How to Make Carp Streamers
Carp streamers, known as koinobori in Japan, are traditionally flown on May 5 which is Children's Day. One streamer is flown for each male child in the house. The carp symbolizes perseverance and success in life. Vividly-colored carp streamers are relatively easy to make, and their graceful forms flapping in the breeze will help bring luck to the boys in your life.
Things You'll Need
- 2-feet by 1-foot piece of fabric
- Fabric paint
- Sewing machine and thread
- Craft wire
- Wire cutters
- Twine
Instructions
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1
Fold down a 1-inch seam on the short side of the fabric. Sew closed along the edge, leaving a tube to later insert your wire.
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2
Fold the fabric in half, right side together, lengthwise. On the open end that does not have your fabric tube, cut a 6-inch V through both layers of fabric. This will be the tail. Hem the tail with a 1/2-inch seam.
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3
Fold the fabric in half again. Sew along the side with a 1/2-inch seam, being careful not to sew the fabric tube at the top closed.
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4
Trim any loose threads. Use fabric paint in various colors to add fish scales and a face to your carp. Add in other designs you would like now.
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5
Slide a the wire into the opening in one side of the fabric tube and out the other. Twist the ends of the wire together to secure. Bend the wire to make a circular opening at the end of the streamer.
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6
Tie one end of a 1 foot length of twine around the exposed area of the wire. Thread the other end of the twine through a large needle and pass it through the fabric and around the wire on the opposite side of the mouth opening. Tie it securely. You can use the twine to hang the carp from a hook or flag pole.
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Tips & Warnings
You can also applique the scales onto the carp. Have children make their own carp streamers with construction paper.
Rain can ruin your streamer unless you use outdoor-treated fabric.
Resources
- Photo Credit Midori
