Play Ball!!! A Team Banner Tutorial

How to Make a Team Banner Out of Felt
In my neck of the woods 'tis the season for Spring Baseball.  Though my boys aren't playing ball this season, I was asked to make a team banner just like the one I made for Jack's T-ball team last year. Come learn how to make one just like this!

How to Make a Team Banner Out of Felt

I always get a little nostalgic when I make these felt banners. My mom used to make them for my Softball team when I was younger... one of them was the Purple Pandas...such great memories!

Is Spring Ball starting in your area too?  Do you happen to need a team banner for your local little league?? I'll show you how I made mine.  It's all made out of felt and dimensional fabric paint, which means it's cheap and cute. Under $10 for supplies and just a few hours of your time.

This banner can be strung on a rod, for opening day marching purposes or tied to a fence for game day pride. The finished measurements are about 2 1/2 ft X 5 ft.

For a banner like this you'll need:

some of these are affiliate links

Get started on the banner:

 Cut your felt to measure 3 ft X 5 ft.  On the two long sides fold the fabric over 3 inches and pin in place. 
How to Make a Team Banner Out of Felt
 
Stitch about 1/8 in from the raw edge (I used a zig zag stitch).  This will make a casing in the top and bottom which allows you to run a rod through it on the top or bottom if needed, it also adds stability.  Iron out the wrinkles and fold lines with a medium warm iron (steam is good). Too hot an iron will melt the felt so be careful.
Then cut the ribbon into 20 in. lengths and sew them onto each corner and in the middle of the top edge with a zigzag stitch.
Tie on the ribbon - How to Make a Team Banner Out of Felt - Blue Susan Makes


Next: Make the LOGO

Format the Picture 

Find the image you want to copy and insert it into MicroSoft Publisher (it usually comes with MS Word and Power Point) or another similar computer program that allows you to print in "poster format". (your home printer may have this as an option as well)  


In MS Publisher choose "Blank Publication" then "Poster" to set up your page. Edit 3/16: I have a much newer (2013) version of Publisher now. The Poster template that prints 9 pages at a time is "Banner 24 in. x 24 in.'' You can find this template by clicking "Size" the "Page Design" menu

Insert your image and rotate and enlarge it to fill the space as desired.  The "Poster" format will print as large as nine sheets of paper. If you need your logo larger, print the image in two sets and match them up (or select a larger Poster template).  Click "print preview" to see how your image will print on the pages... from here you can get an idea of how big it will turn out as well.  

To save ink, before printing I adjusted the color on the image to be washed out. The "washout" function is found inside the "Format Picture" menu inside "color". On the newer version of publisher change the color of the image by right clicking the picture, select "Format Picture", go to the "Recolor" area of the "Picture" tab, click the gray "Color Scheme" on the drop down menu that says "no color". 

Alternatively, some printers let you choose a grayscale option when printing. Mine won't so I had to go in and recolor the picture before printing.


Print and cut out the Logo

After a couple of printings this is what I ended up with.


Print the Logo - How to Make a Team Banner Out of Felt - Blue Susan Makes


Next, tape together all your papers and cut out the logo as you want it look when finished.


Take each section and cover the back with masking tape circles.
How to cut out a logo from felt - How to Make a Team Banner Out of Felt - Blue Susan Makes

Cut the Logo out of Felt

Stick it onto your accent felt scraps and push down on a flat surface firmly.
How to cut out a logo from felt - How to Make a Team Banner Out of Felt - Blue Susan Makes


You might be tempted to trace around the felt with a pen but don't you'll end up with an inky mess and a sub par line to cut. Instead, carefully cut around all the paper with sharp scissors and you'll get a perfectly cut logo. Carefully remove the paper and fix any imperfections that are bothering you.
How to cut out a logo from felt - How to Make a Team Banner Out of Felt - Blue Susan Makes


Then take the logo and stuck it to another scrap of felt using tacky glue.  I usually lay the logo flat and then lift up sections to apply the glue. That way the image doesn't get distorted you'll have less of a glue mess on your hands.  Note: Tacky Glue (aff. link)sticks felt to felt beautifully but if your banner will ever be sitting in the rain long enough to get soaked the glue may loosen.   Since our league never plays when it's raining, Tacky works! The banner will definitely hold up all year, ours did.

How to cut out a logo from felt - How to Make a Team Banner Out of Felt - Blue Susan Makes

Then I cut around each edge leaving about a 3/8 inch white trim.
How to cut out a logo from felt - How to Make a Team Banner Out of Felt - Blue Susan Makes

Make the Baseballs

 I also made a Baseball to represent each player. These balls are about 5 inches in diameter, I traced a small bowl to get it.


How to make Baseball shapes from felt - How to Make a Team Banner Out of Felt - Blue Susan Makes

To make the lacing, get out your dimensional paint.

