ByChris Posted on
I am sooo excited to finally have this project complete and ready to share. I spend so much time creating party ideas for my freelance jobs, that it has taken me about a year to get this done {in my “spare” time}. I wanted to create a bridal shower theme to inspire you, to give you unique & interesting ideas, and to show you what you can do with a few {okay, a lot} of supplies from the craft store.
My inspiration came a couple of years ago during a thrift store shopping spree. I came across some large vintage spools and had to have them, but what would I do with them?? There’s been several “sewing” and “button” themes published so I didn’t want to do that again, but I loved the idea of incorporating all kinds of cool sewing details. I decided on this Shabby Chic ‘Fashionista’ bridal shower {for lack of a better name}. Think of it as the theme for your friend who loves to be trendy but loves to wear vintage at the same time, or that gal who enjoys sewing or clothing design, or the girl who just loves neutral colors & shabby chic style.
I’ll be sharing several posts over the next 2 days & next week so make sure you come back for the dessert table, an appetizer recipe {}, and some DIY’s to pull it all together.
The Table
Party Decorations
- I love a neutral palette, and canvas and burlap seemed to go so beautifully together, plus the mix of texture added interest. I laid the foundation with a white fitted tablecloth from TableVogue, which is floor length so it’s a nice clean look. As I was mulling around Hobby Lobby one day I stumbled upon the fixture where they display sewing patterns and decided that would make the perfect ‘overlay’ to the table. The color is perfect, the theme is of course right on, and the unique look of it is unexpected and interesting.
- White plates are softened by topping them with embroidery hoops filled with burlap squares, and a heart sewn on. I just eyeballed it and each one took about 5 minutes to complete.
- Utensils are placed in a kraft sack which is dressed up with large canvas button shapes from the scrapbook section, and measuring tape ribbon.
- Place card holders are made from spools, canvas ribbon, metal embellishments, and iron-on transfers.
- The centerpiece is a fun mix of the large spools that started this whole thing {wrapped with yarn and lace}, buttons, an embellished felt heart, flowers, and a mini dress form. One of my favorite little details is the fabric swatch attached that says “Carol’s Bridal Shower.” Again, I used an iron-on transfer to make that.
- The bride’s chair is made special with a “love” sign, and spool garland hanging across the back.
The Bar
What’s more welcoming to a party than a bar? Set up a champagne bar with several juices to choose from {for mixing or for those who don’t partake} and let guests help themselves as they arrive. I set this up between 2 displays so it could serve as the bar and a place to hold favors.
- Drink stir sticks are made with wooden stir sticks and vintage looking buttons. Just adhere them using glue dots.
- Champagne bottles are dressed up with various materials that are used throughout the party design: fabric flowers, burlap, lace, kraft paper…. I love the look of the kraft paper molded to the top of the bottle.
- I made a bar banner with leftover burlap and canvas measuring tape. For the letters I used – you guessed it – iron on transfer letters!
- More decorations were added in the way of yarn-wrapped foam balls, vintage style clothes pins wrapped with embroidery thread, buttons, and another mini dress form. A monogram is dressed up with more fabric flowers.
The other half of the bar area is set up on a garden shelf, and also holds guest favors.
- Various juices are served in pretty glass decanters that I’ve collected over the years. The flavors are MANGO, PEAR, PEACH, GUAVA, & APRICOT. These are juice nectars found in the Mexican food section of the grocery store, and make the BEST champagne add-ins! Some rock candy stirrers are added for fun.
- Bottle “necklaces” were made to identify each juice flavor, using canvas tags {with iron on transfers – seeing a theme here?} and ball chain – so easy.
- I added a small spool display which can be used for a cool activity for guests. Write a number on the bottom of each spool and let guests grab one as they arrive. During the shower, pick 2 or 3 numbers at random to win a prize.
- The “love” button sign was a must-have item I found at TJMaxx last year {I told you I’ve been working on this a while!}.
- Display favors creatively: Fill canvas or burlap bags with candy and add each guests monogram to the outside. That way they can keep it and use it for other things.
- Since this shower has a fashion theme, I think these simple necklaces would make fantastic favors. They are easy to make, OR you can provide these supplies and let this be the activity during the shower. All you need are ball chains, wire cutters, jewelry pliers, jump rings, and an array of decorative pendants.
There you have ideas for design, activities, drinks, and favors. There’s a lot more to come too, so make sure you check back or sign up for email updates {on the right, near the top}.
