In This Issue:

• Recovering from Disasters
• Rounded Banner Hems
• MiracleBond^TM Technique
• Working with Fabric
• Keeping Letters Straight

Mistakes and mishaps happen to most everyone. Here are some things that might help to save your banner.

1. Use a fabric paint that matches your banner to cover stains or mishaps.
2. Use a small piece of fabric to patch flaws or imperfections.
3. Light chalk stains can be rubbed out by using a piece of fabric that is of a different texture. (I use lamb's wool on bengaline)
4. If it is a banner that will be displayed against a wall and the mistake is really bad, turn the banner around. I did this with some swags that I did last year.
5. Check with your dry cleaner to see if he can do a spot treatment. We do not recommend that the entire banner be dry cleaned.
6. Be creative and put a design over the spot like a star or whatever will go with your theme.
7. Use a swag that will draw attention away from the flaw. My favorite fabric for swags is liquid lamé. The way this fabric shimmers and catches the light is stunning.

Have you rescued a banner from disaster? Write and tell us about it. We would like to share these in upcoming newsletters.

You need to mark the center of your banner at the very top. To find the center you may measure or fold the banner in half (lengthwise) and mark the center at the top with a pin. Use a long string and a marking pencil. The string should be long enough to allow for you to reach the desired marking point (this should be the length of the banner plus any hem and seam allowance). Have someone hold the end of the string at the center point at the top of the banner. With the string stretched to its longest point, mark your banner by going from side to side. If this is hard to visualize, think of a compass (like the ones you used in school). The little point stays in the same place while your pencil marks the curve.

When working with large amounts of MiracleBond™ it is best to place the MiracleBond™ and then iron from the center out. This eliminates bubbles and wrinkles. (Remember to test your iron on a scrap before you start)

When working with large amounts of fabric the weight of the fabric can pull when you are sewing and make your seams less than even. If you do not have a large table to work on, support that extra fabric weight with a card table or chair. This leaves you free to concentrate on your seams without having to fight with the fabric.

In response to the last newsletters tip on using tape to keep lines straight (see Issue Two helpful hints) one of our readers sent in the following advice. She suggested using tape that is especially for fabric. This can be found at fabric stores that carry quilting supplies.