Typewriter Keys Family Pennant Banner

by Stacy Davis

One of my favorite vintage styles is the vintage typewriter key look mimicked in home décor. I created a pennant banner that uses this idea. This particular tutorial is a 2 for 1. Meaning you cut one file on your cutting machine and you can use the pieces to make two FAMILY pennant banners. An excellent idea would be to keep one for home and give one as a gift. One will be the vintage typewriter key look and the second will be a simple FAMILY pennant banner.

typewriter keys family pennant banner, crafts

Supplies Needed:

Freezer Paper to create stencil

Cutting Machine (Silhouette, Cameo or Cricut are some popular ones) or a pair or sharp detail scissors, an alphabet stencil to create a roughly 3 inch by 3 inch letter

Burlap (I am using tan colored or light brown)

Iron (to apply freezer paper stencil to burlap)

Black Paint – I use acrylic paint, chalk paint or fabric paint.

White Paint (I am using this to make my second banner with white lettering but you could just use black paint for the second banner.)

Paint to match the burlap color

Paint dauber or sponge dauber (I use make up sponges and sponge daubers)

Masking Tape or Painters Tape (Optional)

Sewing Machine and matching thread to color burlap or Fabric Glue

Jute twine

Step One.

I made 3 inch by 3 inch letters in a 6 inch circle and using my cutting machine to create these stencils spelling out FAMILY in all capital letters using freezer paper as the stencil material.

Step Two.

I carefully remove the inner circle and save for the second banner that I will create later. This leaves a letter and an empty circle.

Find a circular item that is slightly smaller than your 6 inch circle. This will be used later to add paint marks to your banner.

Step Three.

Cut pennant shapes from burlap and cut out with scissors. My pennants are 10 inches across the top and 12.5 inches from the top to the point.

Step Four.

Using a medium hot iron, press freezer paper stencil firmly onto burlap. I adhere the circle cutout first and then apply the letter to the center of the circle. I find that it helps to mask off additional areas with masking or painters tape if the stencil seems narrow in places. It will prevent you from accidentally getting paint in the areas outside the circle.

Step Five.

Once cool, apply black paint with a dauber or sponge. I usually need to do three coats to get an even coverage of black, without any burlap showing through.

Step Six.

Let dry completely before removing stencil.

Step Seven.

Using circle shape, apply a small amount of burlap colored paint to edge to create small arcs at random places to mimic the look of vintage typewriter keys. Let dry completely.

Step Eight.

Holding the top edge, fold down a ¼ of an inch and iron. Then fold down again to create a perfect triangle and iron. This keeps the raw edge within the seam. Pin and sew with regular seam allowances. I add my jute twine at this point and sew it already inside the pennant flag.

Step Nine.

I sew all flags continuously, backstitching at the beginning and end of each flag and leaving 1 inch or so of stitching between flags. When done, I snip all the connecting thread and trim neatly.