Welcome to…. Decorative Paper {Pennant, Garland, Flag, Bunting} Banner-Making 101*

By the time you complete this easy DIY tutorial, you should have a lovely pennant banner to grace your wall or mantel.

Are you ready?  Let’s start!

 

Easy Banner Tutorial - Hymn Page Paper Flag Pennants - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

For way too long I have been admiring the lovely pennant banners that grace walls, mantels, porches, windows, and more.  I wanted a lovely flag garland to drape somewhere in my home, but I needed a pattern, a how-to.  One day the desire overcame the need for a how-to and I created my own lovely pennant flag banner.  Keep in mind that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I’m beholding mine and I’m loving it.

 

Vintage Window Pennant Flag Garland - The Tutorial - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

This banner was sooo easy to make that I knew I needed to share the steps with you.   There is no need for any fancy equipment.  Well, there is one handy-dandy tool that makes the work a ton easier. …and it is a minute fraction of the cost of a Silhouette machine.  It’s a simple paper-cutter.  The one I use is a Fiskars paper trimmer .  They are available in craft stores everywhere.  But, if you’re like me and have to drive to TimBuckToo every time you need something, you can get yours here.

Okay…let’s begin.   Gather the following necessary supplies:

  • Paper cutter (Fiskars paper trimmer) or Scissors
  • Hymn book pages (or any book pages)
  • Cardstock or heavy scrapbook paper in your choice of colors. Cut into 8.5″ x 5.5″ sized sheets
  • String or hemp or jute
  • Paper glue or glue stick
  • Paper punch (Crop-A-Dile)

Today we are making a layered pennant using colorful cardstock and pages from a vintage hymnal.

 

Banner Tutorial - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

I created two samples before deciding on the banner design that would be best for my vintage window.  You may choose to do the same.  As I put together my theme I wanted to use old hymn music pages.  With another theme, old book pages would be great too.  In this case, color behind the page made it stand out a bit more over the window.  In the end it made it easier too.  Whatever you do, have fun being creative.

 

Flag Banner Tutorial 1 - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 Step 1: Trim the music page.  To do this I trimmed off some of the margin on both sides of the music. Making sure to keep it centered. You’ll notice that I used the 5″ marker line as my guide so all the pages would be the same width and fit nicely within the 8.5″ x 5.5″ cardstock that I pre-cut.

Hymn book page pennant banner tutorial :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

Step 2:  Trim off the top.  Notice the cutting gutter of the paper-cutter?  I used that as my guide and usually trimmed at or below the author’s name.

 

Paper Banner Tutorial 3 - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

Step 3: Rotating the page, trim the bottom to just below the musical notes.  Eyeball it and try to have some consistency from page to page.  If you wish you can measure from the top to the bottom before cutting the bottom off to ensure uniformity.

 

Hymn Page Banner Flag Tutorial 5 - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 Step 4: Fold your music page in half – lengthwise.  Make a light score with your fingers at the very bottom tip of the page.

 

Paper Flag Pennant Tutorial 6 - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

Step 5:  Lay the cut and scored page on your paper-cutter with the center of the score in the top gutter of the paper-cutter.

Step 6:  Center one of the top corners in the gutter as well.

Step 7:  Trim this side of the page with your cutter.

Step 8: Repeat for the other side.  Now you have your triangle or flag.

 

Gluing Flag Banner - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

Step 9:  Using some paper glue, lightly run the glue around on the backside of your paper.  Be sure to get all the corners.

 

Banner Flag Tutorial 7 - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

Step 10: Center the glued sheet in the middle of the cardstock making sure to leave a fairly equal margin at the top and corners, as shown.

Flag Pennant Tutorial 9 - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

Step 11:  Trim away the excess cardstock/backing paper.   Here I used the paper cutter’s guide as shown here so that my cuts would be uniform without measuring.

 

Flag Pennants Tutorial 10 - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

Step 12:  Admire your pennants and note that they may not all be exactly the same size.  Miss Persnickity says it’s okay.  You cannot tell once they are hung.

