Add Some Handmade to Your Holiday Banners

Hi AccuQuilt Friends! It's me, Melissa Corry from Happy Quilting and today I am so excited to share a few holiday banner projects I created using the new AccuQuilt GO! Pennant Die (55149). All use strip piecing and appliqué embellishments which are great ways to add color and fun to the basic pennant banner. These banners are so fun to make and go together pretty fast. They are a great way to add a little handmade to your holiday decor. :)

Download the GO! Confetti Pennants Banner here. Read on to see how to make even more creative holiday styles!

I made a Halloween Banner, a Spring Banner, and a 4th of July Banner, and came up with some fun ways to use those basic pennant shapes to create something a little different, new and exciting. But of course, those are just the start. The possibilities with this GO! Pennant Die really are endless. I hope you really enjoy these tutorials, but also, that they will get your creative juices flowing so you can make your own ideas as well!

Halloween Pennants

So let's get started with the Halloween banner. How cute are those candy corns, right? And this banner not only uses the brand new GO! Pennant Die but it also uses another brand new die: the GO! Halloween Medley Die (55192) for the appliqué. How fun is that?

YOU WILL NEED:

• AccuQuilt GO! Fabric Cutter
• AccuQuilt GO! Pennant Die (55149)
• GO! Cutting Mat 6" x 24"
• AccuQuilt GO! Halloween Medley Die (55192)
• GO! Cutting Mat 6" x 12" (255112)
• ½ Yard of White Solid
• ⅙ Yard of Black Solid
• ⅛ Yard of Orange Solid
• ⅛ Yard of Yellow Solid
• Heat N Bond Light

STEP 1: Cutting & Strip Piecing

Start by cutting the yardage solids into the following Width of Fabric Strips.

Now, layout the three 2¾" x WOF strips in the following color order. We will not strip piece them together. Strip piecing simply means you are sewing strings together along the long side of the strip to be sub-cut into something smaller. And you don't have to worry if your ends don't line up as you will be sub-cutting.

Also, since you are going to be sub-cutting, you want to be sure and always use a smaller stitch length when you are strip piecing. I like to use about 1.7. When you have your three strips pieced together press the seams open.

Then go back to your cutting mat and cut the strip pieced 7¼" x WOF unit into two rectangles, each measuring 7¼" x 21". To do this, simply fold the unit in half, trim the folded end as close to the fold as possible and then cut the open end to 21" which will cut off the uneven selvage ends as shown. Also, cut the 7½" x WOF white solid strip into two pieces each 7½" x 21" using the same method.

Now get out your AccuQuilt GO! Fabric Cutter and the AccuQuilt GO! Pennant Die. Fold your strip pieced rectangle in half once and then in half again. This will be four layers. Place the folded unit onto the triangle pennant with the white part of the strip piecing on the point of the triangle. Cut out your die.

Repeat this for the other strip pieced rectangle and the two white solid rectangles so you have a total of 8 strip pieced triangle pennants and 8 white solid triangle pennants.

STEP 2: Stitching the Pennants

And with that, you are ready to start piecing your pennants. Align a strip pieced pennant and a white solid pennant with right sides together and pin it in place. Trim ½" off the top point of the two pinned pennants.

Starting on the bottom left hand side, stitch ¼" from the edge, leaving a gap at the bottom for turning as shown. Be sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of your stitching.

Now, turn your pennant right side out through the opening. Use a pointer tool to press the corners out and make them nice and sharp. Then turn the opening raw edges under and press the pennant flat.

Now to finish the pennant off, you want to stitch ⅛" top stitch around the entire edge of the pennant. Start at the point and backstitch, this won't be shown as it will be tucked into the banner. Stitch all the way around the pennant which will close the opening that was left, and then backstitch again at the end.

Repeat this process for all 8 of your Candy Corn Pennants.

STEP 3: Adding Appliqué

And now you are ready to embellish your pennants with some fun appliqué! I love machine appliqué, it is such a fun and easy way to add flair to any project. I will be going over the appliqué step by step, but if you are new to appliqué or just want a little extra help, you can see my Appliqué Basics Video for all the details you will ever need to know about machine appliqué. ;)

So, to start, cut your black solid fabric into eight 5" squares and cut eight 5" squares from your Heat N Bond as well. Then using the manufacturers directions, apply the Heat N Bond to the wrong side of your fabric squares. (And if it says dry iron, it really means dry iron.) When cool, remove the paper backing.

Now once again, get out your AccuQuilt GO! Fabric Cutter and this time grab your AccuQuilt GO! Halloween Medley Die. Place four prepared black squares on the witches hat part of the die with the fabric wrong side up, as in the Heat N Bond is on top.

Cut out four witches hat's and then use the remaining four squares to cut out four ghosts.

Now back to the ironing board, center your appliqués onto the candy corn pennants and press them to adhere the Heat N Bond. It's okay that the appliqué hangs off the edge, that just gives it more character :)

Now you want to secure stitch your appliqué in place. I like to use a blanket stitch when doing machine appliqué, but you can also choose from a raw edge straight stitch or a zig-zag stitch. Start at the bottom of the appliqué and be sure and backstitch a stitch or two to keep your stitching from coming out. Stitch all the way around the appliqué and backstitch at the end as well.

