Tute-Happy Summer: Patriotic Pennants

We're continuing our Tute-Happy Summer series today with a tutorial for an easy string of patriotic pennants so that you'll be ready to decorate the backyard or front fence for the 4th of July! We've chosen red and blue tonals from the Tone on Tone collection to show off our red, white and blue spirit. Enjoy the tutorial and then find the details at the bottom of this post for a chance to win a bundle of Tone on Tone prints to play with!

Materials:

1/4 yard of red tonal #1

1/2 yard of red tonal #2

1/4 yard of blue tonal #1

1/2 yard of blue tonal #2

1/3 yard of white solid

22" x 27" piece of lightweight interfacing

5" x 15" piece of fusible web

1 package of white extra wide double-fold binding tape

Here are the two blue and two red tonals from the Tone on Tone collection--nice and patriotic! We used red #2 for the backing on the striped pennants and blue #2 for the backing on the blue pennants.

Cutting:

From red tonal #1:

Two 2-1/4" x 42" strips

From red tonal #2:

One 2-1/4" x 42" strips

Three pennant shapes (see instructions for cutting the template below)

From blue tonal #1:

Two pennant shapes

From blue tonal #2:

Four pennant shapes

From the white solid:

Two 2-1/4" x 42" strips

From the interfacing:

Three pennant shapes

Step 1: To make the pennant template, fold an 8-1/2" x 11" piece of paper in half lengthwise and then open it back up. Measure 10" and draw a horizontal line. Draw a line from each upper corner to the point where the center fold meets the horizontal line. Repeat from opposite upper corner. Cut out on the diagonal lines.

Step 2: Draw a line down the center of the pennant and then draw lines 7/8" on either side of the center line. These will be reference lines for matching the template to pieced red and white stripes.

Step 3: Click here to download the star template. Trace three star shapes onto the paper side of fusible web. Cut out loosely around the shape, press to wrong side of white fabric, and cut out on drawn line. 

Step 4: Measure 1" down from the top edge of a blue pennant to position the top point of the star, center it from left to right, and fuse in place. Make three star pennants--two on blue print #1 and one on blue print #2.

Step 5: Pair a blue pennant back right sides together with a star pennant. Layer the interfacing on top and pin all layers together. Tip: Cut off the tip of the interfacing--it will make it easier to achieve a nice point on the pennant after turning right side out.

Step 6: Stitch along the two diagonal edges of the pennant, leaving the top edge open. Backstitch at the beginning and end. Turn right side out and press. Repeat for all three blue star pennants. 

Step 7: Stitch 2-1/4" x 42" white strips lengthwise on opposite sides of the 2-1/4" x 42" red tonal #2 strip. Stitch 2-1/4" x 42" red tonal #1 strips to the white strips. Press the strip set well. 

Step 8: Square off one short end of the strip set and position the pennant template on top. Use the pencil lines on the template to center it on the strip set. With a rotary cutter and ruler, cut out a pennant shape. Repeat to cut a total of three pennant shapes.

Step 9: In the same manner as Step 5, pair a striped pennant right sides together with a red pennant back. This time layer the interfacing on the bottom so you can see the stripes as you stitch to make sure everything stays straight. Stitch the pennant, backstitching at top and bottom, turn right side out, and press. Make three.

Finished pennants:

Step 10: Square off the top of each pennant, removing any seam allowance that sticks out.
Step 11: Find the center point of the white bias tape and mark with a pin. Open the bias tape along the center fold and insert a striped pennant so the corner is 1" from the center mark. Close the bias tape with the pennant raw edges sandwiched inside and pin. Add a blue star pennant in the same manner 1" out from the opposite side of the center mark. Continue adding alternating pennant designs working out from the center, spacing the points 2" apart. 

Step 12: Beginning at the one end of the bias tape (not just where the pennants begin) stitch along the entire length, securing each pennant as you sew. 

You're done! Hang and enjoy!

For a chance to win a bundle of Tone on Tone prints, leave us a comment letting us know that you follow us on the blog or on Facebook. We'd also love to know what your favorite 4th of July tradition is. Giveaway is open through Sunday, June 28th at 11:59 pm EST.
This giveaway is now closed, but be sure to check out our other tutorials, as we'll be sharing a tutorial and hosting a giveaway each week!

Check out each week of our Summer of Tutes!
Week 1: Sunglasses case  featuring Graphix 3
Week 2: The overnight bag featuring Who's Who

Week 3: Tablet case featuring Jungle Party 
Week 5: Melon mini featuring Gemstones, Jewels and Quartz
Week 6: Lunch bag featuring Graphix 3

Week 7: Placemats featuring Marblehead Pleasing Pastels

Week 8: Table topper featuring Marblehead Pleasing Pastels

Week 9: Elegant clutch featuring Jungle Party 
Week 10: Modern table runner featuring Prairie Cloth Solids 

Week 11: Striped table runner featuring Gemstones, Jewels and Quartz

Week 12: Nautical mini featuring Prairie Cloth Solids
Week 13: Stair Stepper Runner featuring Gemstones, Jewels and Quartz