DIY STUDDED INITIAL BANNER

I have been wanting to make something to hang in our living room wall that added a personal touch to the space. I really like banners and initial things...so this is what I came up with. 

supplies:

canvas material

wooden dowel

craft paint

cotton rope

studs (available here)

paintbrushes

print-out of letters to trace

scissors

sewing machine

Start by cutting out the shape you want your banner to be. I didn't make a pattern - I just placed my letters on the canvas and used them to judge how big to make the banner. Keep in mind that you will be  folding in all the edges about a half an inch to stop fraying. 

Next, cut into all your corners a half-inch. Then fold and iron all your sides in about a half-inch as well. Trim any corners you need to so they don't stick out on the front. After all the sides are ironed down, stitch around the edges, making sure to catch the folded fabric on the back. Then everything will look nice and neat on the front.

Saw your dowel to the right size if necessary. Fold your fabric over the dowel to see how much space it will need to slide into the fabric. Pin that fold over and sew it down, leaving enough space for the dowel.

Trace your letters (or freehand them if you're wild like that). I taped the letters and banner onto a window to make it easier. It also helps you see exactly where you're putting the letters.

Paint all your letters and let dry completely. My canvas wrinkled up when the paint dried, so I had to iron if afterwards.

Lay out all your studs to get the spacing right then start attaching them to the fabric.

Tie your rope onto the dowel and hang it up!