Classy DIY Halloween Decorations

This DIY Halloween banner is one of several Halloween diy decorations I am creating this year. Halloween is just so much fun, with the parties, the trick and treaters, the costumes and the decor. Halloween is such a fun holiday for all ages whether your a young trick or treater, or a Grandma like me having fun making DIY Halloween decorations.   I love to come up with homemade Halloween decoration ideas that are more Halloween themed then they are actually scary.  This DIY Halloween Banner hangs from our family room mantel, but it would look really nice along the front of a sideboard at a Halloween party as well.   The deep red velvet vampire inspired colour is a bit different for Halloween than the typical orange and purples, I love both the colour and the dramatic feel it adds my Halloween decor this year.

You may have seen this DIY Halloween banner in an earlier DIY Halloween decoration post for an Owl Chalkboard, but today I am sharing the tutorial for the banner.w

How to Make a DIY Halloween Banner

Halloween Garland Supplies

Make the Halloween Banner Harlequin Triangles

You can make your Halloween banner with hot glue or sewing. I prefer sewing but the choice is of course your prefpreference. Each paper triangle is approximately 3.5″ wide and 4″ long. Begin by cutting out your Halloween themed cardstock.

fOnce you know the size you want for your paper triangle, add one inch to all sides for the fabric. Using chalk mark the fabric and then cut out.  Cut out 12 triangles to make six banner sections.j

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Place the good sides of the fabric together,  I didn’t find it necessary to pin the material together.  Sew a 1/4 inch seam around the triangle leaving one inch open on one seam.

Turn the triangles right side out, iron flat and sew the open portion closed.  Repeat for the remaining garland sections.  Set aside and continue by making the red swag and bows.

Make Red Velvet Fabric Banner with Bows

Start by measuring your fireplace to judge how much longer the material needs to be.  Our fireplace is 64  inches wide.  Add 36 inches to the length to allow for draping and tails.  For this banner, I cut two pieces of velvet 50 inches wide and six inches high.

 Sew the two lengths of material good sides together to form one long strip.

Then fold the long strip good side together.

Sew along one short seam and the one long seam.   Iron your material well,  I did not need to pin my material together, but you can if you find it easier.  Sew the fabric along one short seam and then the long seam.  Turn it right side out and sew the one open end closed.  You will end up with one long strip about 80 inches wide and 2.5 inches high.  Set aside and start making the three ribbons.

To make the three ribbons, cut six lengths of material 12 inches wide and six inches high, and three lengths of material 3 inches wide and 2 inches high.

Lay the 12 inch strips flat and fold the edges into the middle.  Iron.

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Next fold the two ends into the middle overlapping a little bit and sew by hand to gather and secure.

Once that is done wrap the thread around the center to form the bow and tie off.  Repeat for the other two ribbons.

To cover the middle of the bows take the three short (3″) inch pieces of material, fold over the edges by 1/4 inch, press and then sew along the very edge.  Set aside and continue with the paper portion.  It will look like this but do not sew the wrap to the ribbon.

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Create the Paper Portion of the Banner

The lady at the card store told me it was possible to sew card stock paper to a banner.  As I find this super easy and I love how secure it makes it I recommend giving it a try.  If you prefer to use double sided tape or hot glue, by all means, do so.

Using either a cutting machine or by printing the letter out on cardstock using your printer and then scissors make your letters.  The letters are 3 inches high.

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If you are using two different types of paper like I did, make sure to alternate the paper style for each letter.  Arrange the banner pieces out on a table and using double sided tape attach the letters.

The scrapbook store in Edmonton had some really cute assorted Halloween cut outs which added variety to the banner.   You can purchase them at craft stores as well, or print some out on card stock and cut them by hand.    Place the extra little printables on top of your letters as you like.

Putting the DIY Halloween Garland Together

Hang your Halloween garland up on the mantel.    Place a ribbon in the middle.  Wrap the little portion around both the ribbon and the long swag and pin into place from the back where it doesn’t show.  Repeat this for the other ribbons.

Add the Halloween Banner Lettering

Work from the outside of your banner and place the first two letters on the long strip.  Attach the fabric banner pieces by hand sewing the corners or using a safety pin from the bak where it won’t show.  Repeat this for the other end.

Place your next two letters near the center of your hanging banner.

Finally place the last two banner pieces between the ones you have already attached.

For this banner, I have a command strip to adhere for the centre portion to the mantel and used the two cats to weigh down the other two ends.

Happy Halloween

Other Halloween Mantel Decorations