After seeing this idea on a wedding planning website, I was inspired to create my own, but with my own twist- using scraps from t-shirts that had become scarves in my clothing line. Thanks paper n stitch.com! After all, I have decided that my line should become more eco-friendly and waste less, so what better way to put smaller scraps to use. This can be easily done with any kind of scraps of fabric, in any kind of shape.
Using a ribbon (vintage, I might add, from my grandmother's overflowing ribbon collection), I simply machine-stitched the edge over the ribbon loosely so that I can move the banners where I wish to once they are hanging. I did decide to sew the edges of each banner that ended up on the furthest of both ends so that the banners could not slip off accidentally.
Here is my result!
I also have made another banner out of handmade, screen-printed cloth patches that were created by the Art Patch Project of Chicago. Look it up if you are an artist in Chicago. The project's focus is to change current legislation concerning peddlers who want to sell their own art on the street. Currently, you must have a peddler's license to do so, preventing anyone from simply setting up shop on the street, which is unfortunate for those who do not have the money to spend on this license and who simply want to have the right to free speech on the streets.
Here are members of the project on the streets handing out art patches to the public for free, to raise awareness of the issue. Such brave souls, standing out in the cold. The pictures may not show it, but it is freezing out there!
I spent a Sunday afternoon working with the leader of this organization, C. Drew, screen-printing small pieces of cloth with artwork that was created by a local artist for the project. What a great way to spend the afternoon! Screen-printing is actually quite simple and requires only a silk-screen and some screen-printing ink, and a rubber squeegee. I hope to make it back to the Art Patch Project to turn some of my photography into a silk-screen so that I might add to the project.
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As for other new business, I have been selling a lot of my handmade t-shirt scarves to people across the U.S. for the holiday season! I'm very excited to know that my customers have been happy with my designs thus far. One of my customers from my home town mentioned that she wears hers everyday! This month, I will feature a tutorial on how to make your own recycled t-shirt scarf, chunky style!
Off to make more banners!
-Check out ragsbysockmonkey.etsy.com to purchase any of my items!-
