Half of the summer I had searched for a welcome banner for my classroom without much luck. The ones that I did find were either on the flimsy side or weren't big enough. It was then that I decided to make my own personalized banner. I wanted the banner to match the owl-themed decor in my room and was just the right size. This design was inspired from one I had seen at a store and thought it would look really cute revamped for my doorway.
Supplies: 1) 12" wide x 22" long calico fabric and 12" wide x 6" long piece of muslin 2) felt sheets in assorted colors 3) embroidery thread or a glue gun 4) both fabric scissors and pinking shears 5) two matching buttons 6) bias tape (optional) 7) 12" wide x 16" long of lightweight fusible lining 8) 14" dowel
Download SeeSueStitch Owl Banner Pattern
Finished size: approx. 11" wide x 27" long
Step 1: Sew the muslin piece to one end of your calico fabric (right sides together). I used a 1/4" seam allowance. Once you've joined both pieces, you'll have 27" piece rectangle. Press your fabric then add the lining so it covers 1 half of the rectangle. Set aside your fabric.
Step 2: Cut out the *owl pattern pieces and letters (*only the owl pieces should be enlarged to 150% before cutting). " Trace them on to your felt sheets and cut out. For the owl"s feathers, cut 1" squares, then cut diagonally to yield 10 triangles in one color and 13 triangles in a contrasting color.
Steps 3: Fold your rectangle piece in half (right side up) and arrange the felt pieces on the calico section. Step 4: Pin the body to the fabric and sew around the top and sides only; embroider the bottom with a running stitch Step 5: Layer your felt pieces (curved triangles over the main body, wing tips over wings) and then blanket stitch theses pieces including the head and feet onto the calico. Step 6 & 7: Now for the eyes and nose! Pink the the large circles then embroider them with a running stitch; cut a small triangle for the beak and attach the same way as the eyes. Center the small circles and sew on the buttons (I used wooden ones for a more rustic look) and blanket stitch around each small circle. Step 8: Owl feathers or triangles are arranged in 5 rows alternating in colors. Row 1 - 2 triangles/ Row 2 - 4 triangles/ Row 3 - 5 triangles/ Rows 4 & 5 - 6 triangles each. To attach, use a running stitch. Step 9: Embroider the letters to the muslin section using a running stitch.
*keep in mind that if you don't want to embroider, you can always use a glue gun!
Finishing
Step 10: Turn fabric so the right sides face each other. Leave a 1" opening on the right side of the fabric and sew around all the edges. Make sure to leave a 4" opening on the left side for turning. Clip the corners, then turn right side out and press flat. At the openings, press a 1/4" seam. Step 11: Edgestitch around the perimeter, making sure that the top sides have a 1" opening. Insert the dowel through the openings and tie twine to the ends of the dowel.
Now hang and enjoy your banner! If you have any questions about this tutorial, please feel free to contact me! Sue
