"One Nation Under God" hanging banner...

Independence Day is just around the corner, so I made a patriotic banner for my (conveniently) red front door.  I used my favorite part of the Pledge of Allegiance as inspiration...

It's part of the Red White Blue series at Sugar Bee Crafts!

{Be sure to check out the other patriotic goodness.}

Back to the banner...

This project requires a little straight line sewing and an easy freezer paper stencil.  Here are the supplies you'll need:

2 pieces of canvas cut to 11.25"x 14.5"
12 inch craft dowel
fabric paint
freezer paper
free template
xacto knife
twine
printer & sewing machine

Start by cutting your two pieces of canvas to 11.25 x 14.5 inches.

Then cut a notch in the bottom by making a mark in the center of your fabric 1.5" from the bottom...

...then cut from that center mark down to each corner.

Now sew the pieces together using a 1/4" seam allowance, leaving the top open for turning.

Clip the corners, turn right side out, then press well using a hot iron.

Next, fold the top down 3/4" and sew straight across to create a pocket for your dowel.

(Yes, I left that edge raw.  It's not really going to get much wear-and-tear and I'm lazy.  But feel free to serge it or fold it down 1/4", then 3/4" to encase the raw edge.  This will add bulk, though.)

Now for the stencil...
(If you've never worked with freezer paper stencil before, check out this tutorial for tips.  It should answer most questions you might have.)

Download the template HERE.

Cut a piece of freezer paper 8.5" x 11" and tape it to a regular sheet of copy paper (shiny side down) and load it into your printer so the design will print on the freezer paper.

If it smears, don't worry.  It won't matter.

Cut out the design with an xacto knife.
(Make sure you reserve the center pieces of the O's, A, D and R.)

Then iron the stencil to your canvas banner.

Now paint in each shape with your fabric paint.  It may take two coats.  (You may also get blue paint all over your thumbnail trying to peel the little foam seal-thingy off the top of the paint bottle...)

Since my door is red, I did black lettering with blue stars.  But you could easily do red and blue instead.

Peel off your stencil and let the paint dry.
Then tie on some twine or string for hanging.

Now display your hanging banner on a door or wall...wherever you please.

In Utah, we have two July holidays--Independence Day on July 4th as well as Pioneer Day on July 24th (to celebrate the founding of our state).  It kind of turns into a month-long patriotic celebration, so this baby will be on my front door until August!

stencil with freezer paper (harry potter tee)...

Yes, I am a nerd.

I came up with a brilliant idea for a Harry Potter t-shirt and I couldn't resist.

"Expecto Patronum!"

However, you can make whatever kind of design you want with a freezer paper stencil.  It doesn't have to be Harry Potter related.  (Although it would be awesome if it was.)

I learned about the joys of freezer paper back in my early college days.  

{Turns out you learn all kinds of creative tricks in an art program.  Who knew? :) }

Basically, freezer paper is backed with a plastic coating that will stick to soft surfaces when ironed, but it peels off cleanly and easily.  So you can draw whatever design you like on the paper side, cut it out, and then stencil away on a t-shirt, tote, canvas, pillowcase, etc.  You can find it in the foil/plastic wrap aisle of your grocery store.

To make a sweet t-shirt you will need:

paper & pencil

a t-shirt

freezer paper
a sharpie fine point marker

an x-acto knife

an iron

a piece of cardboard or poster board

fabric paint & brush

Start by drawing your design on some regular old paper.

 My design kept getting bigger, so I taped two sheets together.  You are going to transfer the design to freezer paper anyway, so don't worry about erasing your mistakes.  (If you aren't confident in your drawing abilities, you can print something out and trace it.  But make sure you aren't ripping off someone else's work without permission.  Be cool.)

Next, place your design underneath a sheet of freezer paper and trace it neatly with a sharpie.

  The marker gives your lines greater width making it easier to cut them out and paint them in later.

Now place a piece of cardboard under your freezer paper to protect your table while you cut.  Start by cutting out any "inner" shapes.

Important: Set these shapes aside. DO NOT throw them away!

 You have to iron them onto your shirt later in order to complete your stencil.

After reserving your inner shapes, cut out the rest of your design and trim down the excess paper around the outside. (You can throw these parts away.)

Iron the main body of your stencil onto your shirt.

Then add those little inner shapes to the correct places and iron them down.

Place a piece of cardboard between the layers of your shirt to prevent the fabric paint from bleeding through.  Use a stiff brush to apply your fabric paint.

It may take a couple of coats to get good coverage.

Peel off your stencil while it's still wet, then allow your paint to dry according to package directions. (And some fabric paints need to be heat-set, so read the label!)

Once it's dry, you can wear your custom tee around town.

Perhaps to a showing of Harry Potter?

**Update:  Interested in buying one?  Check my etsy shop.  Convo me if there aren't any in stock!**