birthday bunting banner tutorial

Per request, this is how I made my birthday bunting banner. I made this tutorial after the project was complete, so you'll have to use your imagination a little bit, but it's not too complicated! I really love having something so cute I can pull out for family birthdays for the rest of my life.  And I made the back side blank so it can be used for all sorts of celebrations and parties!

 Supplies:
1 pkg double fold bias tape
16 material scraps at least 6" by 7"(twice that for a double sided banner)
some additional scraps for the cupcakes
2 pkgs of iron on letters (I bought mine at michael's and started with one, but I would have had to write "feliz birthday" so I went back for a second package.) :)

First, get a piece of paper and fold it in half. Make a mark 3" from the top (Mine was actually more like 2.6" since I was just making this up, do what looks best to you). Make a mark 7" from the top. Connect the dots.

Then cut along the line and you now have your pattern.

You could make it really simple and just cut out 16 triangles of fabric. I wanted a double sided banner that has "happy birthday" on one side and blank on the other for all occasions. If you want double sided cut out 2 of every fabric (32 triangles)

Next I drew a little cupcake and cut it into 4 pieces, then I traced it on some scrap fabric and cut out 3 sets of cupcakes. If you don't want cupcakes on your banner you could skip this part, but it's not that hard and really adds something (In my opinion). :)

You could draw out a simple pattern yourself or try to print out this picture the right size, I'm better at sewing than technology, so I'll let you figure that out. 

 

 

 

 

Take one triangle of fabric from the first, last, and 7th place in your row (every triangle that won't have a letter) Sew on the pieces on at a time starting with the bottom and working up to the little flame.

Next, if you're going the double-sided route, line up each set of triangles right sides together and sew along both sides using no more than 1/4" seam allowance. (don't sew along the top) Turn right side out and use a pencil, scissors, or pointy object to get the tips out (you may want to trim off some excess fabric at the bottom)  *If your banner is one sided you could just leave the edges raw and be done with it (you know, "shabby chic" AKA, less work) ;)

After turning right side out you'll need to iron each triangle flat, I found it easier to iron the side seam flat first, then go over the whole triangle.

Once your triangles are all ready place them just barely in between the two sides of bias tape, pin them in place with how ever much space you'd like between them (I spaced them about 1 1/2" apart). Sew along the bottom. Arrange iron-on letters onto the triangles and iron according to directions.

Now you have a bunting banner that you can use for the rest of your life, for every celebration you can think of! Especially birthdays. :)