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    Home » Holidays » Christmas

    Christmas DIY Canvas Banner

    Updated: Nov 25, 2020 by Melissa Mortenson · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads ·

    This fun Christmas DIY Canvas Banner can be customized a million different ways and makes a cute gift! If you like this project then you may also like this pattern for Mini Christmas Stockings.

    Christmas DIY Canvas banner with free pattern and templates. How to make a canvas banner- a cute Christmas sign that says "Peace on Earth" #Christmas #canvasbanner #DIY #ChristmasCrafts

    I work as a brand Ambassador for Cricut, this is sponsored content #CricutPartner.

    Table of Contents
    • DIY “Peace on Earth” Christmas Banner Tutorial
    • Cutting Fabric with the Cricut Maker
    • Canvas Banner Supplies
    • Instructions
    • Why I used the Rotary Blade for this Project

    I feel like a broken record, since I keep saying this,  but this year is flying by! I can not believe that it’s already mid-November. In my head school just got out. Every year for Christmas it seems that I plan poorly and end up with a million “to do’s” the week before the Holiday.  Pretty much making myself miserable. This year I am determined to either 1- plan further ahead or 2- do less “things”. I’m guessing it will end up being a combination of both!

    Each year I like to add one “handmade” item to my Christmas decor. This year I decided to make a simple DIY Canvas banner. I love these banners and have made quite a few in the past (you can see my Halloween version HERE).

    This year I knew I wanted to make one for Christmas. I struggled a bit with what I wanted it to say then settled on “Peace on Earth”. As I think we all would appreciate a bit more peace in the world right now.

    DIY “Peace on Earth” Christmas Banner Tutorial

    I also created a simple felt Holly Berry garland to go along with the banner. I’ll tell you quickly how to make it in the tutorial but may plan a more detailed “how to” for it later this month.

    Review of the new Cricut Maker Machine and answers to some of your frequently asked questions about the new cricut machine

    This project was created almost entirely with my Cricut Maker! If you’re wondering just what that is, you can CLICK HERE to read my review of the Maker, along with a brief outline of what it can do and answers to a lot of frequently asked questions.

    What is a Cricut? A Cricut Machine is an electronic cutting machine. It hooks up to your computer via USB or Bluetooth and cuts images you send to it, much like a printer. It just cuts instead of prints. It can cut vinyl, paper, fabric, and much more. The images are all digital; you can upload your own images or buy images in the Cricut Design space individually. You can read my full review of the Cricut Maker Machine HERE.

    Christmas DIY Canvas banner with free pattern and templates. How to make a canvas banner- a cute Christmas sign that says "Peace on Earth" #Christmas #canvasbanner #DIY #ChristmasCrafts

    Cutting Fabric with the Cricut Maker

    When I found out the Cricut Maker could cut fabric, I knew right away that I wanted to make a million appliques with it! I’ve also wanted to delve more into felt crafting, and the idea of having a machine that can cut the felt for me makes that even more appealing.

    Review of the new Cricut Maker Machine and answers to some of your frequently asked questions about the new cricut machine

    I spent most of October figuring out just how exactly to cut appliques with the Maker. I made a quilt for my booth at Quilt Market and cut most of the appliques for that quilt with the Maker. So are you ready to make something?

    Christmas DIY Canvas banner with free pattern and templates. How to make a canvas banner- a cute Christmas sign that says "Peace on Earth" #Christmas #canvasbanner #DIY #ChristmasCrafts

    Canvas Banner Supplies

    Here’s what you’ll need:

    • ½ yard of Canvas
    • 18″ Dowel Rod
    • Sewing Machine
    • Cricut Maker, with Rotary Blade and Fabric Mat
    • 12″ x 12″ piece of fabric for letters
    • 1 piece of red felt, 12″ x 12″ – I used Cricut Felt in the Sky Sampler
    • 2 pieces of green felt, 12″ x 12″
    • Heat N Bond Lite
    • 6 red buttons
    • Ribbon for the top of the banner
    • Cut files for the PEACE ON EARTH and Holly Berries. You can download them HERE. Just make sure you read the instructions at the top of the page. – Right now I’m only doing cut files for this, I might add a PDF later next week when I have a bit more time if there is a demand for it.

