If you are looking for an easy, affordable craft project for yourself or your KIDS this is it! This reusable banner uses only a few supplies that you may already have on hand. This project uses compostable and repurposed materials.

Today, I am going to share with you how we made this simple reusable burlap banner with hand-painted hearts for Valentine’s Day. It was actually a homeschool art project last year for our “eco-friendly” art unit. Both the burlap & jute are compostable which makes them the perfect materials for this banner! We tied on pieces of a red t-shirt that we repurposed to add color. Use items that you have on-hand for this project.

This easy-to-make banner can be hand-painted or fabric stamped for any holiday or season! Another option is to upcycle a pair of jeans or linens that have flaws and can’t be used for larger projects. If you have fabric scraps on-hand, making each flag on this banner a different pattern would be amazing as well. (I may have to add that to our project list this year).

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Valentine’s Day Heart Banner

I love Valentines Day, after Easter is my favorite holiday! It is also my wedding anniversary so it’s twice the special day for me! Valentine’s Day also marks just over the halfway mark of winter here in the North Country, so it’s a great way to begin the long second half with some festive fun!

It’s a special day to show those around us, especially our kids, how loved they are! I want to share a post with you that offers “love note” ideas (positive praises) for Valentine’s Day or for everyday use. It comes with a free printable of 60 Thoughtful Lunchbox Notes For Kids – Printable List!

TIPS FOR THIS reusable banner PROJECT

We did mix our fabric paint with acrylic paint (50/50) for a thicker consistency and less chance of cracking or peeling when dried. If using just acrylic you could add a coat of Mod Podge after the final coat of paint has dried.

You will need to apply two coats of paint. Be sure before adding the second coat that your first coat has fully dried.

If using burlap, apply a thin coat of Mod Podge to the cut edges to prevent fraying. We did not do this step last year & our flags did fray from storage. We will add some to the edges now to prevent anymore fraying.

If using other fabric for your flags you may want to cut with pinking shears to avoid fabric fraying.

You can either glue your flags OR sew them to stay on the jute twine ribbon.

MATERIALS TO MAKE this reusable banner

5″ wide Burlap
Jute twine string
Red Paint (we used half acrylic paint and half fabric paint)
Mod Podge
Sharpie marker

TOOLS YOU NEED

Scissors
Paintbrush
Silicone or rubber mat
Heart stencil (we hand made ours by folding cardstock in half cutting half a heart shape and unfolding)
Hot glue or sewing machine

OPtional IDeas for this reusable banner

Kids can use their fingerprints to make a heart shape
Use an ink stamp or cookie cutter in the shape of a heart
Sew or glue on cut out hearts made from fabric scraps
Use vinyl cutouts

time to create your reusable banner

Cut 5 flags (measuring 5 inches wide x 8 inches long)

Cut a V shape on the bottom of each flag (fold in half a inches from the bottom. Then cut down from the center to the corners)

Cut 13 strips of fabric (each 12″ long)

Cut one piece of jute twine string (6 feet long)

Use your stencil to trace out your heart on each flag.

Lay your flags on a silicone mat to avoid sticking when dry. Paint a heart in the center of each flag. Keep in mind the top of each flag will be folded over and glue to your string once they are dry.

Apply a second paint coat. If using burlap, apply a layer of mod podge around each cut end to prevent fraying. Allow to dry overnight.

Fold the top part of each flag over an inch, BE SURE your twine is tucked up to the top so you don’t sew or glue it to the flag. You want to be able to move your flag freely and position it evenly after the ribbons are added.

Take your red fabric and tie 3 of them using a slip knot, in between each flag.

Knot the ends of your twine once you have everything centered and lined up the way you want. Your project is ready to display!

PRINTABLE “HOW TO MAKE” CARD

Earth Friendly KIDS Art-Burlap Reusable Banner!

Yield: 1 banner

Active Time: 2 hours

Additional Time: 12 hours

Total Time: 14 hours

Materials

5″ wide Burlap
Jute twine string
Red Paint (we used half acrylic paint and half fabric paint)
Mod Podge
Sharpie marker

Tools

Scissors
Paint brush
Silicone or rubber mat
Heart stencil (we hand made ours by folding cardstock in half cutting half a heart shape and unfolding)
Hot glue or sewing machine

Instructions

Cut 5 flags (measuring 5 inches wide x 8 inches long)
Cut a V shape on the bottom of each flag (fold in half a inches from the bottom. Then cut down from the center to the corners)
Cut 13 strips of fabric (each 12″ long)
Cut one piece of jute twine string (6 feet long)
Use your stencil to trace out your heart on each flag.
Lay your flags on a silicone mat to avoid sticking when dry. Paint a heart in the center of each flag. Keep in mind the top of each flag will be folded over and glue to your string once they are dry. Apply a second paint coat if needed.
Apply a layer of mod podge around each cut end if using burlap to prevent fraying. Allow to dry overnight.
Fold the top part of each flag over an inch, BE SURE your twine is tucked up to the top so you don’t sew or glue it to the flag. You want to be able to move your flag freely and position it evenly after the ribbons are added.
Take your red fabric and tie 3 of them using a slip knot, in between each flag.
Knot the ends of your twine once you have everything centered and lined up the way you want. Your project is ready to display!

Notes

Depending on what type of fabric you choose, you may need two coats of paint. Be sure before adding the second coat that your first coat has fully dried.

If using burlap apply a thin coat of Mod Podge to the cut edges to prevent fraying.

If using other fabric for your flags you may want to cut with pinking shears to avoid fabric fraying.

You can either glue your flags OR sew them to stay on the jute twine ribbon.

SHOP OUR TOP 8 CRAFT & DIY SUPPLIES

Here are our FAVORITE art & craft supplies that I always try to have on hand. These items will be used in countless craft and DIY projects that we will be sharing with you! I have added the shopping links to the products below for your convenience.

MUST HAVE CRAFTING SUPPLIES

1. Tulip Dimensional Fabric Paint (extra bottles of white for the look of icing)
2. Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint by Plaid (even though it’s very inexpensive we have never had a problem with coverage)
3. Mod Podge Water-based Sealer, Glue & Decoupage Finish (gloss version) & (matte version)
4. Sculpey Polymer Clay – I could do an entire post just on the different things my kids create each week with this amazing clay!
5. Sharpie Permanent Markers – I use these often in my business and now find us using them quite a bit for our projects as well!
6. E-6000 Glue – Using this in a well-vented space for sure! But it works and works very
well.
7. Burlap Roll 5 inches wide – Burlap is compostable which is one reason why I use it in a variety of projects you’ll see here on my blog.
8. Jute Twine String – Biodegradable & environmentally friendly and used in dozens of household projects