I made a few pennant banners today out of old vintage napkins. I think they are pretty fun and I am excited to use them for some upcoming summer parties and barbeques. I am hoping to get a good picture of all of them together at some point over the next week. Our weather was all over the place today and there were only a few moments, where the sun was shining and the baby was napping, to get any decent pictures.
At first, I didn't know how I was going to turn the napkins into pennants because they were too wide to just sew as triangles. They wouldn't hang right. So after lots of trial and error, this is what I came up with and I put together a little tutorial. It is pretty simple and could be taken in so many different directions with all of the fun colors and styles of vintage napkins and hankies to choose from. I will have to raid the yard sales this summer and find some other fun ones to use!
First, gather up the napkins you wish to use for your banner. The ones you will need for this tutorial need to be square.
Take each of your napkins and cut them in half diagonally. It is easier to cut them {especially these flopsy linen ones} if you iron them {to create the cut line} first.
{Ignore these other fold lines. I took these pictures after I had already pressed the finished product}
Once you have your napkins cut in half diagonally, fold one corner on the long straight side about two thirds of the way toward the other corner of the long side.
Repeat from the other corner as well and press into place.
Repeat until you have folded and pressed all of your pennants.
Unroll a package of "extra wide double folded" bias tape and find the middle. It is easier to evenly space the entire banner if you start from the middle and work your way out. I spaced my flags 1 1/2 inches apart, but you just have to see what looks the best with the size of the pennants you end up with. Pin them into the fold of the bias tape.
Then, zigzag stitch all the way from one end of your bias tape to the other end.
And you are finished! Wasn't that easy? This could be so fun with many different vintage hankies, doilies, napkins, etc.
I like how sweet and feminine they are. I am planning on hanging a couple of them in Ella's room.
For now, I hung one of my banners on the cabinet in our kitchen. I kind of like the subtle beautiful creamy white on white. There is something so light and airy and, well, summery about it.
In the next couple weeks, I am hoping to refinish a couple furniture pieces around my home and post some pictures. I also have a few more ideas up my sleeve for projects I would like to tackle.
Thanks for reading! I hope you have a great weekend!
I am linking up with the fun parties here at french country cottage, here At The Picket Fence, here at Redoux, here at Common Ground, and here at The Charm of Home 🙂
I am also linking up to the fun Newbie Party over at Debbie Doos
Thank you to all of you for hosting these fun parties!
I am also linking up here:
and here:
Jorgelina
Great idea !
Cute banner.
freckled laundry
That is a great idea for a banner! So pretty and probably the best idea for pennants that I've seen. Featuring this tonight! xo Jami
Jill Elaine
That is really a fun idea. I have made pennant banners but they are just the normal triangles on a string! This one is a notch above 🙂
Brandy
Very sweet. I happen to love banners and yours are adorable. they have lots of charm. I'm happy to now be following you.
Terri
Great idea, thanks for the inspiration, will have to try it.
Sherry
Very cute! Thank you for joining me at Home Sweet Home!
Sherry
miss flibbertigibbet
Congratulations on being featured! I love the banner! I am a recent graduate of Debbiedoo's and wish you the best of luck! Based on your creations I think you'll have LOTS of followers!
Blessings, lorraine
Kim @ Savvy Southern Style
Such a cute banner. Love the vintage charm.
Stephanie
Very pretty. Thanks for showing us how to do it.
Kristin @ Simply Klassic Home
This is just so pretty, Kristen. Clever idea and I love the cottage-y vintage-y vibe. You have a sweet blog and I'm off to check out the rest!!
Mallori
LOVE this banner! Great idea.
Cindy
Looks lovely!
Laura @ cookiecrumbsandsawdust.blogspot
Kristen,
This banner is darling. I love that you found a new use for this sweet napkins. And it looks great against your hutch.
I'm visiting from the Newbie linky party. I would love it if you stop by my blog.
Thanks for sharing,
Laura
Debbiedoo's
How very pretty. I LOVE this banner. Thanks so much for sharing it with the newbie party. Enjoy.
Heaven's Walk
Kristen - this is such a pretty idea! Great idea for upcycling! I love all of the white goodness! I recently made some buntings from vintage hankies and love the sweetness of them! 🙂
xoxo laurie
Jennifer Taylor
You are so stinkin creative Kristen!! Love this idea!! And you take awesome photography too!! Great staging! Love you!
Jane
Such a lovely idea! I love it. Thank you