PPP Day 22: Pretty Pennant Banners

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    So, my blog advisers (aka, my sisters) suggested that I needed a "real" tutorial to help round out my post line-up. The unanimous vote was for a pennant banner, which I'll be honest: I kind of thought it was no-tutorial necessary. But they disagree. So here it is-a ridiculously easy DIY!

Gather your supplies:
-ribbon
-cardstock/scrapbook paper/ construction paper/ foam sheets (that's what I'm using)
-a ruler
-a hot glue gun (or you could use tape if you're desperate, or sew it on a machine if you are talented!)
-washi tape (this is totally unnecessary, but I like it for embellishments, as this is a low-key banner)

 Unless you want wide, fat triangles, you need to start out with a rectangular piece of material. I was using craft foam from the Dollar Tree that came in pre-cut sheets of 4x6 size. Basically, you can cut a regular piece of scrapbook paper in half, that will give you 6x12 sheets, or you can cut them any other size you desire. If you use 6x12 you will end up with long, narrow triangles (which is kind of fun), and the closer your dimensions get the more "even" your triangles will be. I have found 4x6 to be a nice size.

Start by measuring to the center of the bottom of  your triangle, on the "short" side of your rectangle. You want to mark your halfway point with a dot. I measured to 2 inches and marked that.

Then, using your ruler, place it touching the corner of your sheet on the diagonal, with the bottom crossing your center point and draw a line. I am pretty sure I learned this in geometry- I don't remember, I try to block those things out! Do the same thing on the other side.

 Ta-da! You have officially drawn a triangle! Yay for math!

 I wanted some of my pieces to be embellished with washi tape, so I went ahead and laid a stripe across the top, *before* cutting out the triangle, so it would be even with the sides. You should be able to cut out several triangles at once. Don't do what I did and lay your tape on the traced side, flip it over and put it on the back, so you won't see the pencil lines. I had to move mine.

Keep cutting until you have the desired number of triangles. You can do the math-each triangle is 4 inches at the top, and divide it into the number of feet you want. Or you can throw some ribbon up to measure that way. Or you can just wing it. I'll let you guess my preferred method!

I recommend laying your triangles out the way you want to glue them down-especially if you are spelling out words. This helps to eliminate gluing errors!

The easiest way to attach them to the ribbon that I have found is to run a line of glue across the *very* top of your triangle (especially if your ribbon is thin, like mine), and then flip them over and stick them to the ribbon. You can leave spaces in between, I chose not to this time, I placed them right next to each other.

And in just a few minutes, you will have a charming pennant banner, suitable for all types of events, or just decorating your house! I was delighted to find I had fall colored foam on hand, it looks so festive with my pumpkins.

I have two more little garlands to share with you tomorrow-if you are bored by the basics. But don't forget that there are so many ways you can change this to fit your party. You can:

-make it larger
-put letters on it
-add designs with more scrapbook paper or stickers
-put bows on the end, or felt flowers
-make it smaller, to top a cake
-use it on a wall
-use it on a table
-put it on a bookshelf
-change up the size of the triangles on the same garland (use both skinny, wide, large and small triangles)
-put it over a fireplace
-use felt or fabric to make it a keepsake

Knowing how to make these is like knowing how to bake a chocolate cake-its a party classic that will always serve you well!

This is Day 22 of "31 Days of Perfect Party Planning". See the rest of the series here.

Linking up to:
"Show Me What Ya Got" at Not Just a Housewife 
"Wow Me Wednesday" at Ginger Snap Crafts