Making Fabric Banners & Garland

I love making fabric garland. I sell them in my Etsy shop and I make them for my friends and family. 

Here’s a couple photos of the banners I made for my grandmothers on my trip up to see them last February. (SOB! The one I made for my Grandma is now hanging in my house since my Grandma passed away at the beginning of March last year and the family thought I should have it back…

I am hanging it from the windows in my living room where I spend most of my day and I tear up every time I see it now) 

I bought this blue and purple fabric bundle as well as the yellow and patchwork bundle to take with me on my trip to see my grandparents. 

The fabric was very thin, which was PERFECT for this project, but I would NOT recommend it for sewing unless you're going to be using a heavy backing. Be careful sewing with it too because I would imagine it would snag and rip easily (which is why it was PERFECT for the garland!). The fabrics were SO pretty and very well coordinated and I love how the banners turned out. 

I made two banners that were beautiful and my grandmas LOVED them. I made one double-length banner for both of them since they both had very large windows. 

I also decorated both of their walkers with it. 

Making the fabric garland is pretty easy. I make mine from fat quarters. I can make two garlands with one set of 5 fat quarters. I tear the fat quarters in half lengthwise, and then put one half aside for the next banner. I take the half left and tear it lengthwise into 6 strips. Don’t worry if they’re not totally even because it just adds to the charm of the garland. 

Do the same thing with all 5 pieces of fabric so you have 6 strips of 5 different fabrics, all approximately 22 inches by 1.5 inches. Then, I use a slip knot to attach all of the fabric to a piece of jute string. My garland has about 18 inches of string on either side of the fabrics with a loop on the end for hanging. I fit the fabric strips into a 36 inch section of string. Usually, this means the strips are about 1/2 inch apart. I just use my fingertip to gauge the distance. 

See, easy! You can make (or buy) one for birthday parties, photo shoots, graduation open houses, baby showers, doorway or window decorations, wall hangings, etc. I have made some for every holiday and season and I rotate them out about monthly. I also make them with fabrics coordinated for my son’s birthday parties. 

Below I have included photos of the banners I have made for my Etsy shop as well as ones for family, friends, or just for me. 

They're so much fun, and so easy to make! 

What's the color scheme in your house?