Chalkboard fabric makes a cute bunting that you can say anything on. (Becky Hensley, special to The Denver Post)
Have you ever heard of chalkboard fabric, a.k.a. blackboard fabric? It’s vinyl that can be used for all kinds of great projects: personalized tablecloths, aprons, etc. You can get it at many craft stores such as Joann’s and Michaels or even Amazon.com.
I purchased a couple yards of chalkboard fabric for myself and decided to try a cute little customized bunting. You can make your own bunting in six easy steps.
Materials
1-2 yards of chalkboard fabric
Chalk
1-2 yards of felt
Hot glue gun
Scissors
Sewing machine
Thread
Ribbon/Lace
The steps
1. When working with chalkboard fabric, you must cure it first. This part’s fun: you simply run a piece of chalk lengthwise all over the chalkboard fabric and then rub the chalk off. This preps the chalkboard fabric and creates a surface that will allow you to write on the fabric over and over again.
2. You need to put a backing on the chalkboard fabric. I used some leftover felt. You want to make sure that it’s a material that’s got some body to it, that will help to stabilize the chalkboard fabric. Match the chalkboard fabric to your backing by putting the backing fabric on the back of the chalkboard fabric. Quickly run several lines of hot glue between the two layers. Make sure to apply enough glue to secure the backing.
3. Create a triangle template. I drew up a perfect triangle that measured 6 by 6 by 5 inches.
Use the template to trace the triangle on the chalkboard fabric to make as many flags as you’d like on your bunting. I traced enough to spell ‘Happy Birthday’ for the Share Denver space.
After glueing the chalkboard fabric to its backing, trace triangles (or any other shape you need). (Becky Hensley, special to The Denver Post)
4. After you’ve traced them, cut the flags out. Remember, it will be a little thick with both the chalkboard fabric and the felt. Use good, sturdy scissors.
Cut the chalkboard fabric shapes out, using sturdy, strong scissors (Becky Hensley, special to The Denver Post)
5. Sew the edges of the bunting flag. Run a quick stitch around the edges with a sewing machine. This will solidly anchor the felt backing to the chalkboard fabric. Make sure to trim off any extra fabric and loose thread.
Get your glue on: Glue the chalkboard fabric shapes to a strip of lace or ribbon. (Becky Hensley, special to The Denver Post)
6. Use the hot glue gun to secure a length of ribbon or lace to the tops of your flags. Space the flags evenly, about an inch to an inch-and-a-half apart.
Now you can write your message and hang the bunting to celebrate or decorate your space.
Becky Hensley is the Ninja-in-Chief of Denver Craft Ninjas, where she blogs, crafts, and generally brings awesomeness to life.
