Sew a Simple Fourth of July Banner - Out of Paper!

Hanging decorative flag banner for Independence Day is as much a tradition as eating apple pie, and making one for your holiday is a cinch with only a few crafting supplies. This Fourth of July craft was created for Holidash by Allison Czarnecki of Petit Elefant.

I made this one with paper, sewing it together in only about an hour. Did you know you can sew on paper? I didn't, but it's easy and fabulous to work with on your sewing machine.

Here's what you'll need to put together your flag banner:
scrapbook or other sturdy decorative paper

sturdy paper to back the flags

scissors

grosgrain ribbon

matching thread

sewing machine

straight ruler

I used 4 pieces of 12" x 12" scrapbook paper, getting about 5 triangle cuts out of each piece of paper. I backed all the decorative paper triangles with matching triangles cut from brown paper grocery bags, which gave the flags a little weight and sturdiness; they were the perfect durability. I also used 3 yards of grosgrain ribbon which was enough to attach to 14 triangles. If you're going to make more triangles for a longer banner, you'll need more ribbon -- about 6 triangles per one yard of ribbon.

Step 1: Trace and cut out 14 sets of triangles from the scrapbook paper and the brown grocery bags. I made the triangles 5" across the top and two 8" diagonal cuts for the triangle sides, but you can make them any size you want. These sizes make for a small decorative banner but it would be fun to increase the size of the triangles for more pizzazz.

Step 2: Once you have all your triangles cut out, pair the brown paper backing and scrapbook paper together. If any of the triangles don't match up, now is the time to trim them to length with scissors before you start sewing.

Step 3: Sew the long, diagonal sides of the triangles together using your sewing machine's longest stitch length, keeping the tops open. Make sure the stitch goes completely through the paper leaving about 1/8" between your stitch and the edge of the paper. Backstitch at the top and bottom of your straight line stitching so the thread doesn't pull out after repeated use.

Step 4: Now that you've finished sewing all your triangles, lay them out in the order you want them to hang on the banner. If you're using different patterned pieces of scrapbook paper, now is the time to put them in order before you sew them together with ribbon.

Step 5: Line the top of the ribbon up with the top (the flat cut) of the triangles and sew on using a zigzag stitch. Keep feeding the triangles into the machine, one at a time in order, until your banner is completely sewn together. Make sure to backstitch so nothing unravels at the end. Leave at least 6 inches of ribbon on either end of the banner so you have something with which to actually hang the banner.

You're done! Now hang and enjoy!

For more tips on decorating with flags, check out ShelterPop!

Allison Czarnecki is the founder and editor of the lifestyle blog Petit Elefant. She lives in Utah with her husband and two children, and writes daily about -- among other things -- style, home, travel, and family.