had done the puzzle thing and the note card thing and the gift tag thing, too. I needed a new idea.
But I was stuck. I had thought about doing something with fabric scraps, but I was looking for more than just fabric hearts.
Too conventional.
So right before I went to bed, I started thinking about all the fabric scraps I had stashed in my craft closet and all the sewing projects I have done and I must have fallen asleep thinking about my bathroom box pleat valance. When I woke up, I knew exactly what I was going to make.
Magic.
Or pepperoni pizza and garlic knots.
Hmmm.
Ok, so here's how I made my box pleat garland. Just like my box pleat valance, it is really more about the folding/ pleating than it is about the sewing.
AND...if you don't sew, no worries, we can work around it.
I chose my fabric and then cut it into strips that were about 4 inches thick. I did not measure the length, because my pieces were short to begin with. I had to join them in order to get the full length that I needed.
I began by folding my fabric to make box pleats like the one pictured below. For a full tutorial you can check out my box pleat valance post.
To hold the pleats in place (don't laugh- I'm a total cheater) I stapled them with a regular desk stapler.
You can see the staples clearly in the photo below. I used them as a guide and I stitched right over them. When I was all done sewing, I just removed them.
Now, if you are a more proficient seamstress than I, you can do it the "right" way and pin the pleats in place.
Like I did when I ran out of staples.
So much for cheating.
Ah, the irony.
Ah, the irony.
Let's go back to those staples for a minute, shall we?
That's the no sew trick. If I didn't want to stitch over them, there really wasn't any need. I could've left the garland just like that. They didn't show and they held the pleats in place. I also could've used fusible web tape to create them, like I did when I made my kitchen chair.
Fabric glue or the glue gun would also work. See, no sewing required.
When I was done, I cut two hearts out of a coordinating scrap, stitched (or glue) them on to the garland and hung it up.
Fabulous.
Totally charming.
Completely unexpected.
And altogether dreamy.
How do you come up with your creations? Need some inspiration? Check out the Valentine Ideas at All Free Holiday Crafts for tons of Valentine craft ideas.
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| Crocheted Pot Holder Banner |
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| Valentine Sock Angel |
You're my hero! Nice dream.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nancy!! Apparently, I dream in color! ;)
DeleteTotally Charming and beautiful. LOL I love that this came to you in a dream. Very creative and oh so pretty.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Kris
Thank you, Kris! I really like this one. At first I thought it might just look like an awkward ruffle hanging there, but I fall deeper in love with it the more I stare…
DeleteVery cute, Mrs. Creativity! I still have yet to EVER make a banner. Speaking of dreams, while the maintenance guy was over here, he said someone told him we work out everything in dreams.
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Thanks Brenda! And really?? Oh boy, then I need to get to sleep and stay asleep for a good long time! ;)
DeleteCute, cute, cute! You are the banner queen. :)
ReplyDeleteWhy thank you, Stacey!! When the house is finished, I’d love to send you one. :)
DeleteLove it! Anything to use up fabric scraps is a winner in my book. My ideas usually come when I'm in bed. I often wake up in the middle of the night and need a bathroom break or a drink of water. Going back to sleep can be a problem, and that's when inspiration usually strikes. xo
ReplyDeleteThose midnight wake ups get me too, Nancy! It sounds like you put them to good use. You have been very creative lately. I have a good book, thanks to a good friend, and so lately I have been rereading pages during those times. :) xoxo Hugs to you my friend.
DeleteI often wake up in the morning with a solution to whatever I needed to solve the night before, but not sure I dreamt about it! How perfect to put it together from your dream! Pretty!!
ReplyDeleteThey do that say that everything looks better in the morning! :)
DeleteCute, cute, cute! And as someone who sews, I can attest to the use of staples. Btdt.
ReplyDeleteMy mind is always racing...even when I'm dreaming, but I get my ideas on Pinterest. Talk about a cheater lol.
xxx
Pinterest is a great place for inspiration, Doreen! I cheat there often, too. ;)
DeleteWell, aren't you a clever girl, Kim? That turned out really cute. Love the stapling idea. I have always pinned in place...can't tell you the number of needles I have broken over the years hitting a pin that I 'missed'. lol Love the box garland! xo Diana
ReplyDeleteWhen I was little, Diana, I had a “make your own Barbie clothes” kit. It contained fabric, patterns and a small stapler! Ha! Apparently, my first “sewing” lessons have stuck with me! ;)
DeleteI envy you and your creativity and your scrap pile, Kim. If I had a scrap pile it would be proof positive I was creative. So I'm pile~less. I do have you for inspiration. I'll try to remember my dreams as well!
ReplyDeleteJane x
Thank you so much, and you are super creative, Jane! I cannot cook like you can and I would love to possess some of that kind of creativity! :)
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI love banners. You do have a gift with fun ideas. I always appreciate that you share your talent.
