How to Make a Wall Hanger

A colorful wall hanging is effective in decorating plain white walls.

Wall hangings are an easy way to hide an ugly wall or fill up a bare space. They are easy to make, don't require the mess of paint and you can create one in an afternoon for very little expense. According to Bluebird Gardens quilters, there are no standard sizes for wall hangings so you can make one as big or as small as you like. In addition, there are numerous different uses for wall hangings--some can be for decoration only, while others might double as an extra blanket in the winter or a storage organizer.

Things You'll Need

• 1 piece of fabric measuring 2" wider and longer than desired finished size of wall hanging
• 1 piece of fabric the finished size of wall hanger
• 1 fabric strip 1" less than the width of the project by approximately 4"
• Fabric scraps in complimentary colors
• Double-sided fusible webbing
• Scissors
• Iron and ironing board
• Straight or safety pins

Instructions

1. Attach the strip of cloth along one end of the larger back fabric to act as the hanger. Iron the rough side of a narrow half-inch strip of fusible webbing to the right side of the fabric strip along each of the long edges. Fold these strips under and carefully place the prepared hanger on the right side of the large back fabric. Position it so that it is approximately 1 1/2 inches in from either side and 2 or 3 inches down from the top. Mark the position and then carefully peel away the backing on the fusible webbing to be able to iron it in place, creating a long tube.

2. Prepare the back fabric for finishing by ironing a thin strip of fusible webbing to the wrong side of the outside edges. Give yourself a finished edge by first folding the raw edge in toward the wrong side of the fabric and then attaching the fusible webbing so that it catches the raw edge and the wrong side of the fabric.

3. Decorate the front fabric. Using your fabric scraps, iron the rough side of the fusible webbing to the wrong side of the fabric. Then you can either cut these scraps into recognizable shapes to create a scene or attach them haphazardly to the front fabric to create a more abstract design. Free Applique Patterns offers a number of free designs to help spark ideas. You are only limited by your imagination and the fabric you have on hand. Remove the backing of the fusible webbing and press them in place.

4. Attach the front fabric to the back fabric by placing scraps of the fusible webbing every 3 to 4 inches on the wrong side of the back fabric. With wrong sides together, center the front fabric on top of the back fabric leaving approximately 1/2 inch of the back fabric exposed around the edges--the area where you previously placed fusible webbing. Pin the two pieces together in various places. Working in segments, remove the backing of the fusible webbing and iron the front piece to the back.

5. Remove the backing of the webbing on the edges of the back piece and carefully fold over the edges of the front piece, creating a border. Use your iron to press these into place.

Tips & Warnings

• You can decorate the edges of your fabric pieces with glitter glue, glue-on jewels, zig-zag or ribbons to give it a more finished appearance.

• Narrow curtain rods that sell for around $1 to $3 in most hardware stores work well to hang these on the wall.

• Not all fabrics are sewn pre-shrunk. Run the fabric through the laundry, without fabric softener, at least once before cutting.

• Every kind of fusible webbing has its own specific directions for best results. Be sure to follow these instructions and to test your fabric's reaction to the iron.

References

• Bluebird Gardens: Quilts
• Free Applique Patterns: Welcome