If you decide not to work with a company, the best part of banner-making comes into play -- the satisfaction of working with your hands to make something beautiful! If you and others in your congregation are expert sewers and crafters, making your own banner can be a delightful and rewarding experience. Below, we'll explore the best banner-making materials and special tips designed to save you time and effort.
Church Banner Materials
Church banners can be made from just about anything, but some of the most popular materials include vinyl and cotton broadcloth. Weatherproof vinyl is great for outdoor events, and for those who choose to create their designs with computers and have them printed professionally. Cotton broadcloth is a excellent choice for the primary material for indoor banners, as its easy to work with and durable. Additionally, you might consider decorative materials such as:
- Velvet
- Rope braids
- Tassels
- Felt
- Glitter
- Fabric paints
- Sequins
- Plastic gemstones
Church Banner Making Tips
Finally, keep these helpful tips in mind when making your beautiful church banner.
Scissors: Buy a good pair designed specifically for cutting fabric. Try not to use them on paper, as this will dull the edges. Sharp shears will make your creation process much easier, and will result in a more polished final product.
Straight Letters: It's easy to make sure your letters are straight! Just use a dressmaker's tape, measuring straight down from the top to where you line of letters will start and end. Then, take your tape and pin it horizontally across those two points. Place your letters, remove your tape, and voila! Straight letters every time!
Time Savers: Fabric glue is a great time saver for trim, rope, and braids. Be sure to test your glue on a piece of scrap fabric first. Iron-on letters can also save you a good deal of time and work. When attaching gemstones, use glitter fabric paint for a quick fix. Allow some to show around the edges for a bit of extra shine.
Painting: It's generally best not to paint directly on the banner -- what happens if there's a spill, or if you just don't like the way your painting comes out? Instead, paint on a separate piece of fabric, then, when you're satisfied with result, sew that piece to the banner's backing.
Banner Storage: Folding is bad for banners! Instead, hang them in an out of the way place in a cloth cover, or roll them and store them in a cardboard tube in a cool, dry spot.
Banners add a festive note to any church or special occasion. Whether you're working with a banner-making company or making your own banner by hand with our special tips, remember that your effort is a labor of glorious love. Allow your creative to blossom in the service of your congregation!