Reversible Holiday WISH and New Years Banner

Oh yeah...I know it is almost 'THE BIG DAY" but after a trip to Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store, I am squeezing in one more craft - I just had to! This season, I have been a little slow in the holiday decorating department...in fact I planned on having a gingerbread man theme this year (and I usually don't do a theme)...but guess what...no gingerbread men.  So this WISH/NEW YEARS banner is perfectly festive for our minimal decor...

 but BETTER YET...this banner is reversible...

so you can use it for your New Years Celebration too!

You can be #fabulouslyfestive for weeks!

I know we are all short on time right now...so I will just cut to the craft! You can make this a sew or no sew project depending on your skill level or what you feel most comfortable with.

WISH version

2014 Version

Supplies (all from Jo-Ann)

• 1 yard of Burlap Flakes Lurex ($5.99/yard). You do not quite need the whole yard.
• 1 Yard of Natural Burlap
• Red Felt. I wanted something a little nicer than the regular craft felt, so I purchased this package of Feltables Felt made of 100% Recycled Fibers.
• Heat N Bond UltraHold
• White thread and needle
• 3 yards of 1 1/2" Rick Rack, Red (I used all but about 4")
• 3 yards 7/8" ribbon (for hanging banner). I used a 100%  7/8" cotton ribbon
• 7 Buttons, La Mode style #43228 (If you choose not to do the mini wreaths, you may want 14 buttons to put buttons on both sides of the banner)
• Optional: 7 Mini Wreaths (see Wreath Gift Topper Tutorial). You need Canadian Pine Stems and 1/8" ribbon or bakers twine.

Equipment:

• Sewing Machine OR Liquid Stitch or Fabric Fusion
• Iron and ironing board
• Scissors and/or seam ripper

Make It
To make this a NO SEW project, use the  Fabric Fusion in place of stitching. You can also simply glue down the wreaths if you choose.

Banner Pattern:
Prepare a banner pattern. Fold a piece of paper in half lengthwise; measure over from the fold 4.5"; along the fold measure down 12"; draw a (diagonal) line from the 4/5" point to the 12" point; cut out; you will have a 9" wide and 12" long triangle.

Banner Pieces:
Cut 6 banner pieces in natural burlap and cut 6 banner pieces in Burlap Flakes. I laid mine out on top of each other and cut them in pairs - and them kept them in pairs as I proceeded.

Sew the banner pieces:
Begin about 1" down from the top of the banner and stitch down to the point, then come back up. I used a zigzag stitch (just because I liked it) but a straight stitch works too. When you come back to the top, stop about 1" from the top. (you are leaving room to sandwich the ribbon).

Beginning about 30" in, sandwich the 7/8" ribbon between the banner pieces, butting each banner piece right up next to the other (Pin if necessary). Sew using a zigzag or straight stitch through all 6 banner pieces.

Place the large rick rack along the top edge of each side and pin into place. Use a straight stitch to sew the rick rack to the banner. You can swap out your thread to match or leave in in a contrast color.

Trim you banner pieces and all threads.

Prepare/Cut Letters:
I cut the letters (W-I-S-H AND 2-0-1-4) using my craft cutter, but you can easily print them and cut the letters out to make the pattern. I used font: IFC Railroad, 485pt. 5" tall)

NOTE: TO USE THIS BANNER YEAR AFTER YEAR, USE VELCRO ON THE LAST TWO DIGITS OF THE YEAR, SO YOU CAN SWAP THEM OUT!

Layout the Heat N Bond, smooth side up. FLIP the letters over (mirror image) and trace them onto the smooth backing of the Heat N Bond.

Preheat iron to medium heat (no steam); once the iron is ready, press the Heat N Bond to the felt. I line it up in a corner so that I get less waster and maximum use of my yardage. 

***Follow the package directions for the Heat N Bond and be sure to test a small piece of the heat and bond with your fabric first.***

Run the iron all over the paper liner, pausing for 2 seconds at a time to adhere the Heat N Bond of the felt. Because of the makeup of the felt, I went over the area multiple times to ensure it bonded. Let cool.

Cut around the traced letters and numbers with sharp scissors.

TO ENSURE I HAD ALL OF MY LETTERS AND NUMBERS MATCHED UP CORRECTLY (BEFORE ADHERING THEM TO THE BANNER PIECES), I SEWED THE BANNER TO THE RIBBON FIRST. It would be super easy to have WISH or 2014 be backwards if you are not careful.

Lettering:
With the natural burlap piece up, lay the WISH out, leaving one empty piece on each end.
Peel the paper backing off of the letters, place on the banner (about 3" down from the top), Press the letters into place.
Flip over and on the Flakes side repeat the process with the 2014 

Almost done....Embellish
On the Flakes Lurex side (2014), I sewed the Large red buttons on each end and between the letters. When you sew the buttons on, be careful not to go all the way through the layers of fabric (so that you do not see the stitches on the other side..or if you do not like the wreaths...you can do buttons on both sides and sew them on at the same time).

On the WISH side I made miniature wreaths and tied bows with bakers twine. At the base of the twine that is used to hang, I tied one knot, then tied another knot to make a loop to hook onto the button on the 2014 side (this make the wreaths removable). You can use the button to determine how big to tie the loop (about 1").

The finished look complete with greenery,

glittered pinecones, burlap candles and a few nutcrackers.

For more amazing holiday project ideas make sure you visit
the JoAnn Craft Catalog and Celebrate the Season 

 HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Here's a 50% off coupon to get you started! 

. This post is written and created at 504 Main by Holly Lefevre   disclosure: I was provided with a gift card to purchase supplies but the craft is original and my opinions are 100% my own.