CONGRATS! Bunting Banner

Congrats, Kindergarten Class of 2011!!

"Uh...Ms. Watts? What does 'Congrats' even mean?!" 

When I was planning to make this banner, I was really freaking out about if it would be big enough to hang on the curtain on the huge stage in our school's auditorium. 

One of the teachers on our kindergarten team casually said to me back in March when we started planning for kindergarten graduation, "Hey crafty lady, wanna make us a banner or something for graduation?" expecting a simple paper bunting. Of course, I was ecstatic about sewing something awesome and had a million ideas going through my head. 

Yeah, that was in March. Did I make it then? Of course not. I made that monstrosity of a banner the day before graduation. Those who know me are not surprised I waited until the last minute. 

Needless to say, my teaching friend was surprised when I brought this in. And, thank goodness, it was plenty big enough! And now we can use it every year! I really wanted to add a white ruffle strip to the white band across the top, but I ran out of time. Imagine that.

I did not do a tutorial on this because there are a million bunting banner tutorials out there. All I did was use one of those (this one) and up the size a ton. It was actually an easy process- just time-consuming. 

I cut out the letters out of paper first to create pattern for each letter.(Fun fact about me: I cant draw letters for anything, but I can free-cut them out like a champ.) I made a pattern for the flag out of some laminated reading center cards I never used (because I forgot to get poster board). Then I traced and cut for forever. 

 I attached the letters to the front side of the flags with wonder under and then top-stitched around them. The letters, the white band holding the flags together and the bows are all made out of felt, and the flags are made out of broadcloth. Last, I pinned and sewed forever.

 I'm not sure of the exact measurement, but I think it stretches to about 16 ft long or so...

So yay for my kindergarten babies. Yay for your kindergarten babies-if you have them. 

And most of all, yay for school being out for the summer!!

At least for a couple weeks until summer school starts...

Linking to these parties.