Bithday Banner 2.0, and a Tutorial

OK, as a preface, I know there are many tutorials on how to make a fabric banner out there.  I'm not trying to reinvent the wheel, but as I made this particular one for my nieces, I figured out a few tips and tricks.  So I figured I'd share my take on this fun craft.  I use my Modern Letter pattern, which you can find HERE.  I also made a template for the triangles and cupcakes which you can download HERE.   I've since made several more banners.  My Love @ Home variation is HERE, and you can see more tips and tricks for making a more finished banner HERE.

You'll need:

• Printed templates  Click HERE for the banner template, HERE for my letters.
• 14 different fabric scraps, two pieces each at least 10" by 8" in size
• A large scrap of black fabric for the letters
• Heat n bond lite for both the letters and the cupcake applique
• Scraps of felt for the cupcake applique, 
• Matching thread
• 135" of 2" bias tape folded to 1/2"
• Your sewing gear, including scissors, and pinking shears if you have them.  Keep a measuring tape handy, too.

Optionally, you can use a bias tape maker to make your own bias tape, and cutting the triangles with a ruler and rotary cutter is really helpful for straight edges. 

To begin, I traced all the letters for "happy birthday" onto the heat n bond lite.  My Modern Letters are handy because they are already backwards, and takes some guesswork out of the process.

Then, cut out and arrange the letters onto your black fabric.

Next, prepare your triangles.

You can finish your triangles two ways.  My first banner was sewn right sides together and turned.  If you don't have pinking shears, this is a great way to go.  Just follow the first stitching line on the template.  You'll want to trim the fabric around the point before your turn your fabric.  Go the extra mile and topstitch them for a finished look.  If you do have pinking shears, sew on the inner-most line, wrong sides together.  Then, pink the edges on the outer line.

Continue with all 14 fabrics.

Now, you can begin your appliques.  I marked a letter placement on the template.  Or, you can measure as shown here:

Now, I topstitch each letter and the cupcake applique.

One important tip:

If you use black thread on the top, and a thread that matches your fabric in the bobbin, the backs of the triangles look more finished.

Once I'm done sewing all the appliques, it is time to assemble the banner.  Another stylistic thing I do, is sew the ends of the bias tape at slant.

Pin this edge together, and you're ready for the next step.

Now, open the bias tape, and start pinning your triangles to the bias tape.

Now, I sew the triangles to the OPEN bias tape with a basting stitch to make sure they are placed properly.

Now, fold over the bias tape, and pin in place.

You're almost done.

Well done.  You've completed a fun fabric birthday banner.  It will bring a lot of joy for years to come.  My children look forward to getting ours out each time a birthday comes around in our family.

Have fun!


As seen on Craft Gossip and One Pretty Thing.
I'm linking up with Today's Creative Blog, and Someday Crafts and Blue Cricket and Creative Jewish Mom and Women Who Do It All and Somewhat Simple and Kojo Designs.