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As you know from my Mr. & Mrs. signs, not all DIY projects come out right on the first try. At least in my case, it takes quite a few tries. My pennant banner is yet another reminder of this:
I decided to blog about this after reading Miss Cardigan’s post about her evil DIY napkins. These pennants have been like her napkins in that they’ve been driving me crazy!
It may look like I’ve made progress, but I’m not at all happy with the way this project has gone so far. My intention was to make pretty signage like this:
Not crap, sloppy, second-best signs like this:
Unlike before, I don’t need you tell me the sign is ugly. I know it is! There’s no doubt about that. What I would like, however, is for you to tell me how you made yours, because the thing is (that’s how I start off explaining all of my failed DIY projects), I couldn’t figure out how to get the letters onto each pennant! I wanted pretty letters and the only thing I could think of to get them was resorting to printing each letter out on a piece of paper and cutting it out into a mini-pennant.
Blah!
Definitely. Not. Going. To. Work.
I’ll admit the problem is not only the lettering, but the card stock, too. It reminds me of NASCAR, which is not at all what I had in mind. Obviously. Either way, this project is still unchecked on my list, because it’s not done until it’s done right.
I promise to get this right and report back pretty, inspiring projects! Fingers and toes crossed!
Are there any DIY tasks that are driving you crazy?
maybe buy individual, stand-alone letters. you can see my collection of them in this post:
http://www.weddingbee.com/2010/12/02/wedding-banner-diy/
sooo easy- michael’s always has a ton of great options- hobby lobby too
I definitely don’t think it looks bad! It’s cute! I have to say, though, this post made me nervous because the next project I plan on tackling is a pennant banner! I hope mine’s not evil like yours! 
I don’t have any advice because I haven’t ever made one either, but I really do think it’s cute!
I actually don’t think your pennant banners loom bad at all. I can definitely see them hanging at your venue and lookin very nice. However I do see one tiny thing, the wholes in the pennants look a wee bit crooked. When you print the letters out have you thought about cutting out each letter? It’d take some time but might give you the look you are going for. Good luck!
i don’t think it looks bad at all! is printing directly on the cardstock and then cutting out the pennants not an option?
I would suggest buying stickers or chipboard letters, and then attaching them to the pendants. Check the scrapbook section of any craft store. However, I think the pendants themselves look fine. If you don’t like the cardstock you are finding you could always back regular scrapbook paper with colored cardstock.
I really don’t think it looks that bad!
If you don’t like the paper-lettering, how about finding some large script letter stamps, and stamp on the letters to the fabric? I think that may give you the look you’re looking for.
Also, the ribbon in the inspiration pics looks thicker and/or more yarn-like than the ribbon you’re using. Maybe you should try a different ribbon?
I hope this helps! Good luck!
Aw, I actually like your banners - I think they’re really cute!
Maybe they look different in person, but from your photos they look fine! Actually the last picture you included of banners that you previously noticed, looks very similar to your own.
Even if you do end up doing them over, your first try was pretty amazing!
*whoops, didn’t see you’re using cardstock instead of fabric, your paper looks very pretty! lol
I think they look really cute too! If I was going to tackle the project, I might print the letters onto clear sticky paper, and then cut out and stick them on. I don’t think you would have to cut them too carefully since the paper is clear, but I have no idea how the final project would turn out. You can get that paper at Staples or Office Max. Good luck! But, this is definitely not a fail. It’s like, a high emerge!
It’s the ribbon!!!!
Sorry I just looked again, really trying to analyze what could be off (because like I said, I liked them!).
It’s the ribbon!!!
Maybe if you use a thicker ribbon, perhaps a different, heavier material??
I like them too! I dont really see why you think they look bad! I think they are really cute!
brooch, i applaud you for sharing your diy adventures here on the bee - you give me the confidence that diy projects aren’t always smooth sailing, which will help keep me sane as i start on ours in a few weeks.
the pennant background pattern is sweet. perhaps updating the lettering to sparkly silver or gold would be fun?
I would suggest a different heavier font so that is shows up better. Or cut the letters out rather than having them with a paper border (so the background pattern just shows around the letter - rather than the paper).
This is my signage DIY (which I sold to another bee after the wedding) - it’s not the pendant shape but maybe it could help you get some ideas: http://diy.weddingbee.com/topic/lettered-sign
I think they look very nice. I agree with a couple of PPs, I would have used precut letters from a craft store but that’s probably because I would have never thought to print them. I would use them if I were you.
these are kind of cute, ackshually.
Circles! That makes it way easier. I copied this one I saw on etsy and made a halloween banner.
It was so easy I made a Chirstmas one too and now I’m using the same system to make a whole bunch of banners for the wedding. I have the Word templates I used to make the circles. PM me and I’ll happily send them to you.
I dont think they look that bad actually! way better than the Mr and Mrs signs but the only place i think you could improve, to make them look more like your inspiration photos, is to use thick ribbon. something that is 1-2in thick and will pinch in a pretty way when you pull it thru the little holes in the corner of each flag. i also think that you don’t like them cuz you’re not seeing the bigger picture. try looking at them and then looking at your inspirations photos but ONLY LOOK AT THE BUNTING AND NOT THE SURROUNDING DETAILS. then you’ll see yours is pretty much on par with the ones in the photos! just the thicker ribbon is all it needs. also, try doing a mockup for yourself which will also help you see the bigger picture. good luck!!
I used letters from a free Martha Stewart download and cut them into circles for mine:
http://www.marthastewart.com/article/clip-art-craft-festive-garland
or
http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/article/click-print-banner
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Mrs. Brooch, Arlington, VA Age and Occupation: 25, Writer/Editor Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Front Desk Manager Engagement Date: October 3, 2009 Wedding Date: April 2011 Venue: Oxon Hill Manor About Me: I’m an indecisive girlie-girl with a motor mouth, can-do attitude, and knack for making others laugh. I dream of becoming a best selling novelist like Elizabeth Gilbert or Julie Powell (a girl can dream, right?), and love long road trips, a beautiful countryside, music, blogs, books, and all things vintage/thrift/antique/or homemade. I’m a Virgo, i.e. overly sensitive, emotional, and critical, and there’s no such thing as short and sweet in my world. I want to say and do it all. Mr. Brooch grounds me. I point where to go and he figures out the way. He’s a pragmatic fancy-pants who enjoys video games and movies. We both adore our mutt, Rocky, and spending time with our amazingly supportive family and friends. We’re planning a garden wedding with a formal reception with lots of whimsy and unique, Southern-inspired details.
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