Materials for The Offering Banner

You probably already have many of these materials in your studio. Please use what you have, and feel free to substitute materials that suit your own story and aesthetic. You do not need to purchase every optional item.

Fabric and Paper

• A piece of sturdy fabric for the banner background, such as canvas, muslin, linen, drop cloth, or vintage placemat fabric
• Assorted fabric scraps in different colors, weights, and textures
• Decorative, handmade, printed, painted, or vintage papers
• Old book pages, maps, letters, envelopes, sheet music, or other meaningful ephemera
• Lightweight white or cream cotton fabric for printing photographs (think about an old white sheet from the thrift store)
• A small wooden dowel, branch, or narrow strip of wood for hanging the finished banner
• Cord, ribbon, twine, or fabric strips for the hanger

Images and Inkjet Printing

• Copyright-free, family, vintage, or personal photographs and other meaningful imagery
• Access to an inkjet printer
• Printable fabric sheets
• Inkjet photo-transfer paper suitable for fabric—check the package to be sure it is compatible with your printer and chosen fabric
• One of the following for stabilizing lightweight fabric so it can pass through the printer:
  • Contact paper
  • Regular printer paper and temporary spray adhesive

You may wish to try both direct printing on stabilized fabric and commercial photo-transfer paper. Each produces a different effect, and you do not need to use both methods in your final banner.

Heat Bonding and Assembly

Scissors

• Acrylic Matte Medium
• Steam-A-Seam, Steam-A-Seam 2, or another paper-backed fusible adhesive suitable for fabric and paper
• An iron
• A firm, heat-safe ironing surface
• Parchment paper, a silicone pressing sheet, or the release paper supplied with the fusible adhesive
• Craft knife and cutting mat, if desired
• Ruler
• Pencil or fabric-marking tool
• Brushes for applying adhesive
• A flexible cutting board to tape your fabric to for fusion patches
• Needle and embroidery thread, pearl cotton, or sturdy sewing thread
• Thimble, if desired

Found Materials and Embellishments (optional, but meaningful)

Gather a small collection of objects that may carry visual or personal meaning:

• Buttons, beads, charms, keys, washers, small metal pieces, or jewelry fragments
• Ribbon, lace, trim, yarn, twine, cord, or embroidery floss
• Stamps, stencils, ink, paint, pencils, crayons, or markers
• Natural materials such as small sticks, seedpods, shells, or feathers
• Words, handwritten notes, quotations, symbols, or small personal keepsakes
• One small element that might become your “offering”—a word, wish, promise, gratitude, intention, or blessing

Specialty Materials used in the videos

• Kantha Scarves
• Milagros

Helpful Extras

• Apron or work shirt
• Protective table covering
• Paper towels or studio rags
• Small containers or trays for sorting materials
• Phone or camera for photographing possible arrangements before attaching them
• Good ventilation when using spray adhesive; follow the manufacturer’s safety directions

The most important materials are those that interest you and seem to hold the beginnings of a story. Bring more possibilities than you think you will need—but remember that the banner itself can remain selective, spacious, and focused.