Stitch a colourful bunting

1. Use the template from page 83 to draw five pennants onto turquoise linen using a fabric maker or pencil. On three of the shapes – referring to the image as a guide or creating your own design – draw a cluster of six circles with a seventh in the centre.

2. On the remaining two shapes sketch a square, with diagonal lines running from corner to corner and a circle inside each. To the centres of each of the circles stitch a decorative gem or button. Thread an embroidery needle with two strands of thread and, beginning at any part of the design, chain stitch along the lines, varying the thread colours on each piece.

3. Once the embroidery is complete, cut out the pennants. Use the templates to cut backing fabric for each from purple cotton and tack the two layers together, close to the edges. Stitch satin bias binding along the edges, except for the top.

4. Fold a 40cm piece of red linen in half lengthways, then press each of the long edges under by 1cm. Trim the strip, if necessary, to measure 1m in length. Pin lengths of braid and ribbon along one half of this strip and stitch into place by hand or machine. Turn each short end under by 1cm for a neat finish.