DIY Fall Banner, Easy Leaves Decor

This simple fall banner is an easy project that is a fun way to pass a couple of evening’s, and an easy way to decorate for the fall season.

Step 1 Prepare Background Gelli Printed Papers

Not gelli printed before? No worries, I have you covered. The basics are you use a brayer to roll out acyrlic paint onto a gelli plate, place a piece of paper over the top, smooth it down then peel off the paper. The acrylic paint lifts off the plate onto your paper.

The beauty of this technique is that you can texture and layers of color.

To start roll out some autumn colours onto your plate. Next, let’s add some pattern/texture. I have three techniques for you to try: crumpled foil adhered to a cardboard base, crumpled kitchen roll dabbed across the surface and my personal favorite crumpled tissue paper placed across the gelli plate and then pulled off leaving vein like patterns.

Here’s a close up of the tissue paper in action.

Once this first layer of acrylic has dried roll out a second color to create some fabulous gelli plate prints.

Read more about gelli plate printing with my How to Gelli Plate Print Guide.

You will need approx one A4 sheet of paper per four leaves. The paper will need to be fully dry before moving onto the next step.

Step 2: Cutting Out Leaf Shapes

Cricut Machine

In the cricut design space open a new canvas. Select images, type in leaf shape to the search, then on the left-hand side select free. This gives you a variety of leaf shapes you can then select and add to your canvas. Size your leaves as you require, for my flags I chose a width of approx 7cm.

Place your chosen Gelli Plate print onto a medium-strength cutting mat, with a fine cutting blade, with the light card stock selected. Ensure your paper is fully adhered to the mat, then cut to your heart’s content!

By Hand

If you’re confident in your drawing skills, you can sketch leaf shapes freehand. Alternatively, you can find leaf templates online or trace real leaves you’ve collected.

I found these leaves courtesy on Freepik. With a sharp craft knife, carefully cut out the leaf shapes you’ve traced. Take your time to ensure clean and precise cuts.

Step 3: Cut Out Banner Paper Shapes from an Old Book

Select an Old Book: Choose an old book with yellowed pages or vintage text. This will add a rustic touch to your banner. Rip out pages from the book.

Cut Out Banner Shapes: Use scissors to cut out the banner shapes. We chose to make a cardboard template for a uniform shape. If you are using a paper guillotine it is 4 1/4″ wide and 7 1/2″ long.

Create the hanging fold: Fold over the top of the flag by 2″ and press. Using a glue stick adhere this folded edge leaving an unglued gap along the folded edge ready to pass jute twine through.

Step 4: Assemble Your Banner Flags (folded pennants)

Use a glue stick or mod podge to attach the cut-out leaves to the book page banners. We have placed one leaf per flag, positioned centrally. Place them under a heavy book as this is a great way to prevent the flags from curling as they dry.

Step 5: Create your banner

Create a Banner String: Cut a length of jute twine or ribbon that suits the size of your banner. Make sure it’s long enough to hang comfortably.

Attach the Banners: Thread the twine or ribbon through the top of each flag, I used a long upholstery needle to help thread the piece of twine through.

Hang Your Banner