In This Issue:

• Tips and Hints
• Painting Banner Embellishments
• Attaching Gem Stones
• Banner Books

Swags

Sometimes no matter how much you square your fabric and how straight your seams, your swags will want to lean in or out from the banner. The ideal position of the swags is to hang straight along side the banner. You can compensate for this "leaning" phenomenon by loosely basting the pole sleeve of the swag (before machine stitching). When you have completed your banner, hang the swags along side. If they are not hanging straight, loosen the thread and adjust them. After you have made your adjustments, you can sew them with a regular machine stitch. It is easier to adjust loose basting stitches than to pick out a regular machine stitch.

For those who are not familiar with the term "swags", they are the two side pieces that hang alongside the banner. The banner in the upper right is from the Name of Names collection "Star of the Morning©" from PraiseBanners®.

Interfacing

If you have chosen a fabric that is too thin or does not drape well you can reinforce it with fusible interfacing. Interfacing may be purchased at any fabric store and comes in different weights and types. If you need help, ask someone at the fabric store. Be sure to follow the directions on the package.

A great source for interfacing is Sulky of America. They have a great website. You can find out anything you need to know about interfacing there.

Painting Banner Embellishments

Making a Lamb of God for Easter? Be sure and paint the Lamb before you glue Him to the banner. This will prevent any paint accidentally being spilled or splattered on to the fabric. It is always a good idea to paint any embellishment before attaching it to the banner whenever possible.

Attaching Gem Stones

An attractive way to attach gemstones to banners is to use glitter fabric paint. Put enough paint on the surface to hold the gem and to show up around the sides. You may want to practice on a scrap and an old button first.

Names of God by Nathan Stone

This month's selection is "Names of God" by Nathan Stone . If you have looked at the Jehovah Collection in the catalog you can see the Hebrew names as well as their translation. This book goes further in explaining the reason and circumstance behind the name. This is an excellent source for inspiration as well as instruction. You can purchase this book at PraiseBanners or ask for it at your local Christian bookstore.

Banner Seminars

Since these newsletters are back issues, I have taken out references to out-of-date seminars so as not to confuse or get anyone's hopes up. If you are hosting a seminar or workshop, drop us an e-mail and we will put it in the current newsletter.