Burlap Banner Magic: Diy Wedding Décor

Burlap banners are a popular choice for weddings, with couples opting for variations such as Mr. & Mrs., Welcome, and Just Married. Making a mini burlap banner for a wedding is a simple task that can add a rustic charm to the decor. The process involves cutting out burlap into desired shapes, such as triangles or rectangles, and then decorating them with letters or images using stencils, paint, or glue. These individual pieces are then strung together using twine or yarn to create a personalised banner.

Choosing the right materials

Burlap:

The type of burlap you choose will impact the overall look and durability of your banner. You can opt for standard or natural burlap, which has a rustic appearance but may require more preparation to remove creases. Alternatively, white burlap offers a unique twist on the traditional option and may better suit your wedding colour scheme. If you're looking for something truly distinctive, experiment with other shades of burlap to match your wedding palette.

Twine:

When selecting twine, opt for a variety that is both durable and aesthetically pleasing. Jute twine, for instance, is a popular choice for its strength and natural appearance. Ensure you purchase enough twine to create your banner, with some extra for adjustments and securing it to your display area.

Paint:

White acrylic paint is a popular choice for creating letters or designs on your banner. It provides good coverage and stands out against the burlap. You can also experiment with other paint colours to match your wedding theme.

Letter Stencils:

Letter stencils are essential for creating clear, consistent letters on your banner. Choose a font that suits your wedding style—for instance, Poor Richard is a popular choice for a rustic wedding. Ensure your stencils are the right size to fit your burlap flags or pennants.

Glue:

A glue gun is a handy tool for securing the twine to your burlap flags. It provides a strong hold and dries quickly, making it ideal for last-minute DIY projects.

Scissors:

A good pair of sharp scissors will ensure you can cut your burlap and twine cleanly and precisely.

Printer and Printer Paper:

If you're creating your own letter stencils, you'll need a printer and printer paper. This allows you to print out letters in your chosen font and size, which you can then cut out using an X-ACTO knife.

Remember to select materials that align with your wedding theme and colour scheme, and don't be afraid to experiment with different options to create a unique mini burlap banner for your special day!

Cutting the burlap

Choosing the Right Burlap Material:

Start by selecting a suitable burlap fabric for your banner. You can opt for regular burlap, but keep in mind that it tends to fray when cut. An alternative is to use burlap ribbon, which frays less and can be easier to work with. The amount of burlap you need will depend on the size and number of pennants you plan to create.

Cutting the Burlap Ribbon:

To create a neat and consistent banner, it's important to cut the burlap accurately. Here's a simple technique to follow:

• Cut a piece of burlap ribbon twice as big as the size you want your triangle pennant to be.
• Fold the ribbon in half.
• Cut against the fold to create a triangle shape.
• Now you have a diamond shape that will serve as your template.
• Use this diamond template to cut out the rest of the pennants, ensuring they are all uniform in size.

Customizing the Pennant Size and Shape:

The great thing about burlap banners is that you can customize the size and shape of the pennants. If you prefer a different shape, feel free to cut the burlap into swallowtail, square, rectangle, or circle shapes. Adjust the size of the pennants to fit your desired word or message. For example, if you're creating a "Mr. & Mrs." banner, you might need six squares, each measuring 10 x 10 inches.

Ironing the Burlap:

If your burlap has creases, you might want to consider ironing it before proceeding. Set your iron to a high steam setting and carefully iron out the creases. Keep in mind that some creases may only come out after washing, drying, and additional ironing.

Stencilling and Painting:

Once you have your burlap pennants cut out, it's time to add your chosen text or design. You can use letter stencils and paint to create your desired message. For a rustic wedding banner, consider using white acrylic paint to make the letters stand out against the burlap. Allow the paint to dry completely before handling the pennants further.

Remember to plan out your design beforehand, ensuring you have enough pennants to spell out your chosen word(s) or message. With careful cutting and attention to detail, you'll be well on your way to creating a beautiful mini burlap banner for your wedding!

Adding letters

One option is to use a printer to print out letters in your chosen font and size. You can play around with different fonts until you find the right one for your banner. Once you have printed out the letters, cut them out carefully using a sharp craft knife. Next, you can attach the letters to your burlap squares using tape, and then paint over them with white acrylic paint. This method ensures that your letters are clear and solid.

Alternatively, you can use letter stencils and paint or sharpies to fill in the letters. You can also use a Silhouette to design graphics and then cut out the letters from Heat Transfer and iron them onto the burlap.

If you want to add a more sophisticated touch to your banner, consider using white lace. You can also experiment with different colours of burlap, such as white, or add decorations like ribbons, buttons, and fabric flowers.

Stringing the banner

Now that you have your letters stencilled onto your burlap, it's time to string your banner together.

Firstly, cut a piece of twine that is long enough to fit your banner, leaving extra on the ends for tying. You can always trim off any excess later.

If you've cut your burlap into triangles, lay out your first triangle and place the twine along the fold at the top of the triangle. Using a glue gun, put glue around the edge of the bottom triangle. Fold the top triangle down and press down around the edges, making sure the twine is in the fold.

If you've cut your burlap into squares, insert the twine upward through the burlap about 1 inch from the top of the square. You can weave the twine into the burlap at about 1-inch intervals. If the twine loses its sharpness at the end, snip it on an angle to make it easy to insert into the burlap again.

Continue stringing your banner until your entire message is complete.

Finally, ensure there is enough twine at either end of the banner to easily secure it to your desired location.

Decorating your banner

When it comes to the letters, you can use letter stencils and paint them on with white acrylic paint, or print out letters and glue them on. You can also buy blank custom burlap banners and design them yourself. If you want to add some sparkle, spread glitter over chipboard letters and attach them to the banner with Mod Podge.

If you're feeling extra creative, you can cut out shapes like anchors, bees, or bunnies to go alongside your letters. You can also add words like "Just Married", "She said yes", or "Thank you".

Frequently asked questions