Harvest Banners

The banners we made at the Make 'n Take were made from burlap bags.  Especially, if you are using a wide-weave burlap like the bags, it is highly recommended you handle your triangle flags with care and paint them with ModPodge as soon as you have added the lettering so you can use them repeatedly over the years.

Materials needed:

Ø  Burlap fabric: one strip 7” long & 28” wide (recommended fabrics:  tight weave burlap, felt, or heavy cottons such as duck or canvas).  It is highly recommended, if using burlap, to coat the triangles with ModPodge after adding the lettering.  This will help keep the triangles from fraying with use.

Ø  Ribbon:  ¾” wide (or wider as desired), approximately 10’ (this measurement will be determined by your fireplace or the area where you will hang the banner)

Ø  8 silk leaves (you can add more if desired)

Ø  Pattern: can be cut of paper or lightweight cardboard

Ø  Lettering stencils, if desired (2-1/2” tall or less)

Ø  Glue gun, glue sticks, scissors, sewing machine with thread in the color of your choice

Ø  Permanent marker in black or brown or color of your choice

1.     Make a triangle pattern that measures 6” across the top and 7” down to the point in the center of the triangle.  Using this pattern, cut 7 triangle flags out of ironed burlap fabric. 

2.    Stay stitch ¼” from the edge on all three sides of each triangle flag to prevent excessive fraying, being careful not to stretch the burlap as you stitch. (If using a loose weave burlap such as a burlap bag, stay stitching will not stop fraying. Use one of the alternate methods included)

3.    Using stencils (or freehand) and permanent markers, print the letters H – A – R – V – E – S – T on the burlap triangle flags – one letter on each. You can also print out the letters from your computer, hold them up to a window behind the burlap and trace the letters onto the burlap.  Then you can fill them in with the permanent markers.  (Remember to place something under the triangles to keep the marker from bleeding onto your table or work surface)

4.    Measure your fireplace or area where you are going to hang the banner and cut your ribbon to that length, remembering to add some length to hang down each side of the fireplace, if desired. 

5.    Laying the ribbon down on a flat surface, place the triangle flags in place – spacing evenly across the ribbon.  You may want to pin them in place and hold it up to the fireplace to check it before gluing.

6.    When you have the triangle flags in place, glue the ribbon to the front of each flag with a glue gun or Fabric-Tac adhesive. 

7.    Add a silk leaf between each flag and on each end of the row of flags (8 total).

Your banner is complete and ready to hang.