Add color in a snap: How to make a banner from felt

A festive banner made from bright colors livens up any room, whether you're decorating for a party or just adding to everyday decor. Purchase any color of felt sheets at a craft store, or use pieces from previous felt crafts. Make the triangles as big or small as desired, and add more felt balls to lengthen the hangings.

Although this banner looks great hanging across a wide surface such as a bookshelf, do not hang it across a fireplace mantel when the fireplace is in use; felt is highly flammable. Likewise, do not hang the banner in a nursery; it can present a choking hazard if it accidentally falls down. However, you could hang the banner over the head of an older child's bed to add color.

Materials
- 6 pieces of felt, 4 by 6 inches each
- Scissors
- Hot-glue gun
- Hot-glue sticks
- Felt balls of colors matching the squares, 1/2 inch in diameter
- Empty bowl
- Needle and thread
- Colored twisted cotton cord or twine

1. Position one felt piece so it is longer from top to bottom. Fold it in half as if you were closing a book, with the crease on the right side.

2. Position the scissors at the bottom of the crease. Cut toward the left through both halves at a 45-degree angle until you reach the opposite side, 1 1/2 inches down from the top. Unfold the felt.

3. Run a line of glue across the triangle 1 1/2 inches down from the top. This is where the parallel sides end. Fold over the top of the triangle so the top edge just covers the glue. Gently press down and let dry. Flip over the triangle.

4. Repeat steps 1 through 3 for as many felt triangles as desired.

5. Fill the bowl with felt balls.

6. Double-thread the needle and tie it in a double knot at the end. Thread one ball onto the needle and gently draw the ball down until it meets the knot. Tie a double knot where the thread exits the ball.

7. Tie a double knot 1 1/2 inches above the first ball. Slide a second ball onto the thread, double-knotting where the thread exits the second ball.

8. Loop 1 inch of thread down to the top of the second ball. Hold the loop in place as you double-knot above the second ball. You should have two balls hanging from a top loop. Cut off the excess thread.

9. Repeat steps 6 through 8 for as many two-ball hangings as desired.

10. Cut off a length of cord equal to the desired length of the banner plus 12 inches. Tie a double knot 6 inches in from one end of the cord. Slide the cord through a triangle, and then through the loop of a ball hanging. Alternate triangles and balls until you reach the desired length of the banner.

11. Tie a double knot 6 inches in from the other end of the cord. Hang the banner on removable hooks.