Making Your Own Graduation Banner

Graduation is a major milestone in a person's life. While it is a solemn occasion during the ceremony, it is also a relief to have accomplished getting a diploma or degree. And celebrating it is even more fun! Try some of these for your next graduation party.

To make your own inexpensive graduation banner that could potentially last through more than one party depending on what you write on it and how it's stored, there are a few things you could do. The first is relatively simple. Go to your local newspaper or education supply store and buy a roll of paper. Then either buy some large letter stencils and markers or a package of pre-cut letters at an office supply store. Then glue on the pre-cut letters or stencil on your graduation message. It could be "Congratulations, Graduate" to keep it generic, or you could personalize it with "Congratulations ______!" If you are absolutely certain that you won't use this banner again, you could say "Congratulations Class of 2009!"

The second, slightly more expensive yet durable route, is to use cloth. But don't worry - there's no sewing involved. Use an old sheet or buy an inexpensive swath of muslin or broadcloth (which is usually anywhere from $1 to $3 a yard). Using fabric glue from the craft store or fabric shop, create a seam by placing the fabric right side down, folding about an inch of the fabric up and glueing the wrong sides down together. After you do this, there are two different options. You could buy iron-on transfer sheets at the craft store, print out each letter or word of your message individually, and iron them on. Or you could buy pellon (or fusible webbing) and create your own pattern by using a font that you like for your letters, cutting them out, pinning them onto the fabric and pellon, cutting that out, and then ironing on the letters. The fusible webbing creates a long-lasting bond and also makes the fabric stiff.

Perhaps a banner isn't the thing for your graduation. Maybe you want something a little more subtle but still would like people to know that there's a graduation party inside. Try a graduation wreath! From a craft store, purchase a foam wreath form. Then either buy some graduation-themed fabric or fabric in your school colors from the craft or fabric store. Cut this into strips and wrap it around the wreath, covering the form entirely. In the scrapbooking department of the craft store, buy some cream colored scrapbook paper and roll it up and tie it with a ribbon and write "diploma" on it for your faux degree. Glue this to the right side of the wreath. To the top, cut a one dimension graduation cap out of scrapbook paper or cardstock the same color as you're wearing to graduate in and glue it on. Make sure that you have a tassle on there! And make sure it's on the top - it's "capping" off the wreath. On the bottom or left side, print out a picture of your school mascot on cardstock and glue it on. There, now you have your own graduation wreath! If you'd like, you can add a Congratulations sign to it going across from side to side or put it on the bottom.

There are a few great stores that you could get your supplies from. JoAnn has fabric, fabric glue, scrapbooking supplies,etc. Hobby Lobby also has all of those things and more. They would be more likely to have any little embellishments that you might want to add, such as fabric paint in place of the markers if you wanted to use fabric instead of paper but still just paint the message on.

All of these projects are quick, easy, inexpensive, and will let you have something unique and handmade for graduation! Above all else, use this article as a springboard for ideas and play around! Add glitter, add sequins, just have fun!