Open up your map and cut out a smaller manageable size.
Step #2
Cut the map into triangles. My triangles are about 3 1/2 inches long, and I cut out 12 of them. This was large enough to go across my window. You can make them larger or smaller based on where you will be using the bunting.
Step #3
Use the hole puncher to punch 2 holes in each of the triangles.
Step #4
Thread the ribbon through the holes in the triangles.
2. Use the pattern to cut out 2 small flowers and 2 large flowers.
3. Use a pencil to curl up the petals of the 2 small flowers and 1 of the large flowers
4. Stagger the flowers on a pile, so that the petals are between the other petals.
5. Poke 2 holes in the maps in the middle.
6. Bend the floral wire in half.
7. Place a button face up on the floral wire.
8. Place the map pieces on the floral wire.
9. Place the other button under the map flowers.
10. Twist the floral wire. I hold the wire with my pliers and twist by turning the flower.
Make a whole bunch to make a fun bouquet. These would be great at a destination wedding, travel themed party or going away party. Or they make a great decoration for any who loves maps or travel.
I knew right from the beginning of planning my wedding reception that I would not be using paper napkins. Yes, we are having a relatively laid back outdoor wedding. But, I would never want to waste that much paper.
I also knew that I would be making them. I didn't want to rent them because I knew I could make them for the same price as renting them, plus I could make them any size, color, pattern, etc. that I wanted.
Not to mention the added extra benefit of having a crap load of cloth napkins for myself after the wedding. No more paper napkins for us - ever!
To a lot of my non-DIY pals, this seems pretty crazy. But I'm sure that a lot of my DIY and planet-loving pals out there understand.
I have made these cloth napkins before. They are fine for around the house, but not quite right for my wedding reception.
I ended up using the Shiny Happy World free tutorial to make my napkins. The only change I made was I made mine 16 x 16. 12 was too small and I tried 18, which was too big. 16 inches seems just about perfect. Follow her directions (and don't skip all the ironing, it makes it them so much easier!) and you, too can have gorgeous cloth napkins!
So far my progress hasn't been too great (as you can see by the small pile of napkins!) But this weekend I'm taking my sewing machine to my mom's and we're going to have dualing sewing machines and knock them out!
These make great gifts because unlike regular flowers, these flowers never die! Use old worn out clothing for fabric and your helping the planet twice (once for not cutting flowers and again by reusing fabric.)
Print out and cut the flower pattern. Alternatively, you could draw your own. The flowers are 2 sizes, one is smaller than the other.
Step #2
Pin the pattern to the fabric and cut out the fabric. You'll cut 3 of each size. You can use 2 different colors like I did here, or you can use just one color.
Next we're going to put all the pieces in a pile in order.
Step #3
Put a large flower right side down first.
Step #4
Fold the other 2 large flowers in half - right side out - and place them next to each other as shown in the photo.
Step #5
Place the smaller 2 flowers on top of the larger in a similar manner, but place them the other direction.
Step #6
Place the final smaller flower on top, right side up and unfolded.
Step #7
Fold the floral wire in half.
Step #8
Place a button on the floral wire.
Step #9
Before we start placing the fabric on the floral wire, we need to place small cuts in the fabric. I cut each as I need them. Take the top flower and fold it in half, and fold it in half again. Make a tiny cut in the fabric. (It will make 2 cuts.)
Step #10
Take the top flower off the pile, cut slits in it (as described in step #9) and slide it onto the floral wire, right side facing the button.
Step #11
Place the first of the folded flowers onto one prong of the floral wire.
Step #12
Add the next flower on the other prong of the floral wire.
Step #13
Add the next folded flower, going the opposite direction as the first 2. This time, you'll place both prongs of the floral wire through the hole.
Step #14
Place other folded flower onto the floral wire just like in the previous step.
Step #15
Add the final flower, wrong side toward the other flowers.
Step #16
Add the second button.
Step #17
With your pliers, twist the floral wire. I like to make sure the first twist is tight to the button.
Step #18
Then twist the entire floral wire. I usually hold the pliers on the wire and twist the flower. Then as it is twisted, move the pliers down the wire.
Step #19
Enjoy your never-dying flower!
Want more ways to reuse clothing and make awesome stuff?!? I'm releasing a new tutorial next week! To get on the list to be the first to know when it's available, sign up for my new tutorial newsletter (Emerging Creatively)