 

Paper Banner Tutorial 11 - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

Step 14:  Using your paper punch or Crop-A-Dile, punch a hole in the top corners of your pennants as shown here.

Step 15:  Thread your string, hemp, or jute through the punched holes.  Note: the size of  your punched hole is dependent on the size of your string.  This is one reason I like the Crop-A-Dile…it has 2 punch sizes in one tool.  Plus if you want to get all fancy schmancy you can also put grommets in your threading holes with this tool.

 

Fun paper pennant flag : AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

Step 16.  Hang your lovely new and very extraordinary….Decorative Paper {Pennant, Garland, Flag, Bunting} Banner. Now wasn’t that easy?   If you are interested in the birds….well…I am trying to figure out how to make the pattern available to you. Also…a few have requested a tutorial on the wreath.  Let me see what I can do.  In the meantime thanks for your patience with me.

*NOTE: The reason I’ve given this such a long name is because it appears that garlands, or buntings, or banners, like this, have quite an assortment names.  So…in fairness…I think I’ve used them all.  If I’ve missed any, let me know.  And if YOU know the truly proper name for these flags hanging on a string.  I’d be delighted know.  

If you make a pennant flag banner, would you take a picture of it and post it on An Extraordinary Day on Facebook.  I can’t wait to see your handiwork…and others will too.

Be Extraordinary!

Diane

Colorful Paper Garland and Milk Glass

Colorful Spring Garland and Mantel

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Comments

  1. Mel says

    Okay…LOL. You have taken away every excuse when you narrowed it down to a paper punch and a cutting board! To top it off March IS National Craft Month….so I shall dig out STUFF and blame you. LOL. It’s a good thing though. And it will give me something to keep me out of trouble. 😉 Ohhhh….and I sooooo need to keep me outta trouble! LOL

    • Diane says

      March is National Craft Month? Oh my…guess that means we both need to get crafty. heehee. These really are easy to do. You might end up with them strung all over the house. 😉

  2. this is so, so pretty! what a wonderful tutorial, diane! thanks so much for sharing. i love the sweet birds! 🙂

    • Diane says

      Thank you Jennifer…hoping I can figure out how to give the pattern for the birds as I am not that technically savvy. ;/

  3. This is so sweet! Love it!! Nicely done 😉

    • Diane says

      You are so kind Brenda! Thank you! 🙂
      Hope your weekend is Extraordinary!

  4. Very pretty–I love seeing sheet music in unexpected places 🙂

    • Diane says

      Awww…thank you sooo much Steph!
      Hope your weekend is extraordinary!

  5. my two favorite things….banners and birds! I need this for my kitchen! Thanks for the inspiration and tutorial!

    • Diane says

      You are so welcome, Melissa! I’m thrilled that you love it. Hope you have fun creating your own lovely version too!
      Blessings!

  6. Hi Diane, Your banner is so sweet – perfect for Spring. I have started a new party called ‘Saturday Sparks’ and would love to have you join if you have a chance.
    Thanks for the inspiration,
    Suzanne
    Pieced Pastimes

    • Diane says

      Awww…thanks Suzanne! And thank you for your warm invitation as well. [hugs]

  7. That is adorable for spring! Love the music and birds!

    • Diane says

      You are so sweet to say that, Kathy! Thank you! Spring is on her way… Yay!!

  8. So adorable! I love the birds with the sheet music. Great tutorial, too. Thank you so much for sharing at A Bouquet of Talent!! 🙂
    Hugs
    Kathy

    • Diane says

      You laugh knowing it was inspired by the birds starting to sing in the morning. They just made my day. Didn’t realize how much I’d missed them.
      Thank you for you encouraging words, Kathy!

  9. What a fantastic tutorial. Love the banner and the birds. Thanks for sharing at Silver Pennies Sundays. x

    • Diane says

      You are so sweet to say that. Thank you Danielle!!

  10. Thank you so much for linking up to ITS PARTY TIME! I love your banner — it’s adorable! Sharing on Facebook later today. HUGS – Clydia @ Three Mango Seeds

  11. Your banner is so cute.

    • Diane says

      And you are so thoughtful to stop by and leave a kind word.
      Blessings!

