Looking for a fun Valentine’s Day craft that’s big on style (and love!). This fabric banner wall hanging could be just the thing and there’s no sewing involved. The linen I used for my wall hanging is actually a place mat you can buy from Ikea for a few dollars, so it’s hemmed and ready to go.
Give Big Love or customise your wall hanging with your own words – your Valentine’s pet name, a quirky thing you say to each other, or some other loved-up message. Whatever words you use you’ll have a unique and special gift that’s handmade by you.
Materials
Wool felt in 7 different colours. I used good quality wool felt that I have in my craft stash, but felt that has a peel-off sticky back would make this simple project even easier!
White place mat or tea towel.
A piece of wooden dowel that’s a few centimetres shorter than the place mat.
A length of yarn for hanging.
Double-sided fusible webbing, to adhere the felt (you won’t need this if you’re using sticky back felt). You could also use fabric glue, but it would be tricky to get a nice flat finish.
Scissors, pen, paper.
Iron.
Let’s get started
1. Draw the letters. If you’re not confident about getting a good shape, the easiest way is to write the letter, then draw around the outside, echoing the shape. Then draw the inside of the letter. Check the size after you’ve done a couple to make sure the words will fit comfortably on your banner.
2. Now trace the letter onto the smooth side of the fusible web. The smooth side will the the under side of the letter, so you will have to trace the letter on back to front. The easiest way is to flip your letter over, and place it on a window with the fusible web on top.
3. Trim the excess fusible web off from around the letter.
4. Now repeat to for all the letters.
5. Choose a colour for each letter and cut a piece of felt that the fusible web will comfortably fit onto.
6. Place the fusible web rough side down on top of the felt and press with the iron.
7. When cool cut the letter out and peel the backing off.
8. Repeat for all the letters.
9. Place the place mat on your ironing board. Starting with the ‘L’ position all of the letters onto the place mat. When you’re happy with the placement cover the letters with a protective cloth (another place mat or tea towel) and press with the iron to activate the adhesive on the fusible web.
10. Add the hanging device. Turn the wall hanging over and cut a slit in the top hem, just wide enough for the dowel to pass through. Be super careful only to cut the back layer of fabric! Repeat at the other end.
If you’re using a tea towel or a place mat without a wide hem you won’t be able to use this method. If that’s the case, try this: just click through to see my tutorial on how to make wall hangings from tea towels.
11. Feed the dowel though the hem channel and tie the ends of a piece of yarn to each end.
12. Save your wall hanging and put it up on Valentines Day for your lover, give it to a friend, or keep it for yourself and display it straight away!
If you’d like to sit and do some meditative stitching it would also look beautiful with small stitches around the sides of each letter. If not, voila, you have a fabulous fabric wall hanging with a fun message and no sewing!
Want more DIY ideas? Have a look at all of our craft projects.
Photography and styling by Lisa Tilse for We Are Scout.