This blog post will show you how to make a felt moon phase banner.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a small commission if you purchase through my link–at no additional cost to you.
I love products that speak to the beauty and intricacy of nature.
The moon, for example, plays a significant role in our everyday lives. Its most important contribution is its influence on the tidal cycle. The ebb and flow of our oceans have been crucial to sea travel and the movement of people and goods for all of human history. (For an interesting read on other ways the moon impacts our life on Earth, check out this article.)
The moon and her phases are also integral to many religions, as well as various other metaphysical and spiritual practices. For example, the Jewish calendar is based on the moon’s cycle, and the moon God plays an important role in Hindu spirituality. For witches and others who practice similar spiritualities, the moon can represent and support different things depending on its phase. (To see more, check out this write-up on the meanings of various moon phases.) Some believe that you can use the light of the moon to “charge” objects or water with the energy associated with a particular part of the moon’s cycle.
And, of course, last but not least—the moon has frequently been closely associated with women and the female cycle. The 28-day lunar cycle and the (optimal) 28-day menstrual cycle have been closely in various societies. While the sun is often labeled as “masculine”, the moon is in contrast linked to the “feminine”.
I’m often drawn to making moon-related projects. Whether that’s a moon embroidery patch to put on a bag, moon phase earrings with polymer clay, or projects like this DIY moon phase banner, I really love all things lunar.
I hope you’ll enjoy making this moon phase banner DIY as much as I enjoyed creating it.
There are lots of ways to modify this pattern!
This moon phase banner tutorial/pattern is simple–think of it as a jumping-off point to make something unique to you! You can use other fabrics, other colors, other threads, etc. You could also try adding a little stuffing inside to make your moons a bit plumper. Add some nicely scented herbs to add a little fragrance to the air.
Maybe you’re good at hand embroidery? Make this moon phase banner with some embroidered designs along the edges.
Of course, you don’t have to make ANY changes if you don’t want to! I like how it turned out, “plain” as it is. I think I’ll make a few more of these as gifts.
The Moon Phase Banner Pattern
I’ve made a simple pattern that’s free for personal use! (You can use it for your small business too, provided you’re making the items yourself and not providing the pattern to a third party for mass production.)
To make a felt moon phase banner you’ll need:
- Fabric: I used sheets of felt for this. I needed five 9″ x 12″ sheets of dark felt and one 9″ x 12″ sheet of light felt. Because we’re not enclosing the seams, you’ll want to use fabric that won’t fray. Felt, fleece and flannelette are all good options for this. If you use something that does fray, you might want to modify this pattern a little to make your seams enclosed. This is the dark felt I used (“smoke” from Michaels) and this is the light felt that I used (“sandstone” from Michaels).
- Thread: One thing to keep in mind is that the seams/stitches will all be visible in this pattern because we’re not turning anything. I used Coats and Clark glow in the dark thread for the moons (which I had never used before!), and then Gutermann invisible thread to attach the moons/loops.
- Sewing Machine: I used a sewing machine for this project. You could also hand sew it. (In the market for a new sewing machine? I love this Brother sewing machine!)
- Other: Scissors, pins, the pattern, and a heat or water-soluble marker for tracing the pattern onto the felt.
Directions
Step 1
Let’s get started! Gather your materials and make sure you have everything you need. Next, print your pattern and cut out the pieces. (Didn’t grab the pattern above? You can download it here.)
Step 2
Next, you’ll need to cut out your pieces. The pattern pieces tell you how many of each shape you need to cut.
Step 3
Set 9 of your dark circles to the side, you don’t need those just yet. You can also set aside the two “loop” pieces. Then, lay out the rest of your pieces-the lighter felt pieces on top of the backing pieces.
Step 4
Sew your moon pieces onto the backings along the “middle” edge. (See picture.) Don’t sew around the outside edge, or your finished product might look a little thick/odd in places.
Step 5
Take your two “loop” pieces. One will be for either side of the banner. Fold each one in half and sew close to the edge.
Step 6
Attach loop one to one of your backing pieces. Attach loop two to a second backing piece as shown.
Step 7
Now put your moon phase pieces down on the dark backing circles. We won’t be flipping these; make sure to lay them down with the right side up.
Sew around the circle. I am doing a 1/4” seam, but you can do a different seam if you’d like
Step 8
Now you’re going to attach your phases. Start with your first moon phase and sew straight down the middle. Stop right before you get to the end, lift your sewing foot, and line up the next phase so when you finish one you’ll go right onto the next one. Do this with all nine moon phase pieces.
Step 9
And there it is! Ready to hang!
Where will you put your banner?
I love this project because it’s so customizable. You can use different colors of fabric, change up the thread (why not try some glow-in-the-dark or metallic thread?!), add embroidery, etc.
This also makes a great gift for the witchy friend in your life!
Did you use this pattern to make something awesome? Let me know in the comments! Or use the hashtags #theserialcreative #moonphasediy on Instagram.
Looking for more fun projects? Check out my other free patterns here!
