Happy Birthday Banner (Free Pattern)

When we were first married, I had this cardboard birthday banner that I used to string across the kitchen for my husband's birthday.  He commented each time I did it how neat it was to have the kitchen decorated for him. 

That cardboard one is long gone.

It was my goal to have a fabric birthday banner made before my son's first birthday. 

Didn't happen. 

Make that his second birthday. 

Umm...didn't happen again. 

Oh well.  It's done now. Fabric scraps is what I used.  A bit of it is upcycled.  I used the ribbons from my brother's plethora of racing medals.  Believe me, he won't notice they're missing.  Makes it a little bit more special having a little sentimental meaning.  Anyway, there's instructions/pattern below so you can make one out of paper, felt or fabric.

I made it red, white and blue not only for our little firecracker's birthday, but so I can turn it around and just use the red, white and blue for other patriotic holidays.

Besides being a bit mixed up from blowing in the wind, I think it was just the little bit of jazz needed for a special someone's first birthday.

Templates for the Happy Birthday Banner found here:

Directions to make three ways:

A) Out of Paper.  Cut triangles.  Cut letters.  Affix letters to triangles with glue/double sided tape.  Hang from ribbon/rope via clothespins/tape.

B) Out of Felt:  Cut triangles.  Cut letters. Affix letters to triangles using hot glue gun, new sew heat n bond or stitching.  Overlap top corner edges on each successive triangle by 1- 1 1/2 inches, pinning in place(see close up photo above for reference). Stitch 1/4 inch from edge.  Stitch ribbon to end of banner to hang.

C) Out of fabric:  Cut 2 triangles. Cut letters.  Applique letters to each triangle using no sew heat n bond/double sided interfacing and zig zag stitching.  Notch corners.  Place two triangles together, right sides together.  Stitch along edges, leaving a 3 inch gap on top. Turn inside out and press.  Hand stitch the top closed. Overlap top corner edges on each successive triangle by 1- 1 1/2 inches, pinning in place (see close up photo above for reference). Stitch 1/4 inch from edge.  Stitch ribbon to end of banner to hang.