    Cricut SVG File: Note: all files in the Library are for personal use only. You may not sell items you make with the files. To get these files into the Cricut Design space, you need to visit OUR CRICUT LIBRARY and follow the directions. When prompted, select the button and save the file as an SVG to your computer. Please do not open it in a new window. It will load as an image, not an SVG. Next, go to the Cricut Design Space page with your browser. Select NEW when the screen pops up; select IMAGE. Then select – upload. Upload the image you obtained. It’s ready to use in Design Space!

    Instructions

    Step One: Create the Banner

    First, you need to make your canvas shape. Begin by cutting your canvas to 16″ x 22″. Find the center of the 16″ side and mark it. Then measure down 16″ from the top of the banner on the 22″ side. Place a mark.

    Draw a line connecting the center marks with the 16″ marks. Cut along this line. Repeat for the other side.

    How to make a canvas banner with felt letters - such a cute DIY dorm room decorating idea!

    Next, fold over the top of the banner about 1″ and press. Then fold in all the sides of the banner ¼″ and press.

    How to make a canvas banner with felt letters - such a cute DIY dorm room decorating idea!

    Stitch the top of the banner along the edge of the seam to create a pocket for the dowel rod. If you would rather, you can use steam a seam and “glue” the seam in place. Stitch down the sides of the banner (or glue) as shown.

    Step 2: Cut out the Letters with your Cricut

    Now you are ready to make the letters for your banner. Download the svg files and upload them into the Cricut Design Space.

    Let’s start with the PEACE ON EARTH.

    This design is set to cut the letters individually and all from the same mat. If you want the letters cut on different mats (you are using more than one fabric) then just change the element you want on another mat to another COLOR. The color tells the machine that it goes on a new mat. It also helps you to preview what your design will look like after you are done.

    Christmas DIY Canvas banner with free pattern and templates. How to make a canvas banner- a cute Christmas sign that says "Peace on Earth" #Christmas #canvasbanner #DIY #ChristmasCrafts

    When you have the mat laid out the way you like, size the entire image to about 14″ across.

    Christmas DIY Canvas banner with free pattern and templates. How to make a canvas banner- a cute Christmas sign that says "Peace on Earth" #Christmas #canvasbanner #DIY #ChristmasCrafts

    Since we don’t care if the letters cut next to each other (like we would if it was an iron-on), you do not need to attach the layers. Just click MAKE IT and the software will fit the letters on the mat in the most efficient way.

    Christmas DIY Canvas banner with free pattern and templates. How to make a canvas banner- a cute Christmas sign that says "Peace on Earth" #Christmas #canvasbanner #DIY #ChristmasCrafts

    You will notice that the holly leaves are in the same file. That is OK. I’m going to show you how to cut it all at once. Also, in the image above I changed the word “on” to red, just to show you how you can move it to another mat.

    Iron the Heat n Bond line to the WRONG side of your fabric. Make sure it is well-attached and REMOVE the paper backing.

    Christmas DIY Canvas banner with free pattern and templates. How to make a canvas banner- a cute Christmas sign that says "Peace on Earth" #Christmas #canvasbanner #DIY #ChristmasCrafts

    Place the fabric bonded side down, onto your fabric mat.

    Tell the machine that you are using COTTON BONDED fabric, and change the blade to Rotary Blade (change it both physically on the machine and in the software).

    Review of the new Cricut Maker Machine and answers to some of your frequently asked questions about the new cricut machine

    Then load the mat when prompted and click the Cricut icon when it blinks.

    It will cut your first mat, in this case, the letters.

    Christmas DIY Canvas banner with free pattern and templates. How to make a canvas banner- a cute Christmas sign that says "Peace on Earth" #Christmas #canvasbanner #DIY #ChristmasCrafts

    Peel away the extra fabric and remove the letters.

    The machine will now prompt you to load the next mat, which in my case was felt.

    Cutting Out the Felt Holly & Berries

    Take note of the SIZE of the holly leaves on your preview screen. Cut a piece of felt about 1″ larger than that size and iron the Heat N Bond Lite onto the wrong side. Peel away the paper. Place bonded side down on the fabric mat.

    Change the material setting to FELT. Change the blade to “rotary”.  Load the mat when prompted, then click the icon and let it cut.

    Christmas DIY Canvas banner with free pattern and templates. How to make a canvas banner- a cute Christmas sign that says "Peace on Earth" #Christmas #canvasbanner #DIY #ChristmasCrafts

    You should now have letters from fabric and holly leaves cut from felt.

