Since our church does not allow us to "throw" anything after the ceremony, particularly things that would need to be cleaned up, I took some inspiration from Darling Dexter and decided to make fabric-farewell-flags.
It's a fairly easy process, yet my mom's extra set of hands really helped with the assembly line. I measured strips, cut them into 6x5 inch rectangles (to allow for trimming the edges and gluing to the dowel), while my mom cut 3 out of 4 sides with pinking shears.
Here is what you will need (to make 100 flags...with quite a bit of extra fabric):
- Few yards of various fabric- I purchased a 1/2 yard of 4 different fabrics @ $6.99 a yard
- scissors (I used a rotary cutter and pinking sheers to give it a zig-zag finished edge)
- ruler (I got a sweet discount on a cutting mat/rotary cutter/rule combo that day--which made cutting the strips a lot easier)
- package of dowels (4 packs of 25 at $1.99 a pack)
- hot glue (had in my craft stash)
My squares were 6x5 so I cut a large strip, then into smaller rectangles
My mom used pinking shears to give it a finished edge (which also helped them not to fray). She began by cutting all 4 sides but wised up as we realized one edge would hide when we glue them
A close up of the finished flag
Applying glue to the unfinished edge.
* Originally, I wanted to sew the edges and have the "right sides out" showing.
TOO MUCH WORK.
TOO MUCH WORK.
Here is why I chose hot glue:
1. time efficient
2. Just as sturdy
3. I doubt my guests will marvel over these. Even though I will be sad, I am sure many of these will be thrown away. No one pays attention to detail like a bride-to-be at a wedding. Thus, glued, unfinished sides. Pick your battles :)
Apply glue to the fabric. I tried applying the glue to the dowel and rolling it and I found that putting glue on the fabric allowed me to roll the dowel easier. I rolled until the edge of the fabric was hidden. You will get the hang of it.
One down, 99 to go!
100 -25 of each fabric- farewell flags!
Price Breakdown
(plus extra fabric I used for other projects)
When you wave the flags you can't even tell there is a "backside" to the fabric.
Adios-Ciao-Au Revoir!
2. Just as sturdy
3. I doubt my guests will marvel over these. Even though I will be sad, I am sure many of these will be thrown away. No one pays attention to detail like a bride-to-be at a wedding. Thus, glued, unfinished sides. Pick your battles :)
Apply glue to the fabric. I tried applying the glue to the dowel and rolling it and I found that putting glue on the fabric allowed me to roll the dowel easier. I rolled until the edge of the fabric was hidden. You will get the hang of it.
One down, 99 to go!
100 -25 of each fabric- farewell flags!
Price Breakdown
- fabric= $13.98
- dowels=$7.96
- glue= already had
(plus extra fabric I used for other projects)
When you wave the flags you can't even tell there is a "backside" to the fabric.
Adios-Ciao-Au Revoir!
