Crafts + DIY

For some people, Easter is all about the bunny and the eggs. And who doesn’t love a good handful of jelly beans? But for the Christian family, some simple touches can proclaim the true story of Easter to all who enter your home. Try this lovely (and surprisingly simple) DIY banner, perfect for a mantle, large window, entryway or wall. He is risen indeed!

Supply List:

• 6 sheets of cardstock paper
• 6 different fabrics, at least 4 ½” by 9”
  A great way to use scraps, you can use 11 different fabrics (4 ½” square of each)
• 2 sheets of white felt or cardstock
• ½ yd fusible webbing
• 3 yd ribbon or jute twine
• Fabric glue

Create the pattern for this project using a computer and a printer. For this example, we used:

Microsoft Word

Landscape layout

“Cambri” Font in BOLD

Size: 400

Print the following letters for your pattern: H, E, I, S, R, N. You can fit two on a page.

For the crosses, choose one from free clipart and size it to approximately the same size as the letters (about 3 to 3 ½” tall).

Print each letter (cardstock works best) and one cross and then cut them out of the paper. Carefully cut out the letters/crosses and set them aside. (Hint: If you are picky about not seeing any pen marks on your letters, you can trace them right-side DOWN onto the felt. Then, when you cut them out you can flip them over and the “clean” side will be up.)

These are your patterns. Trace them on the felt until you have all the letters you need for the words, “HE IS RISEN” and two crosses.

Cut the card stock into (11) 5 ½” squares. Set aside.

Trace eleven 4 ½” squares onto the fusible webbing. The easiest way to do that is to cut a 4 ½” square out of cardboard or chipboard (cereal box). Then just trace 11 squares. Cut out squares, leaving a margin around your marks. You want to wait to trim it exactly until after you iron it onto the fabric.

Iron each square of webbing onto the fabric. Decide how many of each color you want and then iron on accordingly. THEN, trim around your 4 ½” square marks.

Peel off the paper backing and iron one fabric square onto one of the cardstock squares. Repeat until you have all 11 cards done.

Now the really fun part: shuffle your cards until they are in an order you like. Try laying the cards out in a long line, placing felt letters on as you go. When you’re satisfied with the arrangement, glue down the letters. If you are using cardstock, you have a lot of choices of glue, even Elmer’s. However, if you are using felt, you will need fabric glue. (Hot glue is not recommended. It can bleed onto the front.)

Determine where you plan to display the banner. Hang a piece of long ribbon and let it drape. Add about 1 ft. to tie hooks for hanging. This is approximately the length of your ribbon. (You can always trim later!)

Now fasten the letter cards to the ribbon. Place the first cross card about 6” from the end of your ribbon. Place each card in order— about 1” between the cards and about 3” for the spaces. You have two options:

Sew: Use your sewing machine and stitch about ¼” from the edge of the card, with the ribbon tucked underneath. Be sure to sew through both the card and the ribbon.

Glue: If you prefer (or if you don’t have a sewing machine), you can glue the ribbon to back.

To hang, make a loop on each end and tie a knot. Removable 3M hooks are great for hanging this project!

Now, stand back and enjoy your work. Each time you see it you can remember the cross, the cost and the celebration: HE IS RISEN