    Step 3: Applique

    Center the letters and felt on the canvas banner. When you get them in the correct spot, use your iron to attach them to the canvas.

    If desired, go around each letter with a blanket stitch. You don’t have to do this, it will stick down fine without it. It is just to add a bit of extra detail.

    Christmas DIY Canvas banner with free pattern and templates. How to make a canvas banner- a cute Christmas sign that says "Peace on Earth" #Christmas #canvasbanner #DIY #ChristmasCrafts

    To finish the banner, sew on 6 red buttons on top of the Holly leaves. Feed the dowel rod through the top pocket and tie the ribbon to the dowel rod.

    Christmas DIY Canvas banner with free pattern and templates. How to make a canvas banner- a cute Christmas sign that says "Peace on Earth" #Christmas #canvasbanner #DIY #ChristmasCrafts

    Step 4: Garland

    To create the Holly garland. Open the Holly Berry file in Design Space. Size it the size that you want. Take note, the Maker can not cut curves/circles smaller than ¾ with the rotary blade. So don’t make it too small!

    Christmas DIY Canvas banner with free pattern and templates. How to make a canvas banner- a cute Christmas sign that says "Peace on Earth" #Christmas #canvasbanner #DIY #ChristmasCrafts

    Click MAKE IT.

    Christmas DIY Canvas banner with free pattern and templates. How to make a canvas banner- a cute Christmas sign that says "Peace on Earth" #Christmas #canvasbanner #DIY #ChristmasCrafts

    In the upper left corner change the project copies to the number you want.

    It will automatically space the berry centers on different mats that the holly leaves.

    Select FELT as your material, and change the blade to the Rotary Blade.

    Load the mat and cut.

    Christmas DIY Canvas banner with free pattern and templates. How to make a canvas banner- a cute Christmas sign that says "Peace on Earth" #Christmas #canvasbanner #DIY #ChristmasCrafts

    After you are done, peel the pieces off of the mat, and put into 2 piles, leaves and berries.

    Christmas DIY Canvas banner with free pattern and templates. How to make a canvas banner- a cute Christmas sign that says "Peace on Earth" #Christmas #canvasbanner #DIY #ChristmasCrafts

    Now simply use your sewing machine to stitch the berries and leaves together in a garland. Just alternate berries and leaves and leave 1 stitch between each as you go.

    Christmas DIY Canvas banner with free pattern and templates. How to make a canvas banner- a cute Christmas sign that says "Peace on Earth" #Christmas #canvasbanner #DIY #ChristmasCrafts
    Christmas DIY Canvas banner with free pattern and templates. How to make a canvas banner- a cute Christmas sign that says "Peace on Earth" #Christmas #canvasbanner #DIY #ChristmasCrafts

    That’s it! You’re done!

    Why I used the Rotary Blade for this Project

    We will talk more about cutting out appliques with the Maker in future projects. I have also cut more intricate designs with the Maker, but have not used the rotary blade. I have found that even with bonded fabric I prefer the rotary blade and fabric mat to the traditional blade. It cuts smoother. I use it any time the image is large enough (the Maker can’t cut circles smaller than ¾″

    If you want to pick up a Maker yourself or want more info! Just click on over to Cricut!

    Christmas DIY Canvas banner with free pattern and templates. How to make a canvas banner- a cute Christmas sign that says "Peace on Earth" #Christmas #canvasbanner #DIY #ChristmasCrafts

    This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.

     

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    About Author

    Melissa Mortenson

    Melissa Mortenson is a blogger, designer, and content creator. She is the Polka Dot Chair blog founder and has been sharing fresh and creative ideas with readers since 2008. She is the author of “Project Teen, Handmade Gifts your Teen will Actually Love.” Her work and designs have been featured on HuffPost, TODAY, Pioneer Woman, HGTV, BuzzFeed, Better Homes & Gardens, and many other established publications. Her first fabric line, “Derby Style,” debuted in January 2015 through Riley Blake Designs.  Additional fabric collections have followed it in subsequent years. A mom of 3, she considers herself lucky to be living in Kentucky.

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    Hello! It’s nice to meet you.

    I’m Melissa. I like to design things, like fabric, printables, and projects.

    I’m also a Mom and a Maker. I am like most of you, just trying to do my best every day. Some days I succeed, many days I fail.  I find joy in creating, if you do too, then I hope that you find something here bring a little “happy” to your life.  Find out more about me here.

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