Well, it’s me, Susan (susiestampalot), and I’m back with another fascinating tip/tutorial. Today I’m going to share something that may seem to some as mudane, but I tell ya’ll, when I heard this snazzy little tip from a friend, I had never thought of this method before! It’s a unique way to make those swell fishtail banners that are all the rage.
As always, we have an idea of what we are going to be using. My favorite little “robin” from the Winter Fun Robin set will be joining us today. Right now, he’s naked, but I am going to be coloring him red with a sickly green tummy here shortly. (I wish I had made his belly ivory or something. Not a happy with the green, but I was too far into it to start over, in my book!)
If you’re into yoga, you’ll know this phrase, “find your center”. Do exactly that at the bottom of where you want your “flag-end” or fishtail. You can measure and get all precise on me or just eyeball it with your “special eye”. Make a cut vertically however deep you’d like the fishtail angle to be.
Here’s the result of the first cut.
I made dotted lines on the paper strip, just for ya’ll to see where I’m cutting. At this point (no pun intended), all you do is cut from the corners to where you ended the first vertical cut.
Here’s a little look at what kind of difference this could possibly make. If nine times out of ten your fishtails look like the one on the right and you have to end up fixing it a bunch to even it out, this method is for you. Your welcome.
Here’s the Cliff Notes version.
Are you kidding me??? It’s that easy? Mine look all gross and yucky! I’m going to have to try this. Thanks for the tip. I sure learned something new today.
fab tip… i always try doing it by sight… and end up cutting too much on one side all the time… i will have to remember that one
Fantastic tip!! Thanks for sharing!! I try to do that.. sometimes I still end up crooked.. I must be a little crooked LOL
I never even thought of doing it that way – that is so easy —- thank you for sharing this great tip with us ….. now I can use the money I was saving for that die for something else. (especially since it’s Christmas) I saw a tip somewhere else to use the square punch – and I have tried that method as well, but quite often the edges are not straight. This method definitely works!
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I’ve tried the 1st method and mine always ended up looking like the one on the right. I’ve never thought to use grid paper as a guide. I’ve also used a square punch which is the same size of the width of the banner and inserting the banner into it diagonally and have had success with it.
Brilliant! This is soooo one of those “head-slapping, I never thought to do it that way” things π
Great tip this works every time for me. Thanks for sharing the great card.
I heard about this about a month ago and have had no trouble since–love this tip.
Great tip. Thanks
Wonderful tip. I wish I had read this before I made my card today. I cut my banner/fishtale sentiment base 3 times. LOL!!!
Yoga+paper crafting= pure happiness! Great tip thanks for sharing π
thanks for sharing this tip
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Great tip…I typically draw lines on my paper on the back side…I use my quilters mat to line everything up…your card is wonderful!!!
LOL, would you believe I eyeball it? Will have to try this sometime, thanks for the tip Susie Q! π
~ Meredith
Super easy way to make pennants – that beats all the measuring and rulers. Thanks for sharing.
I make a mess with this every time! Thanks for sharing and providing a light-bulb, I should’ve had a V8 moment, lol Will give this a try on some Christmas cards this week!
Great idea….thanks for sharing and love the card
Great tip! I have also scored along the middle of the piece before and then cut to the top of the score line.
Great tip this works every time for me. Thanks for sharing the great card. estetik
Super easy way to make pennants – that beats all the measuring and rulers. Thanks for sharing. Rinoplasti