This giant DIY wall hanging is the perfect affordable party decor with simple and minimal looking decor that still makes a statement! All the tips to make this large wall decor in a hurry!
This post was originally published in July of 2016, and is being updated and republished as part of an effort to make my archives more accessible with clearer tutorials!
A few months ago, I had a run of parties (such a socialite). But really, it was a run of baby showers– because that’s the stage of life we’re in! I was excited to make some special decor for the parties, and it’s high time I shared this one with you.
I am in LOVE with the way this giant banner turned out. We used it as party decor with a floral garland, then sent it home with the mama for wall decor in the baby nursery. I love how simple and understated it is, while still packing a decor punch- it’s so big!
Plus, thanks to my fave material- it’s SUCH cost effective for party decor. It’s affordable compared to filling your wall with a bunch of smaller themed party supplies that you buy pre-made. We love a DIY cost-saver!
It was a fun exercise in hand lettering (I did it freehand, which is probably not recommended) and I learned some things that will make it easy for you to do the same thing! You know I love to letter on fabric and pretty much anything possible AND I’m all about the shortcuts.
So today I’m sharing some tips on making a GIANT wall hanging like this one we made for a party backdrop. But first… let’s talk about how simple this baby shower theme is! It’s purple and neutrals with donuts and wine for a casual girls night baby shower. This is perfect for someone having their second or third (or fourth!) baby who doesn’t want a big baby shower.
We decorated the baby shower with a grey table cloth, this giant DIY wall hanging and some florals in vases. We also printed a photo to frame of the newborn baby and set out all the glassware and donuts in our colour scheme on the party table.
Also… can we just talk about how floral garlands are everything? How much more special does this wall hanging look with a bit of colour up there? Whimsical even ;)
The other piece of decor we had was a welcome sign at the entrance. It’s made out of the leftover material and a few more supplies- you can see the whole tutorial for the DIY chalkboard wreath sign here!
We spent the night passing the baby around, laughing while snacking and sipping wine and laughing together while the new mom opened gifts. It was such a nice time and way more comfortable than other baby showers I’ve attended.
How to Make a Giant DIY Wall Hanging on a Budget
Alright, let’s talk about this giant DIY wall hanging. It’s cloth (I’ll give you 1 guess what it’s made out of), and it’s also perfect home decor. We gifted it to the mama to have for the baby’s nursery decor afterwards since she liked it. We chose to letter a quote by AA Milne, ‘Sometimes the smallest things in life take up the most room in your heart’. You could choose to letter a bible verse or the baby’s name and birth date… anything goes here!
This wall hanging is hand lettered- you could do any design you wanted really but the hard part is painting on fabric without it taking you years to do something this big. If you’ve ever painted on fabric before, you’ll know it takes a lot of paint and it’s slow going to get all those little grooves filled in. So I’m going to introduce you to my secret weapon for lettering on fabric as well.
Start by making your giant wall hanging. I chose to purchase a cloth (unwaxed) drop cloth from the hardware store for this. I cut all the edges off and cut it to size, I didn’t hem the edges but you could if you like! I love how affordable drop cloths are to make home decor with (and party supplies!). It’s such a beautiful neutral colour instead of bright white as well.
Next, sketch out your quote on a piece of paper. I chose to center the design on the wall hanging, but you could play with different layouts. Once you’re happy with it… time to letter on to the wall hanging!
I should recommend that you sketch out your design first in pencil on the fabric. I didn’t… because probably I’m the most impatient crafter on earth. I’m a ‘cut all the corners!’ type of crafter. So don’t follow my example, just do as I say ;)
How to hand letter on a drop cloth
Now here’s where the magic happens… It’s a squeezy tube of paint! I know… not a magic wand. But, what is so great about this is that it doesn’t pull up any of the fibres of the material like a paint brush does. The paint also sits on top this way instead of soaking in like it would if you rubbed it in with a paint brush. I have recommended this type of technique before for lettering on felt and fabric before- it really is such a game changer.
You can buy paint that comes with point tip squeeze lids like this one or you can purchase the screw on pointed tip lids for standard craft paint bottles from craft stores. I love these- it’s much more affordable if you’ll be using this technique more than once. I wasn’t able to find just the caps on Amazon, but these bottles are great as well- just fill them with your most used colours and make sure to keep the cap on when not in use!
Interested in learning how to brush letter, but not ready to commit to a course?
I have a free Brush Lettering QUICKSTART guide and video training you will love!
I went through and lettered the whole piece free hand (like I said, it would have been a good idea to mock up a design before hand on the drop cloth, but as with most parties, I was under a tight timeline) with a thin-line look.