  12. Thanks so much for this fab tutorial. I think you garland is the cutest. I love Easter!

    hugs x
    Crystelle

    • Diane says

      I’m so happy that you are finding it helpful. So often you’ll find a pattern…but patterns sometimes are difficult to print out, etc. And this is super easy.
      Thank you for taking the time to stop by Crystelle!
      May your week be extraordinary!

  13. Super cute decoration banner!! Our readers love cute and easy. We are starting a link up party on Thursdays (today:), and we would love for you to join us with this post and/or any others you would like to include. We are at allthingswithpurpose.com. Hope to see you there!!

    • Diane says

      That’s so nice of you to say that! 🙂
      Hope your week is extraordinary!

  14. I’ve been admiring all the banners and thinking I should make one too! I absolutely love how you used music! So lovely for spring with the birds! Maybe I’ll finally make one soon…using your great tutorial!

    • Diane says

      I’m so glad you will be able to use the tutorial Katherine!
      Thank you for stopping by and taking time to leave your kind thoughts.
      Hope your day is Extraordinary!

  15. This is really sweet! I love the music notes. Thanks so much for sharing 🙂

    • Diane says

      Thank you Taryn!! It was fun to do and puts a smile on my face every time I look at it.
      Wishing you an extraordinary weekend!!

  16. Very cute. thank you for sharing the tutorial at TTF.

    • Diane says

      🙂 My pleasure…thanks for being such a lovely hostess.

  17. also cute!

  18. I saw this featured on A Bouquet of Talent and had to come see! Absolutely wonderful! PINNED!

    And yes, I would love to have the bird template! 😉

    So glad I found you-

    Joy@ Yesterfood.blogspot.com

    • Diane says

      Thank you Joy!!
      It’s up my sleeve….gotta get cracking on the ‘finished’ tut!
      Hope your weekend is extraordinary!

  19. Heather says

    This is such an inspired Spring creation. I would love to make this into a craft for a group of G3 girls this Tuesday afternoon… G3 stands for “Girls for God’s Glory.” I happen to already have some old hymnals, twine and a paper cutter, but any templates and/or help that you could provide on the how-to of the birds (possibly within the next day so?) would be so greatly appreciated. Blessings, Heather

    • Heather says

      Sorry – the picture is of my husband :/ Sorry for the confusion! He is very cute though… 🙂

    • Diane says

      Heather…I am trying to figure out how to do the bird template. What do you think if I took a photo of it and then you (anyone) could save it as a jpeg and then size it according to their need?

  20. Dianne says

    Hi, I have been looking for a tutorial on the wreath in this post. Did I miss it somewhere??? Would love to make one for my door. thanks.

    • Diane says

      I’m sorry Dianne….I never even gave the wreath a thought. It is a wreath that evolves and I have been using it in a different way for the past year. But…I can do that. Thank you for asking. And thank you for the compliment!
      Hope your weekend is extraordinary!

  21. Kathy says

    This is really adorable! Love the combination of the textured pages along with the text pages – beautifully done. I do appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

    • Diane says

      Thanks for your sweet words, Kathy, and for noticing the details. I actually had a gal contact me to make one for her. Something I’ve never done before, but it is very affirming too.
      Hope your week is Extraordinary!

  22. Your banner is adorable! Thank you for sharing it at What We Accomplished Wednesdays. Have a great weekend!

    Hugs,
    Deborah

    • Diane says

      Thank you Deborah!! It puts a smile on my face whenever I walk past it!
      Hope your day is extraordinary!

  23. Becky says

    This may be a silly question, but do the pennants not move once they are strung on the string and hung up? I need to make one for my son’s graduation party, but it looks like there is nothing keeping the pennants in place. I love the S I N G cut outs! Very cute too!

    • Diane says

      Becky….there is NEVER a silly question. And the answer…no, they do not move. I’m sure if the wind were blowing them they might move. But, the cotton string has a wee bit texture to it and I think that’s why they don’t move. Have fun making yours! And thanks for the warm remarks.

      Best wishes for an Extraordinary party!!

Trackbacks

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