Tuesday, June 21, 2011

DIY: Custom Linen Door Banner



Of all the handmade projects I did for my friend's baby shower, this one was one of my favorites.  It's SO easy, everyone can do it.  To make this door banner, you'll need a fragment of linen, a pack of Sharpies, and a wooden dowel.


I started with a design that I made on the computer.  I used Adobe Illustrator, but you could use any program (including the basic, boring Microsoft Word).





Since I can't print out a sheet of paper measuring 26 x 18 inches on my tiny home printer, I printed my design in "tiles".  Then, I taped each sheet of paper to the window:



Next, cut a piece of linen to size (mine was 18 x 26 inches).  I used a fragment of ivory linen that I had laying around my office, but any simple fabric remnant will do. 



Layer the cut linen over your design and TRACE.  Yes, trace.  It's as simple as that!!!





I used these Sharpie markers.  Ultra-fine point is the best and will give you the most control on those fine fonts... also, I was thrilled to see how the pigment was absorbed by the linen.  The black was nice and dark, and the yellow was well saturated.  I had initially thought about painting the banner, but using Sharpies was about one thousand times easier.  And, much cleaner.




(picture taken after I had finished tracing the design, and before I had given this thing a good iron)




Next, you'll need to attach your banner to a hanging dowel.  I purchased mine at this fine establishment:



where, clearly, everything's $1.00



including this plastic flag, which was attached to lovely wooden hanging dowel:




I kindly removed the flag, and using fabric glue (I like Fabri-Tac), glued the top edge of the banner to the dowel.  Then, I rolled the fabric over the glue line for about 1 inch (to hide the messy glue and create a clean look).





You're done!




It doesn't get any easier.

Wouldn't this be a fun little project for birthday parties?


...

*first image and last two images, courtesy of Amanda Bevington Modern Photography*


13 comments:

  1. This is such a great idea. It's the kind of small detail that makes everything more special. "I kindly removed the flag ...." Too funny!

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  2. So cute and easy! I never would have guessed that you traced it! I'll have to try this for my baby boy's 1st birthday.

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  3. This is so inspiring! Makes me want to go out and make something...

    Love your blog!
    Challie
    http://cts861.blogspot.com/

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  4. The most amazing idea I will pass on to my brides. I love your blog all the way over the pond in the UK. I have a vintage styling site so always on the look out for new ideas. Thank you x

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  5. Do you mind telling me what fonts you used for this?

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  6. love this! can you please tell me what type of yellow streamer you used and where you got it?! love how you used it throughout the shower decor. thanks!

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  7. love this! can you please tell me what type of yellow streamer you used and where you got it?! love how you used it throughout the shower decor. thanks!

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  8. I love everything about this baby shower. Where did you find the graphic of the bee? I've been looking for something to use for an invitation and all I can find are really cartoony ones. Thanks!

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  9. I love everything about this shower! Where did you find the graphic of the bee?

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  10. I love this! I decided to make one for my shower too...I am not coordinated enough to print the tiles (technologically coordinated) so I had an "engineer print" made at Staples 18"X24" for $1.79!! Best two dolars I ever spent!

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  11. Fabulous ideas! What a great blog?! I am actually working on this for my girlfriend's baby shower. Can you tell me how exactly you printed this off in "tiles"? I am sure it's something simple that I am missing. Thanks!!

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  12. Thanks for the comments, everyone! To answer a few questions...

    - the Bumble Bee image was found in the database of clipart that came with my Adobe Illustrator software. But, you could use any type of clipart. So easy.

    - I can't remember how I printed the banner in tiles, but I know it was an option in my printing preferences. I used Illustrator, so there might be more options than Microsoft Word, but check out the preferences. There's probably a "tile" option. And, if all else fails, take the file to Staples and have it printed on large paper for a couple of dollars.

    - I bought the yellow fabric ribbon at a flea market for $1.00. Now that it's gone, I WISH I COULD BUY MORE. It was fabulous.

    Hope this helps!

    xx
    Kelly

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