I went back through and added the ‘faux’ calligraphy look by adding a second line and filling it in on all the downstrokes for a thicker look. Make sure to leave lots of space in between your strokes to account for thickening up the down strokes. You can see this same technique used here and here. I prefer to go a few words at a time, thickening it up as I go instead of completing the whole wall hanging, then having to wait for it to dry before I thicken it up.
After you’re done hand lettering your giant DIY wall hanging, cut the canvas to size if you’re finding it’s slightly off centered. I used a long piece of dowel (you can grab these at a hardware store) and hot glued the drop cloth around it for a finished look. Then it was ready to be hung!
So tell me- have you ever tried lettering on raw canvas or fabric before? What are your killer tips?
I’m such a fan of these over sized DIY wall hangings, I’ve put them in a few room makeovers over the past few years. You can see some more giant DIY wall hangings below! I have done hand lettering cut with my Cricut, used drop cloths, off cuts from curtains and even tea towels to make these. I’ve hung them with dowels, rivets or even just plain on the wall! Check them out in these room makeovers!
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Hi!!! What type of fabric did you use for this? And what type of acrylic? I’m inspired! I’m getting married in July and would love to make one.
It’s just a dropcloth! Unwaxed- they can be found at any hardware store. I just used multipurpose craft acrylic.
I love the way this came out! I’m going to keep this in mind as I have to host a baby shower in the near future! I found this site https://www.canvasetc.com/product-category/cotton-duck-canvas-fabric/ they have a ton of affordable canvas to choose from.
Great find! I always leave it until the last minute so find myself grabbing dropcloth… but now I can plan ;)
Hi I love this idea! All really I am very shapely and could not do the lettering myself! My daughter is getting married in October and my other daughter is having a baby girl in November, I would use it for both events! How much would you charge to make for me? Or is that even an option?
Hi Melanie, I would be happy to chat custom work! I will shoot you an email :)
I was wondering if I could order one from you already made! I’m sure too many of you it is simple to do Crafty things but not me I am having to baby showers and a bridal shower in August and September and would love to use this beautiful banner!
Oh my gosh I just realized I messaged you back in July although that message didn’t make sense I wish I was real shapely! Ha ha and if you sent me an email back I don’t recall seeing it so if you don’t mind sending me another one that would be great!
Hi Melanie, I will send you an email!
Hi Colleen! My daughter is having triplets and
would love a banner for the nursery . Thank you!
We passed this one along to my girlfriend for her nursery- the perfect decor!
Love doing DIY. Your detailed instructions for the yard games are perfect !!! I couldn’t find the tutorial for the hand lettered sign about the simple things. Thank You…great information !!
Thanks so much Cindie- let me know if I can help you find one of my tutorials :) There is a search function up at the top of the site as well!
Hello Colleen,
Is there any chance you could email me regarding a custom piece needed by 11/2?
Best,
Paula
Hi Paula, thanks so much for reaching out! I’m not available for large custom orders right now, but thank you so much for asking :)
Hello there! Love this piece so much. The link does not exist anymore. I’m mostly interested in the fabric you used and what you used for the actual lettering — a paint marker? I would so, so appreciate any help!
It’s a drop cloth and then a pointed tip on a paint bottle!
Hey Colleen,
With the link no longer available, what are the wonderful tips you can give for easiest way to letter on a large fabric banner?
Thank you so much…appreciate it!!
Jane
Hey Colleen!
I have been searching around trying to find tips on how to make a banner like this, and I can’t seem to find anything…. a friend asked me to make her one for her wedding in September, and I’m not quite sure the best way to do it. Is there any way you could post the article on your website since it doesn’t exist on Dawn Nicole Designs anymore? Or I would appreciate any tips you have! Also, what kind of paint bottle are you talking about? Did it come with a pointed tip, or did you put one on it?
Thank you!
Annaleise
Ohmygoodness Annaleise, I missed this comment! I do need to rewrite that post, in the meantime- this has more information and a video for writing on fabric! https://www.lemonthistle.com/leather-and-felt-diy-handlettered-pennant-2-ways/
Hi Colleen!
Any chance you have the link to this post? It’s no longer available on Dawn Nicole Designs. I was interested in making one for my wedding!
Hi Taylor, I have been meaning to rewrite this post for my site but did make this video that shares all the ways to hand letter on fabric! This wall hanging is made with a cloth drop cloth, just make sure to choose unwaxed :) https://youtu.be/4aGPcb6p7fo