Fall Fun: Child’s Writing Thanksgiving Banner

Make a banner to last from year to year, that captures your child’s writing.  We included a simple version of two popular types of banners. (You could also purchase a blank banner kit from a craft store!)

This activity was featured on The Crafty Crow.  Looking for seasonal ideas to do together?  Check them out!

http://www.thecraftycrow.net/2014/11/kid-made-thanksgiving-bunting.html

 *Please excuse our paint-stained hands!

Materials

Pendent Style Banner

• Fabric
• Bias tape
• Iron (to be used by an adult)
• Cardstock
• Template banner_Template
• Scissors
• Fabric scissors
• Embroidery floss
• Needle
• Stick pins
• Fabric glue or sewing machine/thread
• Pencil

Tassels

• Needle
• Embroidery floss
• Pom Poms
• Fabric scissors

Tied Style Banner

• Fabric
• Cardstock
• Template banner_Template
• Scissors
• Sewing marker (or pencil)
• Embroidery floss
• Needle (we suggest a larger, more dull type)
• Fabric scissors

Tassels 

• Embroidery floss skeins
• Wood beads
• Bamboo Skewers, floral foam, paintbrushes, smock and acrylic paint (if you want to paint your wood beads to coordinate with your banner)

Directions

Pendent Style Banner

• Have an adult iron your fabric and your bias tape open and then ironed folded in half.

• Cut out triangles from your fabric as shown, according to the size you want.  We provided a sample template. *Please excuse our son’s paint stained hands!*

• Write your message on your pendents, with one letter on each.  We lightly used a pencil to write: “F-A-M-I-L-Y”.

• Sew over the letters using embroidery floss. (If your child is learning, it may be helpful to use an embroidery hoop or for you to hold it taut.  We used a basic “up, down” stitch. (One trick we found helpful for the part when you poke the needle up through the fabric is to kindof scratch the needle gently on the fabric, until you get it on the right spot on the line before you poke it up.)

• Pin your lettered pendents into the fold of your bias tape and sew them together (you could use fabric glue alternatively.)

• Attach your tassels (as you can see we reversed this step, but in the future would leave attaching the tassels until last!)

Mini Pom Pom Tassels

• Make a little bundle with embroidery floss as shown.

• Tie (double knot) it with a longer piece of floss.

• Fold the ends together and trim with fabric scissors. (An adult holding it steady may help, as shown.)  Be sure not to cut your long piece.

• Thread a needle onto your long piece.

• Thread your pom poms.

• Attach and knot it to each of your pendents!

• Enjoy your banner! (And/or make a silly face!)

Tied Style Banner

• Have an adult iron your fabric.

• Make a triangle and a band on top on cardstock to form your pattern.  (We used the width of a ruler to create the band)  Cut out your fabric pieces as shown, with your template pinned to the fabric. We have provided a template should you like.  (Trace around the edges using a sewing marker or fabric pen.) IMPORTANT: On the top strip of the template, add approximately 5 centimetres/2 inches to both sides (as the template prints landscape on an 8 1/2 by 11 inch page, and you need a bit more to tie them together.)

• Decide what message you would like to have on your banner.  (We Give Thanks, Thankful etc.)  Write it lightly on your fabric pieces in large  letters.

*As you can see, we added our tassels early and would suggest this as a last step!*

• Embroider over your letters.

• Lie your pieces out in order and tie the end of one of your banner “flags” to the next, using the top strips.

Tassels

• Put your wood beads on a bamboo skewer, spacing them apart.  Stick the end in floral foam to keep them steady.  Don your smock and paint them.  Allow them to dry overnight.

• Each skein of embroidery floss will make 2 tassels.

• Take the paper off your embroidery floss skein.

• Carefully unravel about 4-6 lengths of your floss (keeping the shape of the bundle), snipping this piece off.  Cut the piece in half.  You will use this to tie your tassels and string your beads.  Cut your bundle carefully in half.  On the fold make a knot, using the piece you cut off previously.  Thread your needle, lace your beads and attach it to the bottom of your pendents.

• Hang your banner on the wall and enjoy from year to year!

Purpose

• Writing for display purposes.
• Learning to sew.

Safety Notes

• Use a needle with care and direct adult supervision.
• Wear a smock to protect your clothing from paint.