How to make Baseball shapes from felt - How to Make a Team Banner Out of Felt - Blue Susan Makes

I drew lines on the ball with pencil where I wanted the lacing to be and with the tip of the paint I made a series of crosshatch lines like this..
How to make Baseball shapes from felt - How to Make a Team Banner Out of Felt - Blue Susan Makes

Pretty soon it looks like this, and before long you'll get the hang of it... it actually goes really fast.
How to make Baseball shapes from felt - How to Make a Team Banner Out of Felt - Blue Susan Makes

Add the Finishing touches 

Set them aside and let them dry. Lastly put the finishing touches on the rest of the Logo.  I just tried to copy what I saw in the image.  I traced the edges of the logo with black dimensional paint.
DIY Felt Braves logo - Blue Susan Makes
Then added the detail to the tomahawk.  The yellow is dimensional fabric paint as well, but make sure to let one color dry before adding another.  I drew the outlines first then filled in the yellow.

DIY Felt Braves logo - Blue Susan Makes

When everything is dry, position it all on your banner and glue away.
How to Make a Team Banner Out of Felt

Next I wrote everyone's name above their ball.  But look, I smeared this one. Not to worry. felt is forgiving.  Don't try to wipe it off, just let it dry.

When it's dry you can carefully peel it up and snip it out of the felt with scissors


 That's better!

Here is the finished one from last year where I added everyone's number made out of felt as well.
How to Make a Team Banner Out of Felt

And that's that!! You'll have all the other parents oohing and aahing over it.  You can do it!!

If you make a banner I would love to see it!!


Like my style? Check out my Blue Susan Etsy Shop where you'll find more beautiful handbags and easy-to-read PDF sewing patterns for sale.

27 comments:

  1. Super cute! Love the tutorial!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you so much!!!! I have looked for something like this for a week. You have saved opening day!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you soooo much for the inspiration. Our banner was a big hit at opening day! Here's the finished product.

    http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2122996&id=1204209803&saved#!/photo.php?fbid=2018988713395&set=a.2018988673394.2122996.1204209803&theater

    ReplyDelete
  4. Here's another link if that doesn't work.

    http://jukebox.lohud.com/photos/popup/index.php?area=Sports&source=citj&offset=2

    ReplyDelete
  5. Nicole thanks for the new link, I couldn't get the first one to work. Your banner turned out so great!!! Great layout too!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for the inspiration! I made my FIRST banner ever! I have a picture of the in-progress here: http://misscascio.blogspot.com/p/crafty-ness.html

    ReplyDelete
  7. thanks for the inspiration here is the one I made for our T ball league http://www.3yearoldfun.blogspot.com/2012/06/blog-post.html

    ReplyDelete
  8. Would a glue gun work as well? I tried fabric glue but it isn't sticking!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A glue gun would work too. I used tacky glue which is thicker than fabric glue I think. Good luck!

      Delete
  9. Thank you so much for your tutorial!
    http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/640x/29/45/c8/2945c88247b8f43b288942a9712421e4.jpg

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That looks really nice! Well done!

      Delete
    2. Hey Kristin. Sorry to have missed this Your Rangers banner turned out amazing. Way to go!! Thanks so much for sharing!

      Delete
  10. Thank you so much for the tutorial!! I am working on my first banner ever and I'm having loads of fun and anxiety at the same time! I've tried using fabric glue too which does not seem to work at all... I'm going to try get some tacky glue if it'll stick felt on felt for sure!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good luck! Tacky Glue is the way to go. Hot glue works too but you have to work fast. Post a link to your photo when you are done. I'd love to see it!

      Delete
  11. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  12. which poster template did you use?? there are several.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Blanca, I have a much newer version of Publisher now and it looks like the Poster Size template that prints out 9 pages at a time is the "Banner 24 X 24" Template. Hope that helps. I will try to update the tutorial. Good Luck!! I hope your banner turns out great!

      Delete
  13. Several seasons later and still using your tutorial. http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/640x/20/43/4f/20434f380e743ea99acb51e665c1552f.jpg

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi
    Looking to make a banner for fate but need something to last the weather as it will hang for several days prior. Any suggestions would be great.
    Ta

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If the banner will hang for several days you may want to consider purchasing a custom banner. If you choose to save money and make it out of felt I would use a permanent fabric glue. I don't have one to suggest though. Perhaps Hot glue would work. Good Luck!!

      Delete
  15. Thanks for the tutorial! Can you provide suggestions on where to get a 6 foot dowel rod? I tried all of the craft stores, and all they have are 3 footers. Thanks!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wasn't in charge of that part I think someone just had one in their agarave but you could also use a pvc pipe you could buy at Home Depot. Good luck!

      Delete
  16. I dont have a printer that will print images on the felt for the logo. Can Staples or Party City do it as well????

    ReplyDelete
  17. I don't think so. If you look back at the tutorial you will see I printed it on paper taped it together, cut it out and taped it to the felt to cut around it. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I need it...LOL
      Thanks so much!

      Delete
    2. What did you use to cut out the inside of the letters like the a

      Delete