Thanks Carla! Your sweet words just make my day! :)
DeleteTotally great idea and I loved the staple tip! I'm going to do that next time I pleat something. Pinned onto my Crafts to Make and DIY Projects boards. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteBarb :)
Thanks so much, Barbara! I love getting pinned...and glad that you love the staples! ;)
DeleteYup, staples. I definitely would have gone that route myself. ;) Your banner is too cute!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kristi...and here's to no sew projects and staples! ;)
Deletewow Kim between the pepperoni pizza and magic what a great idea you woke up with and it looks just stunning! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Deb! If I were truly creative, I could whip up a fabulous quilt with all those scraps like you do, but I think it'd take a lot more than pepperoni pizza for that! ;)
DeleteWhat an amazing idea! It looks sooo pretty. And this is why I always keep my fabric scraps. :)Have a wonderful day! xxx Maria
ReplyDeleteThank you, Maria Elena. I love being able to use those scraps up! Sometimes the scrap projects are more fun than the original use... ;)
DeleteVery charming - I want to make a garland for the den's fireplace this week. I think it adds a little whimsy and pretty to a room we use often so why not?
ReplyDeleteI totally agree!! I add them in the kitchen often. They just add a little something fun to the atmosphere.
DeleteSorry Kim, but I did laugh cause it sounds like something I would do too! It turned out great...LOVE IT!
ReplyDeleteThanks Karen! I'm glad to know that I'm in good creative company! And laughing is always welcome!! ;)
DeleteDream On, Sister! You have given us so many pretty ideas and if that is what it takes, dream on!!!. Love it. Really charming and different..Happy Wednesday..Judy
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Judy!! It is different and I wasn't sure it would look right as a banner, but now I am in love. I am glad you like it too...so easy to make. :)
DeleteKim,
ReplyDeleteIt is what it is...and that's amazing.
Love how you make something adorable from something unremarkable.
And the staples...genius!
Thank you so much, Julie!! So many kind words. What a way to make my day! :)
DeleteYou are so talented with the sewing machine,the garland is perfection.
ReplyDeleteThanks
Thank you, Maria! I get along with the sewing machine in small doses. Sometimes, it doesn't like me!! ;)
DeleteThis is so adorable and I love the pot holder as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks Vanessa! I’m glad you like this one…wasn’t sure about the concept at first, but it worked out well!
DeleteCuteness plus! You have just the right way with fabric and sewing and no patterns!
ReplyDeleteLove how you do that...
Happy Thursday!
Jemma
Cuteness plus?? I love that saying!! Thanks you Jemma...and no patterns for me. I'm better without.
DeleteKim that was a very creative way to make a banner. So professional looking yet whimsical at the same time. Love that you put the harts to the side.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary! I love the banners, so I guess the ideas come easily... ;)
DeleteI love it! I always see pretty fabric, but never know what to do with it because I can't sew. This gives me some good ideas. The next time I see cute fabric, I just might get it. :) Oh, and I'm a staple girl too. And scotch tape. And hot glue. Whatever works, right? ;)
ReplyDeleteExactly Lisa…whatever works! In some of my publication bios, I have a line that says, “just don’t look too close!” when referring to my sewing skills. ;)
DeleteStaples! I would never have thought of using them, but you are right, they hold great, and if they our banner is darling, just the perfect touch for Valentine's Day! I've been looking around my home trying to see if there is a place I could hang a banner, and so far I have not found one. I'll keep thinking about it, or maybe dreaming, like you! I do agree that inspiration comes to us in such unexpected moments! :)
ReplyDeleteInspiration does come at unexpected moments, keep looking! I bet a chicken one would look super cute in your home or shed! You know how I love your girls! ;)
DeleteI think this is too cute! I would have had to go with the glue since I don't have a machine...Cheating all the way...LOL I just love the red. Love and hugs!
ReplyDeleteGlue works just as well, Benita and like I said, staples are girl’s best friend, too!! ;)
DeleteVery pretty! I am trying to come up with a banner idea for a baby's room (for a gift) and so far no ideas. You are talented and a great inspiration.
ReplyDeleteOh, a baby's room banner?? That sounds like a lot of fun!! You're so creative, I know you'll come up with something super sweet, but if you need an ear to bounce an idea off of, just let me know! :)
DeleteLove the banner and thank you for visiting with me . Made my day . Hugs and blessings , Cindy
ReplyDeleteThanks Cindy! It was a pleasure to visit. I don’t always get the time to comment, but I do enjoy reading your blog! :)
DeleteHi Kim, oooh I love that pretty garland you made. You are so talented with sewing. The garland looks so nice in your kitchen! It's perfect for these dreary months of winter.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice weekend.
Julie
Thanks Julie…I really do enjoy sewing. Now if I could just learn how to crochet! ;)
DeleteThanks Teri! So many kind words, I am smiling ear to ear! :)
ReplyDeleteI just want to tell you how much I LOVE your site! Your ideas are so cute and every time I see your name in my e-mail, I have to go right to you! I am so going to try your banner ideas and your wreaths...thank you very much for all of your creativeness that I don't have!!! Happy Spring!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy spring!! What an absolutely lovely comment...you just totally made my day! I love sharing my crafts and the hope is always that someone will be inspired by my photos and words and empowered to give crafting a try. Thank you for letting me know that you are!! Have a wonderful weekend!! :)
ReplyDeleteSuper cute garland Kim!!! Love that this all came to you in a dream and that you used stables!! Brilliant idea!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing your sweet garland with us over at Waste Not Wednesday!
Love the color....so very pretty and you make it look oh so very easy. Thanks for sharing with us at the Waste Not Wednesday link party. Hope you keep coming back to play along.
ReplyDelete