Felt Birthday Banner

Baby Bear doesn't turn one for a few more months, but I loved this project idea and wanted to get a head start on it. If you are a Pinterester, you've probably seen a bunch of bunting ideas. I really like bunting, but I don't have anywhere to put it, so this birthday banner seemed liked a great outlet for my crafting bug. I used leftover felt from the quiet book project and some leftover ribbon from hair bows. The genius hubster suggested that I put velcro on the letters so that they can be removed and I can make more letters to spell out other things if I want. There are 14 flags, so anything that is 14 letters or less can be made too!

Felt Birthday Banner
Materials:
- Felt (I used scraps that were the equivalent of about 10 full sheets of felt)
- 10 ft piece of ribbon
- Tacky glue
- Velcro
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Fabric marker
- Stop Fray (optional)


Instructions:
1. Measure and cut out triangles out of the felt that are 6 inches wide at the base and 9 inches long. I measured a straight line from the center of the base to 9 inches (the point of the triangle), marked the point, then drew the sides with the ruler. Cut out 14 of these triangles, any colors you desire.


                                                 

2. Lay the triangles out in a line, points down, corners overlapping about 1/4-1/2 inch. Sew the corners of each triangle to the triangle next to it. You should have a long banner of connected triangles when you are done with this step.

3. Turn a piece of 10 ft. ribbon over so that the printed or decorated "front" side is facing down. Carefully spread about 6 inches of glue on the backside of the ribbon, then lay the first triangle base onto it, pressing down and smoothing out gently. Leave about 1/8 inch space between the base of the triangle and the edge of the ribbon at the top so that the felt won't show over the top of the ribbon. Repeat this until all of the triangles are attached to the ribbon. Let dry for at least an hour. This is also a good time to treat the ends of the ribbon with Stop Fray so that they won't fray over time. 

4. Cut 13 3" x 4" rectangles out of black felt (or whatever color you choose). Cut the letters for "Happy Birthday" out of the rectangles, one letter per rectangle. 

5. Turn the dry banner over and attach velcro to the back of the letters, then stick the letters onto the triangles to spell out the words, leaving one triangle empty in between "Happy" and "Birthday". 

6. Tie bows in the leftover ribbon ends if desired.