ITH Banner Tutorial
ITH Banner Tutorial
(Using foam)
This tutorial will walk you through how I like to make my banner/garland pieces with foam. Using foam really helps stabilize the pieces and makes for a more professional result. This tutorial provides instructions for in-the-hoop banner designs purchased from Hug A Bug Applique.
Start by hooping your stabilizer. I like to use a medium-weight tear away stabilizer.
The first step will be the placement stitches for the foam.
The second step will be the tack down stitches for the foam.
After this step, you’ll want to trim around your foam.
The next steps will be placement and tack down stitches for the applique fabric pieces. (If the banner piece you’re making only has one applique piece, this step will be the TACK DOWN for your one fabric piece. There is not a separate placement stitch for this.) You’ll want to trim after each tack down, just like you would for any applique. After all applique pieces have been added and the design details have stitched, you’ll want to add any personalization. Make sure you stitch your personalization steps BEFORE stitching the back fabric piece step.
After the details stitch (and your added personalization), the next step will be tack down stitches for the BACKING FABRIC. I tape my backing fabric and run this step. Make sure your tape is clear of your stitching area.
The holes will also stitch during this step (not shown). You’ll trim your backing fabric. To cut the button holes I use a seam ripper and carefully slice through the top fabric, foam and bottom fabric. It doesn’t have to be perfect, just make sure you don’t rip through your stitches. If the holes are circles, carefully trim through each layer with your scissors (not shown).
The last steps will be the satin finishing stitches for the entire design and holes.
Once the design is complete, you can remove it from the hoop. If you used a tear away, the piece should easily tear away from the stabilizer.
Once I’ve removed all the stabilizer, I like to singe the edges of the entire piece just to clean it up a bit. Go slow and be careful not to burn your banner pieces. I am not responsible for any mishaps with the lighter. Just sayin’.
Once you’ve cleaned up each banner piece, you can string your pieces together with string, rope, ribbon, etc. Your banner is ready to hang!