Whenever one of my kids’ birthdays rolls around, I like to hang up this simple, homemade birthday banner to remind all of us to celebrate that person during the week. Plus, it’s a pretty cute decoration, and one you can use for their entire childhood. It’s so simple to make you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.
This project DOES require a sewing machine, but don’t let that scare you off. I don’t really sew, and when I do, it’s only for things that require semi-straight lines. If I can do it, you can do it, too. Promise.
Here’s the supplies you’ll need:
– Paper Circles–pre-cut or cut with a die-cut machine–I cut mine out of scrapbook paper with a die-cut machine. I used 3 different sizes: 2 1/4 in., 1 1/2 in., 1 in.
– Alphabet Stencils
– Masking Tape
– Sewing Machine
Instructions
1. Cut out your circles. You should cut out enough to spell “Happy Birthday” with several extra to add length to the banner. You may want to make enough to spell out your family members’ names as well.
2. Using letter stencils, trace and color in each letter onto individual circles.
3. Arrange the circles in your preferred order onto a strip of masking tape, remembering to leave some blank circles (no letters) in the front and the end of your banner. (The masking tape will keep the paper circles together as you feed the circles through the sewing machine.) Line up the different-sized circles on the tape so that the thread runs near the tops of all the circles.
4. Carefully feed the line of circles through your sewing machine.
That’s it. Really.
I made three different banners, but you could make one long one, too.
5. I clipped my birthday banner to the curtains with mini clothespins.