When you get to the part of the appliqué that is hanging over, I just like to continue stitching and just be sure to keep the edge of my appliqué right next to my needle.

But that can be a tiny bit tricky, so if that is giving you grief, simply slide a piece of paper under the appliqué to use as a stabilizer and then when you are finished stitching, tear away the paper.

Stitch all eight of your embellished candy corn pennants and then you are ready to make the banner!

STEP 4: Making the Banner

To start the banner, you need to first make your binding strip. To do this, grab two 2½" x WOF white strips. Sew the two strips together at a 90 degree angle. Press that seam open. Then press the entire strip in half as shown.

Now, open the strip, and press the top to the center fold and the bottom to the center fold as well. Take care not to press the center fold flat as you will be folding the entire strip in half and pressing it flat to finish it.

Now with your strip made and pressed, you are ready to add your candy corn pennants. Start in the center of the strip and tuck a candy corn pennant into the binding strip and pin or clip in place. Add the candy corn pennants moving outward giving 5½" between pennants and alternating between the ghosts and witches hats. Lastly, tuck the raw edge of the beginning and end of the strip in and pin or clip in place.

Now we are simply going to stitch the binding strip closed, tacking all of the Candy Corn Pennants in place. Start at the end of the strip and stitch ⅛" from the open edge. Be sure to backstitch at the beginning.

Continue stitching ⅛" from the edge. You will stitch right over the candy corn pennants securing them in place in the banner. When you get to the end of the strip, backstitch a few stitches.

And just like that, you have an adorable candy corn pennant for your Halloween celebration! How fun is that!?

Spring Banner

So now that you have the general idea of how to make these super fun strip pieced banners, how about we switch things up to Spring!!! And these instructions are going to be a little more general, mainly focusing on where this tutorial differs from the Halloween one, so if you need a little more detail on how to do a step, just refer back :)

YOU WILL NEED:

• AccuQuilt GO! Fabric Cutter
• AccuQuilt GO! Pennant Die
• GO! Cutting Mat 6" x 24"
• AccuQuilt GO! Carefree Alphabet Die Set
• GO! Cutting Mat 10" x 24"
• AccuQuilt GO! Rose of Sharon #2 by Sharon Pederson Die
• GO! Cutting Mat 10" x 10"
• ¼ Yard of White Solid
• ¼ Yard of Light Green Solid
• ⅙ Yard of Light Red Solid
• ⅛ Yard of Light Pink Solid
• ⅛ Yard of Light Yellow Solid
• ⅛ Yard of Light Purple Solid
• ⅛ Yard of Light Blue Solid
• Heat N Bond Light

STEP 1: CUTTING & STRIP PIECING

Start by cutting the yardage solids into the following Width of Fabric strips and pieces.

Strip piece the four 2 ¼" x WOF strips in any rainbow order you like. Then cut the strip pieced 7½" x WOF unit into two rectangles each measuring 7½" x 21" Also, cut the 7½" x WOF white solid strip into two pieces each 7½" x 21".

Now you will be using your AccuQuilt GO! Fabric Cutter and the AccuQuilt GO! Pennant Die. Fold your strip pieced rectangle in half twice and place it on the swallowtail pennant shape in the center. Run the die through your cutter.

Repeat to make a total of eight strip pieced pennants and eight white solid pennants.

STEP 2: Stitching the Pennants

And now it is time to stitch the pennants. Align a strip pieced pennant and a white solid pennant with right sides together and pin it in place. Starting on the top right hand side, stitch ¼" from the edge, leaving a gap at the top for turning as shown. Be sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of your stitching.

Now, turn your pennant right side out and press it flat, being sure to poke out the corners. Finish it by stitching a ⅛" top stitch around the entire edge of the pennant starting and ending at the top and backstitching to secure the top stitch. Repeat for all eight pennants.

STEP 3: Adding Appliqué

And now with all eight pennants stitched you are ready to move on to the appliqué. Start by preparing your appliqué fabric squares with Heat N Bond.

Now once again, get out your AccuQuilt GO! Fabric Cutter and this time grab your AccuQuilt GO! Rose of Sharon #2 by Sharon Pederson Die and AccuQuilt GO! Carefree Alphabet Die Set. You will be cutting eight flowers from the red squares, two center circles from the purple squares, and two petals each from the two green squares.

Then you can move to the letters. Cut one of each letters to spell SPRING and remember, be sure the fabric squares are wrong side up or Heat N Bond side up. Otherwise your letters will end up backwards. ;)

Now adhere your flowers to the center of each of your eight rainbow pennants and secure stitch them in place, taking care to backstitch.

Once the flowers are in place and stitched down, you can then adhere the letters and flower details to the center of the flower appliqués. Adhere them in place and then secure stitch them. And be sure on the letters with cut-outs in the center to also secure stitch those raw edges in place.

