Fabric Banner

Whether it is to celebrate a winging, homecoming, birthday or even to show off you dedication to your favorite sports team, this fabric banner is fairly simple to make and comes out awesome!

1.       Find a table to work on that is at least as large as the banner so you can lay the entire banner flat without anything slipping off the edge. 

2.       Cut the material for the banner (red or blue) to 30”x51” out of twill. Make sure it is wider than 44 inches.

3.       Cut the yellow border material into 2 - 4”x33” strips and 2 - 4”x54” strips. The yellow is called corn yellow at Hobby Lobby.

4.       Sew border strips together.

a.       Place a long strip and a short strip on top of each other.

b.      Sew corner together at a 45° angle leaving about ¾” open on the inside.

Use yellow thread top and bottom.

Fold and crease the corner if you want a line to follow.

I would sew until the tip of the pressure foot reached the edge.

c.       Repeat until all four strips are sewn together.

Make sure all your diagonal corners open the correct way so you end up with a rectangle and not some twisted 3D version of a box.

5.       Fold over the unfinished inside edge of the border and iron a ½” hem all the way around.

Careful and straight cutting of the border strips allows for nice straight lines on the inside of the border. Mine always had a little left unsown on the inside edge of the border corners above the folded and pressed hem. This gave me some fudge factor if I didn’t place my border on the banner perfectly.

6.       Pin border onto banner.

a.       First place the border on the banner right side up, the way you want it to look.

Take some time with this step to make sure the border is equidistant from all edges and laying straight. Usually about 1 ½ inches to 2 inches from the edge is where my border lays.

b.       Fold one edge of the border to the inside of the banner and pin the pressed hem open and onto the banner.

Repeat with all sides. Or pin and sew one edge at a time.

7.       Sew the inside edge of the border to the banner.

Use yellow thread on top and the banner color (blue or red) on bottom if you don’t want to have a yellow box stitched on the back side of the banner and sew along the line you pressed.

If you placed and pinned the border on carefully the inside corners of the borders should line up nicely when folded back on top of the banner.

8.       Fold outside edges of border over the back of banner at 2” from the center and press with iron.

If the heavens have come together for you, your inside edge of the border should be the same distance from the outside of the banner all the way around and this distance should be 2”. If this is the case, just fold the border over the edge of the banner and iron. If not, you’ll have to measure have a straight and equal width border all the way around.

9.       Fold unfinished edge under again, press with iron, and pin to banner.

The corners take a bit of fancy folding to make them line up with the diagonal seam on the front. It’s kind of like folding hospital corners on your bed sheet.

10.   Sew outside edge of banner.

Use yellow thread top and bottom.

If you sew about ½” or so away from the outside edge of the banner you can shove a small wooden dowel rod inside the top edge to hang your perfect banner, perfectly straight.

Assembling The Banner

1.       Iron on the Wonder-Under (sticky paper) to the back side of the yellow fabric. Use an iron on medium heat with no steam. Hold in place for 5-8 seconds in each spot. You may want to do this a few times in each place to make sure it sticks.

2.       Using the letter templates, trace the word CONGRATULATIONS in large letters. When you trace the letters, trace on the paper side and make sure that the colored side of the cardboard is facing up. You will be tracing the letters backwards.

3.       Next you will be tracing the rank, first name and last name. If the number of letters in the rank, first name and last name is between 15-17 letters you can trace using the big letters. If the number of letters is more than 17, you will have to use the smaller letters.  Below is an example of how to abbreviate the ranks.

Marines: 1STLT JOHN DOE Navy: LTJG JOHN DOE

4.       Next you will be using the smaller letters to trace the winging date, VT-21, and NAS KINGSVILLE. (Military dates are typically written day, month, year. The month uses only a three letter abbreviation, so for example the September winging the date appeared on the banners as: 02 SEP 11) The date, VT-21 and NAS KINGSVILLE go in the bottom corners of the banners. 

5.       Once you have traced all of your letters, leave the paper on the material and cut out the letters. DO NOT TAKE OFF THE PAPER YET!

6.       Take the gold wings you were given and cut them out leaving about a one inch border around the wings. Cut out a piece of the Wonder Under (sticky paper) that is the exact same size and shape as the wings.

7.       This next step must be done VERY CAREFULLY. Place a sheet or pillowcase down on a hard surface. Place the wings gold side down, onto sheet or pillowcase. Place the sticky paper on top of the wings with the rough side of the paper touching the back of the wings. Using an iron on low to medium heat, iron the sticky paper to the wings. If you think you might melt the wings then place another pillow case on top of the paper side of the sticky paper. Getting the paper to adhere to the wings takes awhile.

8.       Once the paper is stuck to the wings, cut the wings out around the black border.

9.       If you are using a table as your work surface be sure to cover it with a towel or sheet for the next step.  Lay your banner out and place the lettering onto your banner. Be sure you have even spacing from the sides and that the lines are going straight. Once you see that everything is going to fit ok you can begin ironing everything on.  DO NOT take the paper off of the letters until you are ready to iron that particular letter on. It works well to iron CONGRATULATIONS on first and start with the middle letters and work out.

10.    When you peel the paper off of the letter you should feel rough stuff on the back of the letter. If notice the roughness is still on the paper just go over the letter/paper with an iron again.

11.    Iron your wings onto your banner last. Peel the paper off of the wings and situate them where you want them on the banner. Place a towel or pillowcase over the wings so you don’t melt the material. Using medium heat iron the wings on. This process could take 10 or more minutes. Check to see if they are sticking as you go.

12.    Once you have ironed on the wings and the letters your banner is complete!!

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas Gift Exchange Poem

Last year I went to a ornament exchange with some wives and we used this neat little poem to decide who got what ornament. Just have everyone wrap up their ornament, give each person in attendance a number and have some fun!!

