Like any good DIY project, my banner idea was birthed from multiple things that I have seen that gave me some inspiration. Naturally, wanting to relieve myself from taking on too much, I searched for quite a while before coming to terms with the fact that there was nothing else like this out there for sale. I would have to make it if I wanted it. Such is life. My first step… create a sketch of exactly what it is I want to do. In this case it was a VERY rough sketch of the church and how I really want my aisles to look once the decor is in place.
If you can ignore the crappiness of the drawing, you will see that I want monogrammed banners on every 5th pew with a rosemary wreath on every other pew between. (For now, ignore the window decor and the aisle runner.)
Now, although I have seen lovely banner garlands and the like, I had yet to see banners like these. So I went to the church and took the measurements of the pews, and then went home and devised a pattern. I purchased all the supplies I would need for both the banners and my aisle runners (see previous post) at the local JoAnn’s Fabrics, Etc. and got myself into gear.
There are few things more hopeful than new crafting supplies!
All the easy stuff was finished; now I actually had to work. Sixteen banners needed to be created… before September. I began making my cuts (a thing that almost always makes me insanely nervous).
The Navy fabric was cut to 10″ X 13″ and the Green was cut to 1 1/2″ larger all around. The Green was then folded in half lengthwise and a 45% angle was taken from the center point of the bottom. I decided to leave the Navy uncut to provide weight.
Next, I laid one of the Green cuts flat on the table. I then picked up one of the Navy pieces and folded the bottom corners to meet in back, thus creating the 45% angle needed to match the bottom of the green. I placed the Navy on the Green and folded the green up around the sides, creating a miter at each corner.
Now, when I actually sew these together, I will hem the Green cuts before that final step of the mitering, etc. But right now my Navy pieces are over at my friend’s house being monogrammed. 
I will take pics when it is all together and ready.
As for hanging these pretties when they are all done and ready to go… easy! I will finish of the tops, fold them over and run a straight stitch to create a small rod pocket, push a small dowel through for rigidity and then tack on a loop of 5/8″ ivory ribbon (to match the embroidery). This will be hooked on a 3M hook that will be attached upside down on the unseen side of the pews.
What do you guys think? Classy or crazy?
