SMA: Prayer Flags for the New Year

Let’s create some beautiful Prayer Flags to send out good wishes for the New Year.

As they move about in the air, prayer flags send out the wish or wishes embodied thereupon. If you hang them outside, the flags slowly disintegrate (or a squirrel steals one for a blanket, which is what happened to some of mine).

You will have one partner, for whom you will create a 5x8 inch fabric prayer flag, using at least two different media (painting, machine stitching, stamping, hand stitching, collage, etc.). Your flag will include a New Year’s wish for your partner (for example: good health, creative bounty, friendship, abundance, etc.). This swap is sender’s choice.

To make the flags (directions altered only slightly from Cloth Paper Scissors):

1. Cut pieces of fabric to 5" x 11.”

2. Fold the top down on each piece of fabric and stitch in place to create a 3" sleeve, making the flag surface 5" x 8." (For those who don’t sew, I have also created the sleeve using stitch witchery or a similar type of fabric adhesive, and they have held up just fine outside in all kinds of weather.)

3. Go to town with sewing, stamping, painting, stenciling, drawing, appliqueing, collaging, or whatever techniques you want to use.

Some resources:

The Prayer Flag Project blog:

Prayer Flag Project Flickr group:

Jane LaFazio’s blog

Cloth Paper Scissors (Mar/Apr 2012 issue):

Recap: Send 1 mixed-media prayer flag to 1 partner.

Let me know if you have any questions.