Sew a Festive Patriotic Wind Sock

From our July 2003 Issue

Home Dec
DONNA BABYLON

Give your party guests the star-spangled treatment by making this festive windsock.

MATERIALS

5"-diameter metal macramé ring
6" x16 3/4" rectangle of star fabric
9" x 16 3/4" rectangle of stripe fabric
17 1"x 19" strips of assorted red, white and blue ribbons. (Mix and match solids with checks, dots and stripes.)
1 package each of red, white and blue jumbo rickrack, cut into 19" lengths
1 yard of 1/4"-wide red, white or blue ribbon
Polyester or nylon sewing thread

Themed windsocks are the perfect decorating accent for any outdoor event, fluttering playfully for your entire party.

Traditionally, windsocks are made from nylon ripstop, taffeta or oxford cloth, available in a variety of bright colors. Nylon is sturdy enough to withstand outdoor rigors like sun and wind, but light enough to be free floating. Some nylons are available with a coating to make them more durable and UV resistant.

For special occasions, seasonal cotton fabric can also be used. However, cotton fabrics are not fade-resistant. Spray protectants are available that resist water, oil and grease as well as providing a UV protection to help reduce fading. (The featured patriotic windsock is made from cotton fabrics and trim.)

Regardless of the fabrics used, windsocks aren't recommended for permanent display. To prolong their life, store windsocks away from the sun and wind when not in use.

Construction

Note: Unless otherwise indicated, sew with the fabric right sides together using 1/2" seams.

Stitch the star and stripe fabrics together along one long edge. Trim the seam allowance and clean-finish the edge with a zigzag or overcast stitch.

On the star fabric remaining long edge, fold and press 1/4" toward the wrong side. Then fold over and press another 1/4", but don't stitch.

Position the windsock right side up on a flat surface and arrange the wide ribbons and rickrack lengths randomly along the stripe fabric lower edge, matching the raw edges. Layer some rickrack lengths directly over some of the ribbon lengths. Leave 1/2" free along the side edge for seaming; stitch the ribbon and rickrack in place (1).

Stitch ribbons and rickrack to stripe fabric raw edge.

Stitch ribbons and rickrack to stripe fabric raw edge.

Stitch a 1/4"-wide double hem at the lower windsock edge.

Unfold the upper windsock hem. Fold the windsock right sides together, matching the stars/stripes seam and the upper and lower edges; stitch the side seam (2). Test-fit the windsock to the ring and make any necessary adjustments to fit the ring circumference; zigzag or serge the seam allowance edges to finish.

Windsock Upper Edge

Turn the windsock right side out. Place the ring inside the upper folded edge. Using a zipper foot, stitch close to the hem folded edge, encasing the ring in the hem.

Tie a double knot at each end of the 1/4"-wide ribbon. Securely hand stitch each knot of the ribbon hanger to the windsock inside upper edge, directly opposite each other.

SOURCES

Catch The Wind, Dept. SN, Box 973, Lincoln City, OR 97367, (800) 227-7878, www.catchthewind.com, sells ripstop nylon.

Clotilde, Dept. SN, Box 7500, Big Sandy, TX, 75755-7500, (800) 772-2891, www.clotilde.com, sells a hot knife kit.

Colors on the Wind, Dept. SN, 118 E. Wellesley, Spokane, WA 99207, (888) 484-5483, www.colors-wind.com, sells UV protectant spray.

Seattle Fabrics, Dept. SN, 8702 Aurora Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98103, (206) 525-0670, www.seattlefabrics.com, sells several types of nylon fabrics, including coated ripstop.


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