Sew a Happy Banner
I finally made a tutorial and a pattern for something I’ve been making for two decades! I first made a birthday banner when my kids were babies and we’ve gotten it out and hung it up for every birthday since, adults and friends included — if we celebrate any birthday at our place, we hang up the birthday banner!
I created a video tutorial for this project, which you can watch on YouTube, AND I made a pattern, which you can buy in my shop right now. It includes three different flag styles and the entire alphabet, plus step by step instructions with photos.
Learn to sew fabric banners with words using this beginner friendly PDF sewing pattern. This pattern includes three different styles of flags, each measuring about 6" x 8", an alphabet template, plus step by step instructions with photos.
The banner above is the one I made all those years ago and that we still use! I tried to make it very fun and gender neutral. It still makes me happy to look at it. And as proof we still use it, here’s a picture of it on my daughter’s 19th birthday in January.
My oldest daughter Natalie is getting married this year and asked for a birthday banner of her own. I was happy to oblige! Her aesthetic is more demure than mine, so I chose colors and fabrics that she would like.
Of course, you can use this pattern to make any words you want. I made another one for my great nephew with his name on it and it turned out so cute! Also, since it had fewer letters, it was much quicker than a birthday banner.
A note about the letters
When you applique letters onto a project like this, remember to trace them onto fusible web backwards! The pattern I created includes letters that are already reversed, but if you’re making your own or using letter stencils, this is important to know.
Also, if you’re new to applique, the pattern has the entire process for you, and you can also watch the video if you need more visual instruction.
I hope you love this project and I can’t wait to see what banners you create!
Cheers and Happy Sewing :)
Nikki