DIY Pennant Banner Sewing Tutorial

This DIY Pennant Banner Sewing Tutorial gives easy directions that show how to make a pennant banner. Photos and pennant template pattern included. Great for weddings, showers, & seasonal decor.

The only thing better than giving a handmade gift, in my opinion, is receiving one. A handmade gift takes a little pre-planning and a little time. I don’t give handmade as often as I’d like because I’m not the best at thinking ahead. When I do pull it off and the project actually turns out, it’s like a tiny victory. OK…maybe not so tiny! That’s the story with this DIY pennant banner. I helped host a baby shower and wanted to make something for the baby’s nursery. I’m going to show you how to make a pennant banner, but all you need are the most basic sewing skills. Nothing fancy required…and I’ve even included the pennant template pattern. 

How to Make a Pennant Banner

DIY Pennant Banner materials needed:

• pennant template pattern
• various fabrics
• 1 1/2 in. wide grosgrain ribbon or double wide bias tape
• basic sewing tools such as scissors, pins, iron, etc. 

First thing to do is make your template. To make the pennant template, I simply started with a sheet of paper. I used copy paper so it measured 8.5 x 11 in. but any size paper would work…depending on how big you want your pennants.

Fold your paper in half and then open it back up. Draw a line from the center point at the top to the left bottom corner. Repeat for the right bottom corner. Cut out the triangle. 

Pennant Template Pattern

DIY Pennant Banner Sewing Tutorial

Now it’s time to cut out your pennants. Mix and match your fabrics any way you like. If you are using scraps, trace and cut out the pennants randomly. If you are using new fabric, cut them out like I have pictured in this post on making a no sew burlap banner. 

For this banner, I made 12 pennants so I needed 24 triangles. Once your pennant pieces are cut out, with right sides together and using your presser foot as a guide, sew two triangles together leaving the shortest side open. Repeat with the rest of your triangles. Turn each triangle and press well.

Trim the open end of each triangle so it’s straight. (A rotary cutter and cutting mat are helpful for this step, but not necessary.)

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Don’t worry too much about the points. They won’t be perfect but that’s OK. Remember this is handmade. To get them as pointy as possible, use a Dritz point turner or something similar. Just make sure the tool is not sharp. 

Cut a length of ribbon or bias tape as long as your banner plus 30 inches. That will leave about 15 inches on each end so the banner can be easily hung. If using ribbon, fold it in half length-wise and press well. 

Carefully place the open end of each triangle into the folded ribbon. (Make sure to leave the 15 in. on each end when you are placing your pennants.) Pin each pennant in about 3 places as pictured below.

Using your machine’s zipper foot, sew along the edge of the ribbon so the pennants are firmly attached. By using your zipper foot, you will be able to get the needle to sew neatly along the ribbon edge.

Remove the pins as you go and if needed, pull the ribbon taut to avoid tucks or wrinkles.

Give your DIY pennant banner one last press and that’s it!

DIY Pennant Banner Sewing Tutorial Shopping Sources:

• Dritz point turner
• Fiskars sewing scissors
• Fiskars rotary cutter
• Fiskars cutting mat

As I said, I made this pennant banner for a baby shower gift and used the fabrics featured in the new baby’s nursery. This is a great way to use up scraps. Another option is to get coordinating fat quarter bundles. This DIY pennant banner sewing tutorial can also be used if you want to make a reversible banner. 

There is something charming and fun about banners. If you don’t think they go with your style, add a seasonal banner. There are numerous ways to hang them and any size is possible. They look so nice on a mantel or above an open doorway.

If you don’t sew, never fear. I’ve got you covered! Click the links below for a few no sew banner options.

Reversible Burlap Banner
3 DIY No Sew Christmas Banners

As always, let me know if you have any questions. I hope the sun is shining where you are and that your day is beautiful. See you soon!