diy banner

For this long time I have struggled to make something I really like as a baby gift for a little boy, but when I had the idea for this banner, I knew it was something I was going to love both making and giving.

I love all things natural and the combination of a natural weave with a fleck running through it, the driftwood and the hessian string all added a gorgeous contrast with the vintage leather I used for the name.

I decided to write this tutorial after I had made it so there are no…’how to’ photos ( I may add them later if folk would like a more detailed glimpse of the process).

You’ll need:

Fabric || leather or contrasting fabric for lettering || leather needles || driftwood || string

// Decide on a size for your banner. I cut a stencil from card and used this to then cut 2 pieces from the plain fabric.

// Cut out your lettering for your name and sew it onto the fabric using a leather needle on your machine. These can be bought at any haberdashery or online. I quite liked the quirkiness of free handed lettering but if you want to be more precise use a letter stencil or print out your text and use that as a guide when cutting.

// Place the two pieces of fabric right sides together and sew along the edges and point, leaving the top straight edge open.

// Press along the edges of the banner so it will lie flat.

// Roll the top over twice, as you would a hem, leaving enough room for your driftwood to slide through.

// Top stitch along the bottom edge of this hem.

// Slide the driftwood into place and knot your hessian string to each end.