Banner Times

It's my birthday today. So this post is appropriate. 

 I saw a tutorial for this really cute birthday banner. I didn't really want to buy a pattern for it though since it seemed to be just U-shaped pieces and block letters. So I tried to make my own.

I started by cutting out my flags. I used my word processing program to print out a large flag in the shape I wanted. I could have also gone with a triangular shape or with the classic pennant or banner shape (straight top with two triangles hanging down) but I really liked the rounded bottom on this one and figured it would be easier to sew.

Then I printed out my letters and transferred them to the paper backing of some fusible web. The trick is to transfer them in reverse. The letter style I used only required a few of them to be reversed so that was handy.

Once I did that, it was a matter of ironing them on to the fabric I chose, cutting them out, and then ironing them on to the flags. I used a ruler to make sure they were all the same distance from the top (I think it was 2 1/2 inches) and centered them by eyeballing it.

After that, I sewed around the edge with a dark thread. I didn't really think this would help them stand out as much as it actually did.

I got this really cute, colorful donut fabric off the clearance at Hobby Lobby several weeks ago. It was so fun, and I thought it would make a great banner. The challenge was using fabrics for the letters that would show against it.

Once all those letters were done, I pinned backs on each flag (I used a solid color I had enough of but you could use the same fabric too if you have enough.

And sewed them all together.

Before I turned them, I used my pinking shears to clip around the curved part and reduce bulk.

I'm wondering now if I could just do that all the time. It always makes me nervous clipping curves 'to the stitching.' If so, I might just try that from now on.

Then, I turned them all and ironed them flat.

And, of course, lay them out in order making sure I was happy with it. I think I switched around a different color of the same letter here or there.

Next, I ran a basting stitch along the top of the whole thing after pinning them together with each flag overlapping the next a tiny bit.

Add a binding across the top and ties (I just tucked in more sewn together binding but she used rick rack strings or ribbon would have worked too).

And we now have a really cute banner that will last much longer than the cardboard or plastic ones from the store.

I think I ended up making both my flags and my letters larger than hers but I don't care because I loved how it turned out.

And I'm looking forward to being the first one to use it.