DIY Burlap 4th of July Banner With Craftables Flag Patterned HTV

Make your holiday a hit with this 4^th of July banner with flag patterned heat transfer vinyl!

Summer is in full swing which means the biggest holiday of the season is just around the corner. Whether you’re heading to a party, soaking up the sun at the beach, or celebrating your independence from a boat, you may as well do it in style with a festive 4^th of July banner.   This is an easy project great for beginners and can be completed in less than an hour! It uses both smooth and patterned heat transfer vinyl. All you need to do is grab a burlap banner for a quick and easy project!

Here are the supplies you will need:

• Craftables Smooth Heat Transfer Vinyl (White )
• Craftables Pattern Heat Transfer Vinyl American Flag Print
• Craftables Transfer Tape for Printed Iron-on Vinyl
• Burlap Banner
• Cricut Machine (or Silhouette)
• Cutting Mat
• Craftables Weeding Tool
• Cricut EasyPress and Mat (or Iron and Ironing Board)
• Teflon Sheet
• Craftables Smooth Heat Transfer Vinyl Instructions
• Craftables Pattern Heat Transfer Vinyl Instructions
• Scissors

Step 1: Open up Cricut Design Space and create a new project. Open a square shape and unlock it. Resize it so it’s the same size as your burlap banner piece. Then, copy and paste it 2 times so you have a total of 3 rectangles.

Step 2: Open up a text box and type the letter “U”. Then, change the font to “American Typewriter”. Resize the letter to fit inside of the banner. I resized mine to 3” wide. Then, change the color to white.

Step 3: Copy and paste the “U” and change it to “S”. Click on the “S” and change it to white. Repeat this step to create the “A”. Select each of the rectangle and delete them. These are just to help get an idea of letter sizing.

Step 4: Open up a star shape. Resize it to 2.9” wide, copy, and paste it. Resize the copied star to 2.4” wide, copy, and paste it. Resize the copied star to 2.04” wide. Rearrange all of the stars so they are closer to each other. Then, select all 3 stars and copy and paste it three times. Click “Make it”.

Step 5: Mirror “USA” and click “continue”. Then, select “Iron-on from the material options.

Step 6: Place the white heat transfer vinyl on the cutting mat with the liner side facing down. Then, add it to your Cricut (or Silhouette) machine to cut.

Step 7: Click on the material options and change it to “Printable Iron-on – Light" you may need to add more pressure if you have an older blade. Place the patterned vinyl on the cutting mat with the pattern facing up. Then, add it to your Cricut (or Silhouette) machine to cut.

Step 8: Trim down all of the vinyl designs and weed the negatives.

Step 9: Cut a strip of patterned vinyl that has just the stars and stripes on it. You’ll need to cut 2 of these.

Step 10: Lay the patterned strip on top of your burlap piece and trim it so it’s the same length (Mine was 5” wide”). You’ll need a total of 3 of these strips.

Step 11: Arrange your banner so you have a total of 7 burlap pieces hanging down. To add the heat transfer vinyl to your burlap banner, heat up your EasyPress (or iron) to 315 degrees. Heat the second banner piece for 5 seconds. Add the “U” to the center and heat for 30 seconds applying medium to medium firm pressure. Flip the banner over and heat for an additional 30 seconds. Let the liner cool and then peel it off. Add the “S” and “A” the same way, but be sure to leave a banner piece in between each letter. If your design is not completely adhered, place the liner back down and heat if for a few more seconds until it sticks.

Step 12: Cut a piece of transfer tape for printed iron-on vinyl slightly larger than the star design. Use a squeegee to firmly apply the transfer tape to the design and remove the release liner from the back of the design. Heat the first banner for 5 seconds. Add your star design to the center and heat for 30 seconds applying medium to medium firm pressure. Flip the banner over and heat for an additional 30 seconds. Let the transfer tape mask cool and then peel it off. Repeat this to add the star designs to the remaining burlap flags.

Step 13: Cut a piece of transfer tape for printed iron-on vinyl slightly larger than the hand cut designs. Use a squeegee to firmly apply the transfer tape to the design and remove the release liner from the back of the design. Heat the top of the second banner above the “U” for 5 seconds, making sure not to touch the “U” with the EasyPress. Add your flag strip to the top and heat for 30 seconds applying medium to medium firm pressure. Flip the banner over and heat for an additional 30 seconds. Let the transfer tape mask cool and then peel it off. Repeat these steps to add the remaining flag strips to the banner.

There you have it, a fun and festive banner to display this 4th of July! If you don’t have an electronic cutting machine like a Cricut or Silhouette, you could use scissors to hand cut all of the elements. All you would need to do it print off letters and star shapes and cut them out. Then, trace them on the white and patterned vinyl, cut them out, and iron them to your burlap banner. Have fun and get creative!