Tutorial: no-sew triangle pennant banners with kids

I'm gearing up to run that make-and-take craft booth at the North Idaho Fair tomorrow. Basically that means my hands ache from cutting, cutting, cutting fabric and my head aches from trying to remember everything I need to bring.

The easiest of the three crafts we'll be doing is the triangle/pennant/birthday/circus banner/garland (or whatever you want to call it), so I'm hoping the littlest kids will enjoy this one. Plus, I think the finished product comes out pretty well. Definitely something you could hang above a child's bed or use at a birthday party. Big impact. Minimal effort.

I posted a tutorial for a sewn birthday banner several months ago. This is a no-sew version. 

Just to prove how easy it is, here's Bo (age 4) putting one together this morning.

And then quite thrilled by her results:

She insisted on draping it across the rooster, as if there isn't enough going on in that corner already.

Some of these steps might need to be done ahead of time by you, depending on the child's age.

By the way, all the fabrics you see here (and the cord!) were found at thrift shops. Most were originally sheets or shirts and were purchased for a fraction of what yardage costs at a fabric store. You could probably even cut up some of your own old clothes for this project.

Enjoy! 

You will need: fabric, pinking shears, glue (Elmer's is fine), a disappearing-ink pen or chalk, cardstock or an empty cereal box, and either string, twine, bias tape or yarn.

1. Cut out a triangle template from a cereal box or cardstock. Mine is 7 inches across the top and 9 1/2 inches down the sides.

2. Fold a piece of fabric so that it's overlapped by 9 1/2 inches. Place the triangle template's 7-inch side on the fold. Trace around the triangle with the disappearing-ink pen or chalk. Cut along the lines. You should have just cut a diamond shape (once you unfold the fabric).

3. Repeat several times, depending on how long you want the garland to be.

4. Cut your cord (or twine or yarn or bias tape or string) as long as you would like the garland to be.

5. Place the diamonds where you want them along the cord with about two inches between each diamond.

6. Sandwich the cord inside the diamonds, folding the diamonds so that you form a triangle again. The "right sides" of the fabric should face out.

7. Unfold each diamond one at a time and place glue inside, along the three sides of one of the triangles. Press down to seal the triangles shut.

8. Repeat the steps until all triangles are glued to the cord.

9. Allow to dry, then hang wherever you want to add a bit of festivity.

P.S. A few things I'm loving right now:

-Tutorial on making a wall-mounted deer head out of foam core. Squeal!! I cannot wait to do this.

-Tutorial on making a ruffled girl skirt out of an old T-shirt by Epicurean Style. Super cute.

-This camping activity blanket. My girls would go bonkers for it.

-Tutorial on making a cake stand out of log cross sections. I wanted to do something like this last year for Magpie's woodland birthday party. And now I know how.

Comments

[Meegan]

I just found your blog and I love it. Such great ideas! I'm from Spokane, too. You can bet I'll bookmark your site!

[emily]

Hey that's a nice compliment! I am loving the fun links you added at the end of this. I think I'm going to try the ruffle skirt...someday.

[Megan]

Thanks, guys!

Meegan--I assume we pronounce our names the same way based on your spelling, so we have that in common, too!

Emily--you're a sewing pro now so you have to make that skirt.

[entertainment]

Its really good to see this blog,you have nice information about kids party.Images here are also good.I got valuable links. I will like too see this blog again.

[Joanna Briones]

Hi Meegan,
It's Joanna Wight, remember me??? I ran into your mom and it was funny because I was just thinking about you. Nice to see you on here I just thought I would say HI :)

[Megan]

Joanna!!! How are you?! So you're in Bellingham? It's GREAT to hear from you. How is your family? Does your mom still work at the fabric store? Take care!!

[Retro Jordans]

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[Holly]

I just came across your site, and love this no-sew tutorial (because I can't sew!). In the photo of the banner hung across the rooster, there is a book holder on the wall. I would love to know- did you make it, and if so... how? Thanks!

[Megan]

Thanks, Holly!
Yes, that's my little invention ... the "book sling." Here's the regular tutorial for it:
http://pennycarnival.typepad.com/penny_carnival/2009/02/tutorial-hanging-book-display.html
But since you don't sew, check out this other link. FamilyFun magazine ran an article showing how to make a no-sew version:
http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/book-sling-919473/

[erin]

Thank you so much for this. I don't sew and really wanted to make one for my girls birthday. :)

[Amy Keffer]

Love this idea, especially since I"m not blessed with the crafty gene. I'm thinking of making a banner like this out of the iconic outfits both my girls have worn through infancy and toddlerhood... the ones that are too stained or worn to pass on to someone else but of which I have such fond memories. {{cue maternal sniffling}}

[marketing]

HI
Great post! and incredible blog ! Very helpful post! I must say. Simple & interesting. Wonderful work!
thank you!

[Digital Printing Fabric]

These are getting more popular by the day, and I can't blame anyone. It's great, the general design is always appealing to most people and it sends quite a message. And having it being so easy to design is not such a bad thing.

[Sara]

Hi I love this!! I had a question...did you use a certain kind of glue or would hot glue work??

[Megan]

Hi, Sara. Hmm ... I just used regular old white Elmer's glue. I think hot glue would be harder to work with because you're pressing down on the fabric to seal both sides together. I don't want you to burn your fingers! But if you try it with hot glue, let me know.

[Megan]

Oh, funny. I just looked back at the pictures and it was Elmer's blue gel glue, not white glue. But I've used white glue before, too. Both work fine. The gel kind is sold in the same aisle as the white stuff. Either way. ;)