In This Issue:

• Sewing from Marguerite - Straight Grain Lines
• Easter Banners
• Religious Symbols Part I - The Use of Color
• Banner Ministries on the Web

Sewing Tips from Marguerite - Straight Grain lines

Have you ever noticed that nice big line with an arrow on each end on a clothing pattern? Well, folks it has a major purpose. This line shows you where the lengthwise grain of the fabric should be so that the garment you are constructing will hang correctly. This also has to be considered when making a banner. The correct grain line will make the banner hang straight without sagging and curling.

A perfect grain line on a piece of fabric is the threads that are parallel to the selvage. Therefore, each pattern piece must be parallel to the selvage. On a garment you simply lay out the pattern, put a pin in one end of the grain line arrow and measure from this point to the selvage. Next measure from the same selvage to the other end of the grain line arrow, pivoting the pattern to the same measurement as the first arrow. Pin this point. Now the grain line is perfectly parallel to the selvage and the pattern is correctly placed for proper hanging of the garment.

Banners are made from measurements rather than patterns; therefore we take a slightly different approach.

1. Mark the length of the banner on the selvage with chalk.
2. Mark the width of the banner by measuring from the selvage and chalk mark this point.
3. Repeat this process several times down the length of the banner.
4. Using a large ruler connect these points and the lengthwise grain will be correct.

The crosswise grain of the fabric for the banner can be easily found by laying the selvage edge of the fabric on the table edge then using a "T" square draw straight across the fabric to the lengthwise line. This should be done for both ends of the banner. Viola! No crooked banners.

For information on sewing classes in the Nashville area, contact Marguerite's Sewing School atSew Cool or (615) 269-0453.

Easter Banners

Are you racking your brain trying to come up with an idea for your Easter Banner? I highly recommend the book "Banners for Worship" by Carol Jean Harms (published by Concordia Publishing House). This book is great for beginners as well as experienced banner makers. You get plenty of technical advice plus alphabet patterns and 100 banner designs.

You may purchase this book from PraiseBanners at www.praisebanners.com or any Christian bookstore.

Religious Symbols - Part I The Use of Color

The Use of Color

Deciding what color to use on your banners can be a very difficult decision. While there are no rules written in stone there are several things to take into consideration. Some ministries use color based upon symbolic meaning and use it others for aesthetic reasons.

View a list of colors and meanings at our color chart.

To gain the most pleasing visual effect, it is best not to use too many colors. If you go wild you may end up with something that is busy and drowns out the message you want to convey. Carol Jean Harms recommends in her book "Banners for Worship" to use no more than three colors. When deciding upon color, you will want to consider contrast, hue and intensity of colors as well. If it all sounds too complicated, just experiment with swatches of fabric until you find the right combination.

Banners on the Web

I found this one while surfing around. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Liverpool, Pennsylvania has a wonderful display of banners they use throughout the year. My favorite banner is "The Lost Sheep". This is an excellent example of how banners can be used to emphasize a sermon or point in a lesson. Visit them at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

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