A Banner for SWAPS

Over the years, Girl Scouts tend to collect a lot of SWAPS if they attend events, gathering and camps. SWAPS are Special.Whatchamatcallits.Affectionately.Pinned.Somewhere. In everyday people terms, a SWAP is a small handmade crafty item (usually with a pin attached) that Girl Scouts exchange. Girls make them to take to camps and events as conversation openers and for sharing. Many times the SWAPS have a specific meaning or purpose and other times they are a message of friendship and sisterhood. SWAPS are not supposed to be attached to the Girl Scout vests or sashes and therefore need a home. This banner for SWAPS is perfect for a girl to hang in her bedroom to display her handmade pins and treasures.

To make this you will need the following:

  • Large Piece of Kunin Premiumfelt (18 inches by 48 inches)
  • 9” x 12” craft cuts Kunin Classicfelt: variety of colors
  • Die Cut Letters (I made these with my Ellison die-cut machine.)
  • Sewing Machine
  • Curtain Rod
  • Pom-Pom Garland

You can sew your letters to spell SWAPS anywhere on the large piece of felt, leaving 4 inches at the top for creating the rod pocket. Because you will be folding the felt in half lengthwise to create a curtain rod pocket and a thicker banner, be sure your letters will end up on the front. We sewed ours down the side.

We added pom-pom trim to the bottom of the banner, sewing it in between the front and back to close the banner.

We inserted the rod to hang our banner.

Then we added SWAPS.

The trading or SWAPS in Girl Scouts allows girls a chance to share their creativity. It often takes courage to walk up to a new girl and ask to trade so the exercise itself encourages new friendships and connection.

You can now find an expanded color line of Kunin® ClassicfeltKunin® Premiumfelt and ShaggiChic non-wovens fabrics in cut by the yard at your local Walmart; please inquire as to what is available in your area.

Cheers to Friendship,
Laura

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