Raise your hand if like me you don’t want summer to end! It’s been so nice to take it slow and just hang out with my little family. One of my favorite ways to make summer last a bit longer is to have picnics (just like this one) way into the fall until the rain comes…and even then… I am pretty unstoppable when it comes to picnics 
Anyhow, today I wanted to share a little tutorial for bright and cheerful picnic throws with pompoms, to make each of your summer picnics a little celebration. Because, duh, pompoms. Come on, look at these guys and tell me they don’t make you smile
These are especially great if you are planning a little picnic party and want to add a little whimsy. Maybe a birthday in the park? Or a movie night with friends in your backyard? I’ll definitely be using these next year when we celebrate the girls’ birthdays! Olivia was all over the throw with the golden pineapples….that’s my girl 
I love that print too.
This project is a very easy sewing project – perfect if you are just starting or want to get into sewing! You’ll get a lot of practice sewing in straight lines here. I used Spoonflower‘s new eco canvas – the colors are so vibrant, the fabric has a great weight to it, and will hold up really well being thrown on the ground and washed many times. I also LOVE the endless pattern options that they offer!
The pompoms are also super simple to make, they take 5 minutes. The pompoms are clipped on the throw, so that when it gets dirty – and it will if you’re doing your job right – you can just take them off and put the throw in the wash. Et voila! You can also remove the pompoms whenever you want to pack the throw in a smaller bag without room for the pompoms.
What you need
- 2 yards of canvas fabric – found mine via Spoonflower (golden pineapples, flowers, and plaid)
- 4 large safety pins
- 4 balls of thick yarn – I used my all-time favorite Eskimo Drops yarn.
What you do
1. Fold the sides to form the hem. Fold short edges first and then fold the longer edges as in picture one. Pin in place.
2. Sew into place with a basic stitch.
3. Make the pompoms. Cut a long piece of string (one foot or so) and tie around your ball of yarn, straight in the middle.
4. Cut your ball at each end to let the yarn loose. You will end up with an uneven pompom as in picture 5.
6. Trim down the strings of wool until the pompom looks even to you.
7. Attach the pompom to the big safety pin, and pin a pompom to each corner of your throw.
Disclaimer: Spoonflower sent me a few yards of eco canvas fabric to complete this project. I was not compensated in any other way. All ideas, words and pictures are my own.
