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*