Spring is an interesting time of the year. For some strange reason, some of us feel the need to clean and to organize our sewing rooms. This is when I find supplies for projects not yet started and projects started but not yet completed (and a few completed projects that got mixed in with everything else).

I was organizing my embroidery design CDs when I saw my “All-Occasion Banners by PJ’s In The Hoop” design CD. Its time had arrived. So without hesitation, I pulled some fabric from my collection and decided to stitch out a Spring banner. Okay –  I was bored with cleaning, and any excuse would work to do something different.

The designs you want to put in your banner will determine the amount/size of the following supplies:

Fabric (may need more than one design and/or color)
Stiffener, such as Timtex
Water soluble stabilizer
Tear away stabilizer
Embroidery thread
Spray adhesive (double-sided tape)

A detailed set of instructions is included in the step-by-step tutorial that is on the CD.  The highlights of my construction steps are included here.

I decided to include a carrot, a bunny and the word SPRING in my banner. The design pack has 40 graphic designs, the numbers 0 to 9 and letters A to Z. You can create a banner for every occasion.

Each banner piece has an outline stitch, a satin stitch, and stitching for two eyelets.  Some pieces have additional adornment stitches.

Instructions (for each banner piece):
1. Hoop tear away stabilizer. Most of the designs will fit in a 4 x 4 hoop.
2. The thread color should be one that contrasts with the stabilizer for this step. Sew the outline stitch.

3. Remove the hoop from the machine and the stabilizer from the hoop. Cut out the stitched shape along the stitching line. This is your pattern for cutting your Timtex (stiffener).

4. Pin the pattern to the stiffener and trace along the outer edge of the shape.
5. Remove the pin and pattern. Cut the stiffener along the traced line.
6. Hoop water soluble stabilizer.
7. Change the bobbin and top thread to a color that will match your fabric.
8. Attach the hoop to the machine and sew the outline stitch again.
9. Remove the hoop from the machine. Apply spray adhesive to the back side of the stitched area.

10. With right-side of the back fabric facing you, center over the stitched area and stick to stabilizer.

11. Return the hoop to the machine and sew the outline stitch again.
12. Remove the hoop from the machine and spray the stitched area on the front side.
13. Stick the Timtex cutout precisely within the stitched area. (I found my stiffener would not stick to the spray adhesive, so I used double-sided tape.)
14. Spray the  adhesive on the stiffener. (I used double-sided tape again, making sure it was in an area that the needle would be stitching.
15. With right-side of the front fabric facing you, center over the stitched area and stick to the Timtex.
16. Return the hoop to the machine and sew the outline stitch again.
17. Remove the hoop from the machine and trim both the front and back fabrics closely along the outer edge of the stitching.

18. Attach your hoop to the machine and sew the remaining stitching steps, changing both bobbin and top thread as required.

19. Remove the banner piece from the hoop and trim the excess stabilizer.
20. Cut the eyelets with an eyelet cutter. If you cut any stitches, just dab some seam sealant on the eyelet thread.

21. Dissolve any remaining stabilizer with water on a small paintbrush or a sponge.

Note: If you use a larger hoop, you can stitch out more than one design in the hoop.

You are now ready to attach your banner shapes together using ribbon, string, beads or bows.