How To Make A Multi-Message Banner

  • made from second hand cotton duvet cover, ripped open along seams, hemmed as needed. Sewed generous  pole slots at each end. Ours is approx 4.3 x1.4m
  • banner dyed bright orange  (Dylon machine wash dye)
  • strong bamboo canes for pole slots
  • bought 2 x 25m roll of 25mm wide sew-on loop velcro (the 'furry' side) from hookandloopfasteners.co.uk
  • used 38cm high FUCXED CAPS letter templates so top to bottom edge of a set of 6 tramlines  is 38cm
  • pinned velcro tramlines in place along the middle then machine sewed down both velcro  edges on 2x 6 rows of 4 m long 'tramlines' (approx 20cm gap at each end of banner)

LETTERS, NUMBERS AND PUNCTUATION

  • used a set of card templates
  • found a black fabric that wouldn't fray when cut, (so no need to hem, which would take ages) and  had a bit of stiffness to it. This is needed as letters only have a few attachment points and you don't want them to flop. Ideally material  would be lightweight and waterproof. We used some artificial velvet with plastic backing found in a local fabric shop. Not perfect as a bit heavy and not waterproof. Maybe oilcloth would work? Other  options considered were thickish felt (but not waterproof), craft foam sheets (plastazote). Tried for recycled material from Scrapstore but no luck there. Plastic backing on the velvet used had BIG advantage of then using stick-on velcro on the back, avoiding huge extra sewing job. Velvet also good as a message can be stuck on banner, then rolled/folded to pack away for ease of transport to action
  • drew round templates with tailor's chalk. Cut out by hand (laser cutting would be quicker)
  • Bought black corresponding 'hook' backing velcro from same company (PS30, heavy duty waterproof adhesive, 20mm wide)
  • Cut backing velcro into 1/2cm tabs
  • Each letter placed plastic side up on  a set of 6 tramlines and velcro tabs stuck on along where they will stick onto the  tramlines.

All letters, numbers, punctuation stored in a set of A3 eco plastic wallets in a second hand suit carrying holdall that fits folded up banner too.

A  4          H  3         O  4          V  3

B  4          I  4           P  4          W  4

C  4          J  2          Q  1          X  1

D  4          K  2         R  4          Y  2

E  6          L  4          S  5           Z  2

F  4          M  4         T  4

G  4          N  4

1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  0

?  ? ! * # #  /  =  +  .  .  . '  '  '  -

Also degree symbol and XR symbol

TIPS FOR USE

  • Simplest way to stick msg on is put banner on clean floor,  lay out letters, etc velcro- side up into right position then turn them over to stick in place
  • With the velvet you can stick a msg on and roll/fold banner up to carry
  • For speed a 2nd msg can be prepared in advance and carried in spare A3 folder
  • To change msg ideally put banner down on dry, clean ground
  • The carry bag has  spare velcro tabs for any additional sticking down
  • Banner heavier than usual, better held with  2 on end poles  1 in middle
  • Be careful in very wet/windy conditions as heavier so more prone to ripping

If used in rain please ensure banner and any wet letters, etc are fully dried out before being stored away.  Wet letters can be temporarily stored in one of the empty A3 plastic wallets until you get back to base

If ever an additional letter/symbol is needed (eg an amazing msg that needs 3 Qs) keep  templates and some spare velvet material available

POSSIBLE DESIGN IMPROVEMENTS

Mesh banner (so less problem in wind)

Or banner fabric strong enough to have wind slits cut in

Find a  lighter weight , water resistant material for letters

Find a banner material that could have velcro tramlines stuck on (would be so quicker than the sewing we did)

Banner may need  rope through top hem as wet cotton stretches and top hem may sag with extra weight of letters

If you need further information contact us on Mattermost @melclarke

Love and Rage  Bath XR