One day while going through my favorite store, World Market, I came upon these hanging letters reading out 'EXPLORE'. Immediately wanting them, I saw the price; $80! There was no way I was spending that. I then decided to make them. Turned out to be a pretty simple project.
Supplies:
Mod Podge is some amazing stuff!! You can find at Michaels. The only adhesive I used for the whole project, plus it's handing to have around. There are many different formulas but going with the original matte will work fine.
Cardboard letters from Joann. The smaller ones (pictured above) are $2.99, the bigger ones (the ones I used) are $4.49. I used coupons!
I chose a linen for the sides, Joann again. Since I was using the larger letters I got two yards for the length. There will be some left over but you need more for the length.
You can go to Walmart and get a pack for $7.00 of the world and U.S. map. I got all my letters to fit on the one world map.
Directions:
1. Place your letters out on your map to where you like (careful: if you do not want your map to be upside down, watch your placement.) Then trace with a pencil. Then cut out, give about a 1/4 inch bigger than the shape traced.
2. Mod Podge over letter. Line up pencil markings on the edge of the letter. Letting the sides hang over.
3. After all the letters are covered, go back and Mod Podge the edges, folding over to the side of the letters. Cut a slit in the corners and notches in the rounded sections so it folds over easier.
4. The letters were 1 1/2 inches wide. I cut 2 1/4 inch strips long ways. Then press 1/4 inch down, this will be your front edge.
5. Starting on a place on the bottom of a letter, begin adding Mod Podge. Place fabric down (it will hang over the back edge). Work around entire letter letting a little over lap where you began. Doing the inner holes of the 'O' 'R' & 'P' are tricky but just be patient, it's not too bad.
6. Once all letters are wrapped with the linen, then begin cutting slits and notches and Mod Podging down to the back just like the map.
7. Let dry for about 15 minutes. Then you are ready for hanging!
8. I used these velcro like strips for hanging pictures. One on top and one on the bottom.
This was a fun and simple project, I would love to see what you come up with. Please send me a picture of your creation. Feel free to ask me on anything! Good luck!
That looks great! How much did you end up spending?
ReplyDeleteI want to say somewhere around $30-$40. The key is to use coupons at Michael's and Joann Fabrics. It also depends on how much of the supplies you already have. The most expensive part of the project is the letters. Maybe you already have ModPodge and an old map laying around.
DeleteWe had a home project in which we printed artwork (paintings) onto canvases. The similarity with your project is that the canvases had 'sides' that we wanted to cover, much in the way that you covered the sides of your letters with linen strips. In our project, we used black fabric gaffer's tape - probably got it at the hardware store. It was the same width as the edges of the canvases so we didn't have to fold over anything, but it is flexible & sticky on one side so it would be easy to fold over. It has lasted for years, was inexpensive, and makes the paintings look as if they are floating slightly. I wanted to share this technique for others who might try your clever project.
ReplyDeleteThat's a really great tip, thank you for sharing, I'll be sure to try that. (:
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