Remember my 30th birthday brunch? I got an email asking about the fabric banner used for decoration, and I thought it would be a good idea to show you how to make a fabric banner like mine. I’m not saying it was quick. Cheap and easy? Oh yes. (Poor girl, I’m gonna’ get her bad a reputation on Pinterest if I keep talking like that.)
I purchased this piping/chord (don’t really know what it is?) at the fabric store for under $2 a yard. Luckily, the fabric was on sale for $3.99 a yard. I chose fabrics that looked the same on both sides. This is key for this project. I got 1/2 yard of each color.
1. To begin, cut the strips about one and a half inches wide. This was the most time consuming part. (I suggest watching an episode of Mad Men or two episodes of Modern Family to help pass the time.) The width of each strip will vary some. Several of mine were crooked, but this doesn’t really matter in the long run. Don’t get hung up on making it perfect. You’ll drive yourself crazy, and this cheap project will end up costing you your sanity.
2. After you’ve cut all the strips, I laid them in piles by color. I wish I had taken a picture of all the little piles; they looked like pastel “hay” stacks across my living room.
3. Next, tie a knot connecting the fabric strip to the chord starting in the center of the chord. Continue adding and knotting fabric strips to each side. You could go for a pattern, but I kind of picked from each stack randomly. I wanted it to feel a bit whimsical.
I had to show you guys the following pics…I asked Stu to pose while I took test shots for the banner pic. Consider this the gag reel.
Oh how cool!! I’m finally throwing myself a housewarming party after a year of living in my own place and this fabric banner is giving me some great ideas for the decorations! =)
Love the gag reel!
Lemanie’s Randomness Blog
Great banner! One way to cut those strips quicker may be to use a rotary cutter. Which ever way, it is adorable!
I love it! Cute outfit too btw…
Love the gag reel. Hilarious.
Love this!!! It looks great 🙂
Heather-that would’ve made things SO much easier!
Thanks for the lovin’ ladies:)
ohhh how darling! I love how enthusiastic your ‘model’ looks as well! 😉
http://www.NorthernCottage.net
I love it! What a great idea for an Easter/Spring decoration. Can’t wait to try this.
P.S. I love your blog, it is so vibrant and encouraging.
~Cristina
Heather. How long was your cording? Love this so clever!
yes- the “model” was not too happy then, but has enjoyed seeing all the comments today:)
thanks christina! it would be so cute at easter. hadn’t thought of that.
lakchi, i think got 2 yards.
Awesome idea! I was just wondering what to do with all my fabric scraps!! New visitor 🙂
Very cool! I’m working on nearly the same thing as a window covering for our master bath. The cording is a good idea… I was going to try to use twine!
Liked you on FB. 🙂
jamie-that’s a great idea!
Ha! I love the pics of Stu as I can so see my husband doing the same! I love this banner and the fabric you chose!! Seriously excited about using this as a cool picture backdrop or for my girl’s upcoming birtday parties! Would love if you would link it up on my Destination: Inspiration party at Teagan’s Travels.
http://teaganstravels.blogspot.com/2012/02/destination-inspiration-linky-party-3.html
Thanks for the inspiration! Michelle
I just stumbled upon your blog and I love your ideas! This one is so cute for a party or you can even hang it from a window in a little girls room! The fabric cutting would go a lot faster with a rotary cutter I bet. If you get a chance come check out my blog Bringingbeauty.blogspot.com
I love that banner! so cute! Although your hubby’s reaction is so funny!! lol
I love how it turned out!! So pretty!
http://munchtalk.blogspot.com/
Love the banner!! So cute & the color combo is just perfect!
The piping cord is what they use when the add piping to pillows or upholstery. You sew it between fabric so you can match or compliment your upholstery. Anyway, never tried it but have thought about it. Love the idea for using it with this!
Once again you amaze me, so cute!!
-Katie Mc.
Alison, yes. Next time a rotary cutter will be purchased! Katie – you’re too sweet-OK, now I think I’ve seen the piping before just covered in fabric on a pillow. There’s so much about the sewing world I DON’T know!
Thanks Michelle, Rachel, and Jasanna:)
Love this banner. My daughters 8th birthday is next week and she would love this…especially if she can choose the fabric. Thanks for the idea!
I love these. I’ve been thinking of ways to incorporate one into our wedding decor. Glad to know they’re so cost effective!
@Yby5-that would be such a fun project and memory for your daughter to pick out the fabric herself.
@Tan- yeah, cheap and something that the bridesmaids could be assigned t make!
Love it ! Great idea
*hugs*deb
So creative! Love this idea for all of my extra scraps of fabric! Have a good weekend! xo
I saw this and thought it ought to be a skirt, but I LOVE the idea of using it for bathroom curtains! The shade in my bathroom has died … it won’t go “up” anymore … and this would be so cool … you could use a tie to pull it aside when you want to let the light in. Love it! Tell your model he’s awesome! 🙂
HELLO dearie – I’ve featured you over at NORTHERN COTTAGE. Come on over & grab a button to spread the word! xo
http://www.NorthernCottage.net
This is so fun and a great idea. We loved having you link up to “Strut Your Stuff Saturday.” We hope to have you back again soon!! -The Sisters
This is just simply gorgeous. I love, love, LOVE all of the colors. This would look nice in my kitchen! I have to give it a try! Your newest follower (saw your post on Sugar and Dots)!
Gabby
The…Late, Young Family
Love this!! Would LOVE to have you share this at my party going on now! Maybe even become my newest follower 🙂
http://www.pincushioncreations.com/2012/03/homemade-by-you-3.html
this is super cute!! it’s great inspiration for the front my craft show table. i wrote about it on my new blog. thanks for the inspiration!!
http://twentysix33.blogspot.com/2012/03/getting-cute-table.html
This is so cute!!! I now have a cheap decoration to make for my guest room/playroom. Now to decide on a color scheme!
Absolutely lovely! Can you tell me how long each strip was? Thanks
Beautiful! Fabulous job~
http://cafecraftea.blogspot.com/
SO glad I found this back to the craft store I need a new rotary .. making a decoration for my daughters wedding … thanks!
Exceptional blog you guys have conserved there, I absolutely appraise your effort.
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How long do the fabric pieces hang? Can’t decide if my strips are too short of too long once I tie it. Thanks!
I don’t have the banner anymore, but I think they were about 18 inches once the knot had been tied. So if you tied the not in the middle, your strips would be around 36 inches.
Hope that helps!
Thank you!
Love this just got done making one for my son’s first birthday! I have a few things to add too!
First I bought the fabric before referencing this article again and bought some fabric that was polkadotted and not the same on both sides. I found that when knotting the fabric on the rope if I did a slipknot I could control it and show the fabric facing outward. This also made it easier to add fabric between colors to make it more even and slide them over to make it evenly on my rope
Second when I was cutting because I have sharp scissors I was basically able to slide the scissors up like you might do with wrapping paper saved a lot of time !
Did you cut your fabric strips length wise or width wise?
I cut them length wise. (I think?) It’s been a while. Sorry, Brooke!
How would you suggest hanging this on a wall? I made one following your tutorial for my 30th birthday and loved it! I tried taping it up, but it was just too heavy and kept falling down. Now I’d like to use the same one to hang in my daughter’s nursery. Any suggestions? Thank you!