1. Lucky you, you're # 1

You get to start all the fun.

So grab a gift and grab it quick.

Cause you're the one who gets first pick.

2. Number 2 you're on the way.

It's time for you to have your say.

Get your gift and when you're done,

Swap it off with number 1.

3. Number 3 its plain to see.

It's your turn to pick which gift `twill be.

And when your choosing job is through,

Swap with 1 and then with 2.

4. Number 4 must use your head.

So grab a gift that has some red.

If it doesn't suit you to a `T',

You may swap with 2 or 3.

5. Jump to it 5, don't drag your feet.

Take your gift back to your seat.

Wonder of wonders, it's yours for a spell.

But what comes next, you can never tell.

6. Number 6 it's your time to go.

Grab a gift and don't be slow.

Now put on a smile so they won't be sore,

Cause you must swap with #4.

7. Is a lucky number it seems,

You choose a gift that has some green.

Poke it, and shake it until you get back.

Now trade with someone wearing black.

8. Number 8 its up to you.

To get a gift that has some blue.

Now go quietly to your place.

Or trade with someone with a smiling face.

9. Nine, we haven't forgotten you.

So choose your gift and don't be blue.

Consider well and when all is said.

Trade with someone wearing red.

10. Number 10 come to the front.

For yours you shouldn't have to hunt.

Now hurry back and look alive.

For you get to swap with #5.

11. Your turn 11 is finally here.

Pick a gift and hold it near.

Back at your seat look both ways.

If your choice was right then it may stay.

12. Number 12 jump to it sir/girl.

Make your choice, and with a whirl

Glance around to see who's where.

Swap with whomever's got the darkest hair.

13. Well, now, what do you know.

It's finally 13's turn to go.

There you go, you're doing fine.

Now swap with 3 or 6 or 9.

14. Number 14 it's your turn to shine.

So find a gift and don't you pine.

Somewhere you really have a friend.

You get to trade with number 10.



15. Number 15 how do you do?

There should be a fit up there for you.

So pick one out without delay.

Now trade with someone wearing gray.

16. Number 16 your patience is great.

Go get a gift and don't be late.

When your return, spin around.

And switch with someone wearing brown.

17. 17 your choice is here.

Find a box and hold it near.

When you return and look behind.

Swap with 11 if you don't mind.

18. Number 18 boogie to the tree.

Choose the largest gift you see.

Admire it well, then turn with a wink.

And swap with someone wearing pink.

19. Now #19, do as you're told.

Find a gift which has some gold.

When you've chosen we must be fair,

Trade with whoever has the blondest hair.

20. Number 20 how patiently you've waited.

Go get a gift before it's outdated.

Shake it a bit and look around the floor.

Swap it with someone who's five feet four.

21. 21 it's time for fun.

For swapping time has just begun.

After trading with 4 and 9.

Swap with two even numbers--That's fine.

22. 22 it's time to make your way.

Get a gift that's pretty and gay.

Now get ready to use your bean.

You must swap with 8 and 14.

23. 23 your turn has come.

Choose your gift with a lithe hum.

Look it over and when you're through.

You may swap with a number having 2.

24. Number 24 have you been bored?

Well, we'd like to show you you're adored.

So choose a box, see what you get.

Now you may trade with a brunette.

25. Let's go 25, look alive.

Pick a gift of any size.

Show the gang that you're O.K.

And swap with anyone you say.

26. It's time for 26 to mix.

Get a gift if just for kicks.

For you're to trade, if you have the knack.

With anyone whose shoes aren't black.

27. Number 27 how lucky you are.

You've seen all the gifts chosen so far.

If a pretty box catches your eye.

Grab it, make a trade, and don't be shy.

28. Hop up 28, don't drag your feet.

Study your gift as you reach your seat.

Now grin a bit and smile some more.

Trade with 22, then 24.

29. Number 29 you must wake up.

Run up there as spry as a pup.

Make your choice, isn't this keen?

But you must swap with 17.

30. Number 30 your wait was long.

But when we're through you'll sing a song.

Just look them over from small to large.

See a favorite? Then forward charge!

Home is Where...

I’ve been a true Air Force wife for just over a year, the moment that we landed here at our first base. Throughout my life, I had always lived in Michigan. I grew up there. I went to college there. I got married there. And my husband and I lived there for a year before our big move to where we are located now. Before meeting my husband, I never thought I would move out of Michigan and if I did, I would be moving to Colorado or Montana. But life doesn’t always go the way as planned and sometimes we end up in locations we never thought we would live in.  

To me, my true home with always be Michigan. When someone asks me where I am from, no matter how long we have been in the Air Force, I will always say Michigan.  But through every move and in every state, we have to make that place “our home".  Home is Where the Air Force sends us. 

Throughout my blog stalking/pinterest love, I have seen plaques that say Home is Where the Air Force sends us and underneath lists the different bases where at some point, you have called home.  Being the crafty person that I am, I decided to make my own sign for our house. To make, I picked up a piece of craft wood from Hobby Lobby. There are all different sizes so I just found the one that I liked and made it work. Then, I got the same shape in a little bit smaller size for the base/location, to hang underneath. 

First, I painted the craft wood white so that when I adhered the letters and painted over it black, the words would be white. Then, using my Cricut, I cut out the letters using George & Basic Shapes on plain contact paper. I aligned the letters where I wanted them on the wood and adhered them, making sure that they were stuck down as good as possible. You don't want paint to seep through and get on the white. Once the letters were adhered, I painted over with black acrylic paint, allowing the paint to dry between coats. I probably did around 3 coats to give it the total black look that I wanted. After the paint was completely dry, I pulled off the letters. 

 Happy Sunday!