This DIY post is specifically for a purchased craft kit that you can find on my Etsy shop.
If you have seen my Etsy shop or have made your way over to my shop on this site here, you have seen the wide variety of felt banners that I sell.
Making this kit goes beyond just a craft. While making the banner, you and your child will have made precious memories that you get to relive year after year as your craft becomes a decoration and a true part of your family’s Thanksgiving traditions.
Turkey Banner Craft Kit
Step One: Purchase Your Craft Kit and Gather Your Supplies
You will first need to purchase your DIY Kit from my Etsy Shop HERE
There are also other craft kits in my Etsy shop with instructions in my blog here if you would like to see other whimsical crafts to try.
In this purchased kit you will receive:
- One Precut Tan Felt Banner
- Five Precut Felt Leaves
- Precut Felt Turkey Body: In Two pieces (brown and dark brown)
- Precut Felt Feathers: In Maroon, Red, Pumpkin Spice Orange, and Orange
- One Yellow Precut Beak
- One Red Precut Gobbler
- One Black Hat
- Precut Felt Squares
- Orange and White Twine
- Dowel Rod
- Adhesive Not Included
Additional Information:
- Banner is about 8.5 x 9.5 inches in size
- Banner has precut holes to thread the wooden dowel through
- Dowel Rod is 10 inches in length and 0.25 inches in diameter
*Additionally you will need adhesive to hold your project together.
As an adult crafter, I prefer using a glue gun; however, if you would like to make this a more child-friendly project feel free to use felt glue.
A glue gun provides a shorter waiting time for drying, allowing your project to be finished sooner. (Which is nice when photographing step-by-step directions)
Felt glue will work fine, but there may be delayed crafting as you wait for the glue to dry. Delays will mean that the banner should dry before it is hung. Look on the directions of your chosen felt glue for more details.
It is up to you, so long as you do this craft safely and have fun.
Step Two: Attach the Dowel to Your Banner
Place the dowel rod through the two holes on the top of the banner.
Once the dowel is through the first hole, twist and wiggle it while pushing it through the second hole.
Step Three: Add the Twine
Attaching the Twine:
First, you want to flip the banner dowel-side up (as in the picture above).
Next, you will be threading your twine through the same holes as the dowel, one side at a time.
Start on One Side 
Thread the Twine through the hole as shown
Once the thread is through, tie it to the dowel.
Wrap the twine around the dowel and make a knot 
Then another to form a double knot for a strong hold
Follow the same steps on the other side of the dowel.
Thread your twine on the other side 
Tie your knots as before 
It will look like this when this step is finished
Securing the Twine to the Back of the Banner:
For this step you will need the two felt squares provided in your kit.
Lift your felt square and add glue to it. Then, place it over top of the knotted twine on the back of the banner. This will hold your twine in place once the glue is dry.
Lift 
Glue 
Stick
**Tip: when placing the square over the dowel and twine, gently fold it over while keeping the banner itself flat. This will ensure that the banner will not have a large crease on the front.
Shortening the Twine After Securing Your Knots:
Simply wrap the twine around the dowel in the front of the banner.
Wrap wrap wrap
Repeat on the other side to keep things symmetrical
Step Four: Layout Your Turkey
Before you add glue to anything, you can layout how you want your turkey to look on the banner; this way, you will be able to make adjustments before you glue things down.
This is totally optional and I didn’t even remember to take a picture of it.
Step Five: Add the Leaf Accents
Gather your leaves 
Lay them out
Glue them down
Building Your Turkey
Step Six: Layering the Feathers
Lay out the maroon feather layer first, starting in the middle of your banner with the first maroon feather to keep the turkey centered BEFORE you glue it down
Each color layer rests in-between the feathers of the layer behind it.
Feathers are finished
Step Seven: Build Your Turkey
Gather the pieces 
Lay the layers in place
Add glue 
Secure the entire layer
Glue on the beak… 
and the gobbler
Add glue to the rim of the hat to attach it to the turkey
Step Nine: Attach the Turkey Body to the Banner
Lay it in place 
Add glue 
Press down to secure 
Someone got fancy with the glue gun
Step Ten: Enjoy!
You did such a great job!
If you purchase this product or create a something inspired by this DIY please share your photos either in the comments below or on Unplanned Whimsy’s Facebook Page HERE because I’d love to see them!
