Creating a No-Sew Fabric Banner (tutorial)

By Brittni • posted on 02/12/2024

How to make a no-sew fabric banner, like the one I made for my wedding.

Entertaining for parties and other special occasions is becoming quite the craze, with great sites like Hostess with the Mostess and Toast and Tables showing us how its done.

As some of you might remember from this post, I made the fabric banner above for our wedding ceremony- but it would make a great addition to any celebration and can take as little as 30 minutes to make, depending on how long the banner is.

Initially, it took me a while to figure out the best way to go about making one of these fabric banners, but now that I have it figured out- you don’t have to.

Supplies

Iron
Yarn, Jute, or String
Iron-on Adhesive (I used Heat n Bond)
Leftover Fabric Scraps
Scissors
Ruler

How to Make No-Sew Fabric Banner

1. Cut fabric scraps and grab some string.

Gather your fabric scraps and begin cutting them into equal size 2.5 x 5 inch rectangles (size may vary depending on preference).

Once you have cut enough, get out your string.

Leaving a good amount (2-3 feet) of extra string before starting, turn your first piece of fabric over, so that the “front” of the fabric is facing down.

Then place your string on top of the fabric towards the top of the rectangle, as shown below.

2. Cut iron-on adhesive and fold fabric over.

Cut a piece of iron-on adhesive that is slightly shorter than the width of the fabric and place below the string.

Now fold the top half of the fabric over (should be about a 1/4 of an inch) the string, making sure to cover the iron-on adhesive fully.

3.Use iron to heat set.

Place iron on top of fabric for 4-8 seconds, and remember to use the correct fabric setting depending on what type of fabric you are using.

Apply more heat if needed.

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3.

Repeat steps 2 and 3 until desired length is reached, making sure to evenly space each fabric rectangle from the next (1-2 inches is perfect).

Hang and enjoy!

What I love most about these banners is that you can use them for any celebration (or year-round for that matter).

And you can easily personalize them by using specific color fabrics or even add vinyl-sticker lettering to spell out a message, like Welcome Home.

{top image c/o Jeanne Ciasullo}

44 comments | Click here to reply

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I just did this! It was so easy and it turned out so well! I used baker’s twine as the string and left over quilting scraps. Perfect. Thanks!

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Hi!

I just wanted to let you know I referenced your DIY in my blog post today! Here’s the link:

http://yellowbirdyellowbeard.blogspot.com/2011/06/lists-day-13-diys-i-want-to-try.html

Thanks!
Janee

Janee Lookerse

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Thanks for this great idea! i used all my fabric scraps to make two of these pretty banners. I just can’t wait to throw a tea party now!!

Ash

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Thank you soo much for such a cute idea! I am setting up a cupcake stand and i am deffo using these decorating my tent! Thanks again<3

Spencer

I think this is just about the cutest thing EVER! Will be making some to spice up my porch for the summer. Thanks!

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Just want to say what a fantastic blog you got here! I’ve been around for quite plenty of time, but now decided to show my appreciation of your work! Well done, and all the best!

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Thanks again everyone for the compliments and blog mentions. I love hearings your stories about what you are using this project for. 🙂
-Brittni

papernstitch

Loved the idea. Made it for my sons birthday. Perfect. Saving it to use every year. Way better than a sewn triangle one or the throw away kind. Keep up the good work!

this is adorable and incredibly sweet. i think i need one for my balcony. i just got my hands on a bag of scrap fabrics, a perfect solution!

off to the sewing store to pick up supplies!

katie f

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Oh I love this!! I will have to share it on my blog. I’ll link back. 🙂

Lisa

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I have been searching and searching for a project such as this to have as a craft at a baby shower! The women will write various “hopes and wishes” for the baby with fabric markers on the banner panels and it’ll hang up in the baby’s room. LOVE IT!

Karin

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thanks so much for this tutorial! I’m totally trying out this project. I’ve been loving all the fabric banners I’ve been seeing. I may make one and keep it around (post-celebration!)

jen jafarzadeh

thanks for convincing me that I don’t need to use triangles! I was dreading cutting them…this approach is much more do-able! and so cute!!

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Love this, thanks for the idea, now I just need a reason to use it.

traveling bride

I’m curious – if the idea was a banner you’d be reusing, wouldn’t you want to finish the edges somehow?

Bladerunner

Very cute! Thanks for sharing 🙂

regina

This is such a good idea! I am throwing a baby shower next weekend and I am totally going to make this!

Becks

awesome idea!
This is just what I need for a backyard party im planning

jordy

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So sweet. Love how easy it would be throw one of these together for just about any occasion. Awesome.

Shannon

I made exactly these for my wedding last year using a combination of fabric that I screen printed myself and mounds of fabric scraps that I’ve had for ages. Only I used hot glue as the adhesive. Thanks for sharing your tips!

Katie

This is so clever and easy to do! Thanks so much for sharing. You know the yellow fabric with the white and black spots/designs that look like little eyes? Well, I bought some of that a couple of weeks ago and didn’t know what to do with it… now I do! Thanks again!

RobbieLee

So easy and wonderful!

These look kind of like Tibet prayer flags. I like the idea for decorating.

Caroline

SOO cute! I’m going to make them for my backyard, just because.

Brenda

Thanks Amanda, Lindsay, and Char. I think you all will have a lot of fun making these. I know I did (and my mom did too- who helped me finish mine so I could work on some other projects before the “big day”). Thanks Mom!
-Brittni

papernstitch

GREAT idea and post…thanks for that!
Char

char

This is really cute, and so easy!

Lyndsay@LouLouBll

This is a really sweet idea – thank you so much for putting the tutorial together.

Amanda~Weekend Host