How to Personalize a Blank Banner

When you download the design, you will find multiple files. Some are embroidery files and some are dielines files (marked with "DL") that are used to cut the fabric to the correct shape.

Open and print each dieline file using an embroidery software. If you do not have an embroidery software, take a look at our helpful video on using dielines

We also recommend Wilcom's Hatch software which comes in different levels depending on what you'd like to use the software for. Hatch Organizer works well to view your designs, print dielines and templates, change design colors, and create basic design layouts. (This is an affiliate link. We may earn commission on purchases made with this link.)

To make the applique pieces, spray the wrong side of the paper dieline with temporary spray adhesive, and smooth it onto the right side of the fabric.

Cut the applique piece out of the fabric following the paper dieline.

Cut a piece of your fabric and medium cutaway stabilizer larger than the hoop. Spray the stabilizer with temporary adhesive and smooth it onto the back of the fabric piece.

For an optional dimensional effect, you can use a layer of thin cotton batting in between the main fabric and the stabilizer

Hoop the fabric, stabilizer, and cotton batting, if you're using it, together tightly.

Load the embroidery file onto the machine, attach the hoop, and follow the color change sheet to embroider the design. Most designs will start by sewing embroidered details.

Continue to embroider until you have sewn out the first step with "dieline" in the name. This dieline (or outline stitch) marks the area where the applique piece will be placed.

After the dieline has sewn, spray the wrong side of the applique piece with temporary adhesive. Place the applique piece on the hooped fabric inside of the sewn dieline shape.

Place the hoop back on the machine, and embroider the tackdown for the applique piece. A tackdown holds the fabric piece in place for the remainder of the design.

Then embroider the rest of the design.

Once the embroidery design is done, unhoop the design and do not trim the fabric at all.

Measure the open area of the embroidered banner. The size will help you pick a design to customize it with.

Select an embroidery design smaller than the area on the embroidered banner to use for customization. If desired, you can even add multiple designs to the banner.

A printed template of your design is a great tool to position your design. Use an embroidery software to open your design and print a template of all the embroidery designs you would like to use.

On the front piece, position the template where you would like the design to embroider. After it is in place mark the vertical and horizontal axis lines.

Extend and connect the axis lines to make a crosshair that can be used as a guide when hooping.

Hoop the fabric and stabilizer together tightly. Make sure to line up the marked axis lines with the markings on the hoop.

Load the embroidery design onto the machine and attach the hoop. To make sure the design is sewing exactly where you marked, move the needle using the controls in the machine until it is perfectly centered over the center point of the axis lines.

Follow the color change sheet and embroider the design.

After the embroidery is finished, unhoop the design and trim away the excess stabilizer from around the back of the design.

If customizing the banner with more than one design, repeat the steps above to mark the template, hoop, and embroider all the designs.

If needed, you can press the embroidery with a pressing cloth on top. Just make sure it will not ruin your batting if batting is being used.

After pressing, measure 1/2in away from the edges of the design and cut away the excess material. This will leave an even border of fabric around the edges of the embroidered design. This 1/2in border of fabric will be the seam allowance. Feel free to use whatever seam allowance measurement works best for you.

The easiest way to measure and cut the seam allowance around the design is by using a quilting ruler and rotary cutter. If preferred, you can also measure and draw the seam allowance around the outside of the panel, and simply cut on that line with scissors instead.

Make sure to cut the 1/2in seam allowance around all the edges of your banner no matter the shape.

To make the hanger loops, cut two pieces of fabric that are 3.5" wide x 4.75" long. In our example, we are making these out of the same fabric as the banner.

If making the largest size of the banner, you can make three hangers instead of two for it to hang more securely.

Fold the fabric pieces in half along the shorter side. Then pin or clip them along the open side. When folded they should still be 4.75" long.

Sew a seam along the open, pinned side with a .5" seam allowance. Repeat for all the pieces.

Turn the hangers right side out. Press all the hanger pieces flat with the seam on the center back of one side.

Then fold the three hangers in half again with the seam side together. Lay them along the top edge of the panel scene with the raw edge of the hangers matched up with the raw edge of the outer border.

If you use two hangers, place them close to each corner. If using three, place the third in the center.

Sew a seam along the raw edge of all 3 hangers to hold them in place. For best results, sew this at a smaller seam allowance than the one you are using for the rest of the project, so this seam doesn't show. We sewed ours at a 1/4in seam allowance.

To make the back piece, use the front of the banner as a template to cut a back piece of fabric to the same exact shape and size.

Lay the back piece on top of the front piece with right sides together. Pin or clip them together.

Also look at your shape and pick a 4-6in area to leave open for turning. For best results, chose an edge for the opening that is straight and flat along the bottom or lower sides.

Sew the front and back pieces together with a 1/2in seam allowance. Make sure to leave a 4-6in opening along one edge for turning.

Trim off the seam allowance of each of the corners. This will help the banner be a nice shape once it's turned right side out.

If needed, you can also clip the seam allowance around any curves or sides.

Turn the banner right side out through the opening.

Press the edges of the banner so they lay nicely. Make sure to use a pressing cloth. 

Also press the edges of the opening inwards 1/2in.

Hand sew the opening closed. If preferred, you can top stitch along the edges of the banner to close the opening and help it lay nicely.

Hang the customized banner in your home as a beautiful piece of personalized decor. Each banner can show off different embroidery designs featuring the different things each person loves, making this a lovely gift for family and friends.