STEP 4: Making the Banner

And with all eight of your rainbow pennants stitched, you are ready to make your banner. Prepare the binding strip using the two green solid 2½" x WOF strips.

Start in the center of the strip and tuck a rainbow pennant into the binding strip and pin or clip in place. Add the rainbow pennants moving outward giving 1½" between pennants and spelling out SPRING with flowers at the beginning and end. Lastly, tuck the raw edge of the beginning and end of the strip in and pin or clip in place.

Now stitch the binding strip closed using a ⅛" seam along the open edge being sure to backstitch at the beginning and end.

And just like that, you have an adorable rainbow pennant for the Spring season! How festive is that?!

4th of July Banner

And last, but certainly not least, let's go over the alterations you need to make this adorable 4th of July Bomb Pop banner! And again, I am keeping these instructions general, just focusing on the differences of this banner, so if you need a little more detail on how to do a step, just refer back. :)

YOU WILL NEED:

• AccuQuilt GO! Fabric Cutter
• AccuQuilt GO! Pennant Die
• GO! Cutting Mat 6" x 24"
• AccuQuilt GO! Carefree Alphabet Die Set
• GO! Cutting Mat 10" x 24"
• 1/3 Yard of White Solid
• ¼ Yard of Navy Solid
• ⅛ Yard of Red Solid
• ⅛ Yard of Light Blue Solid
• Heat N Bond Light
• 40" of Tan Grosgrain Ribbon 1" Wide

STEP 1: Cutting & Strip Piecing

Start by cutting the yardage solids into the following Width of Fabric strips and pieces.

Strip piece the three 2 3/4" x WOF strips as shown. Then cut the strip pieced 7 ¼" x WOF unit into two rectangles each measuring 7 ¼" x 21" Also, cut the 7½" x WOF white solid strip into two pieces each 7½" x 21".

Now you will be using your AccuQuilt GO! Fabric Cutter and the AccuQuilt GO! Pennant Die. Fold your strip pieced rectangle in half twice and place it on the circled pennant taking care to place the red at the curved end of the die. Cut out your die.

Repeat to make a total of eight strip pieced pennants and eight white solid pennants.

STEP 2: Stitching the Pennants

Now with our "popsicles" cut, we need to make some popsicle sticks. To do this, cut eight pieces of ribbon 5" long. Round one end of the ribbon and then apply fray check to the rounded edge to keep it crisp and clean.

Place a ribbon onto the right side of the pieced pennant aligning the straight edge with the bottom center of the pieced pennant. Pin the ribbon in place. Align a pinned ribbon strip pieced pennant and a white solid pennant with right sides together and pin it in place. Starting on the top right hand side, Stitch ¼" from the edge, leaving a gap at the top for turning as shown. Be sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of your stitching.

Now, turn your pennant right side out and press it flat, being sure to poke out the corners. Finish it by stitching a ⅛" top stitch around the entire edge of the pennant starting and ending at the top and backstitching to secure the top stitch. Repeat for all eight pennants.

STEP 3: Adding Appliqué

And now with all eight popsicle pennants stitched you are ready to move on to the appliqué. Start by preparing your appliqué fabric squares with Heat N Bond.

Now once again, get out your AccuQuilt GO! Fabric Cutter and this time grab your AccuQuilt GO! Carefree Alphabet Die Set. It is also helpful for the 4th cut outs if you have the AccuQuilt GO! Carefree Lowercase Alphabet Die Set and the AccuQuilt GO! Carefree Numbers Die. I didn't have these so I just cut the "4" and the "th" by hand. You will be cutting the HAPPY 4th from the navy squares and again, remember wrong side up so your letters don't end up backwards.

Then simply adhere the letters to the center of the popsicle pennants and secure stitch them. And be sure on the letters with cut-outs in the center to also secure stitch those raw edges in place.

STEP 4: Making the Pennants

And with all eight of your popsicle pennants stitched, you are ready to make your banner. Prepare the binding strip using the two navy solid 2½" x WOF strips. Pin or clip the popsicle pennants into the binding strip spelling out HAPPY 4th. Tuck the raw edge of the beginning and end of the strip in and pin or clip in place.

Now stitch the binding strip closed using a ⅛" seam along the open edge being sure to backstitch at the beginning and end.

And just like that, you have a super cute Popsicle Pennant for a festive 4th! How great is that!?

And that's how you make your Handmade Holiday Banners! But like I said in the beginning, don't stop with Halloween, Spring, and the 4th of July! :) Come up with your own amazing, creative banners using the AccuQuilt GO! Pennant Die! I hope you have enjoyed these tutorial and if you make your own banners, I would love to see them! Share it with us on social media with the hashtags #happyquiltingwithmc and #AccuQuilt and tag @happyquiltingmc and @AccuQuilt. We can't wait to see what you come up with!

I hope this tutorial has got you excited about making handmade banners for your home. Thank you to AccuQuilt for having me here. To see more of my Happy Quilting adventures, stop by Happy Quilting for a visit. I just love being able to share lots of quilting goodness on a daily basis. Have a very Happy Quilting Day!

- Melissa

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