I have a deep and abiding love for vintage fabrics. They are so pretty and colorful, and I love all their sweet florals and patterns. And since my previous job was as a graphic/website designer, I have a thing for typography too. This giant Vintage Fabric Wrapped Ampersand is the perfect blend of those two loves!
When I saw the giant paper mache letters that Consumer Crafts carries, I just knew I had to wrap one up in pretty vintage fabrics. This fabric crafts ampersand project looks so cute, all covered in florals and felt flowers! I am going to put it on my mantel, or maybe even as part of my gallery wall display.
The felt flowers are so pretty too – with colorful little pearl centers.
This is a nice quick project too!
Supplies needed to make your own vintage fabric wrapped ampersand:
- Large Paper Mache Letters (I used this ampersand)
- White Felt
- Colored Head Pins or Assorted Pearls
- Hot Glue Gun
- Vintage Fabrics
Start with your giant paper mache letter. This is 23.5″ letter but you could use any size.
Cut a square of fabric a little bigger than the square end of the ampersand. Hot glue the fabric around the end.
Tear your fabric into 1 1/2″ – 2″ strips. Begin wrapping the first strip around the letter, almost to the edge. Make sure you stop and start your strips in the back of the letter.
On the sections that the letter “overlaps” we’re going to glue strips of the fabric so it looks like you have wrapped it, even if the fabric won’t really fit that way. I’ll show you in just a bit. Switch up your fabrics and continue wrapping around the bottom curve and up the side.
Here’s where we’re going to glue those strips. Lay them over the center part where the letter curves around and overlaps itself. Later we’ll cover up those ends when we wrap the other direction.
Continue wrapping around the top section and start and stop on either side of where the letter overlaps. Add some of your original fabric strips on the bottom section where it overlaps as well.
Glue a fabric square around the other end of the symbol, then wrap right up to the end. Now our fabric letter is all wrapped up cute!
Create some rolled felt roses. If you need a tutorial, you can find one on my Fabric and Felt Flowers Page. Finish the center of the flower with a small pearl and glue in place. Or as an option, you can use a pearl head stick pin and just pin the rose right through the paper mache to hold the flower to the letter!
Make as many flowers as you’d like and glue or pin them along the curve of the letter. Change up your pearl colors to go with your fabrics.
And that’s all there is to it! You now have a cute new covered fabric letter or symbol to brighten up any room!
I hope you give it a try!
Ashey @ 3 Little Greenwoods says
This project would be perfect for a gallery wall in my dining room! I have a love for vintage fabric too. In fact, I have one of the fabrics you used. ;)
Thanks for the inspiration!
~ Ashley
Syl says
I especially like the flowers with their various colored centers. It’s like putting the cherry on top of what’s already great.
Cookie17 says
Hey hey this so cute love material on it,I went Joann’s other day they have lot’s new buttons all color’s & sizes so pretty.Must be a button craft rush starting I love them .They be pretty on this all so,Thank’s again..Cookie17
Michele @ The Scrap Shoppe says
This is SO super cute! I’m so jealous of your vintage sheet collection. You have some amazing pieces! They look amazing on this ampersand!