Multi-message velcro banner

How to make a multi-message banner

Did you ever wish you could change the message on your banner? This page shows how to create such a resource.

Free James Brown banner outside Bath Abbey

Make the banner backdrop

• This was made from second hand cotton duvet cover, ripped open along seams, hemmed as needed. Sewed generous pole slots at each end. (approx 4.3m x 1.4m)
• The banner was dyed bright orange (using Dylon machine wash dye)
• Used strong bamboo canes for pole slots
• 2 x 25m roll of 25mm wide sew-on loop velcro (the 'furry' side) from hookandloopfasteners.co.uk
• Each row of text is made up of 6 'tramlines', making a total height of 38cm. This will match up with the 38cm high FUCXED CAPS letter templates made below.
• Pinned velcro tramlines in place along the middle then machine sewed down both velcro edges, leaving approx 20cm gap at each end of banner.

Create a set of card templates

• Use black fabric that won't fray when cut, (so no need to hem, which would take ages) and it also tends to have a bit of stiffness to it.
• Stiffness is important as letters only have a few attachment points and you don't want them to flop. Ideally material would be lightweight and waterproof. We used some artificial velvet with plastic backing found in a local fabric shop.
• Not perfect as a bit heavy and not waterproof. Oilcloth might have been a better option. Other options considered were thickish felt (but not waterproof), craft foam sheets (plastazote). Tried for recycled material from Scrapstore but no luck there. Plastic backing on the velvet used had BIG advantage of then using stick-on velcro on the back, avoiding huge extra sewing job. Velvet also good as a message can be stuck on banner, then rolled/folded to pack away for ease of transport to action.
• Draw round templates with tailor's chalk. Cut out by hand (laser cutting would be quicker)
• Bought black corresponding 'hook' backing velcro from same company (PS30, heavy duty waterproof adhesive, 20mm wide)
• Cut backing velcro into 1/2cm tabs
• Each letter placed plastic side up on a set of 6 tramlines and velcro tabs stuck on along where they will stick onto the tramlines.

Suggest letterset and symbols

• 1 each of Q,X
• 2 each of J,K,Y,Z
• 3 each of H,V
• 4 each of A,B,C,D,F,G,I,L,M,N,O,P,R,T,U,W
• 5 each of S
• 6 each of E
• Numbers 2 each of 0-9
• Symbols ? ? ! * # # / = + . . . ' ' ' -
• Also degree symbol and XR symbol

And here it is:

Tips for use

• Simplest way to stick message on is put banner on clean floor, lay out the letters velcro-side up into right position then turn them over to stick in place.
• With the velvet you can stick a msg on and roll/fold banner up to carry.
• For speed a 2nd message can be prepared in advance and carried in spare A3 folder.
• To change message ideally put banner down on dry, clean ground.
• The carry bag has spare velcro tabs for any additional sticking down.
• Banner heavier than usual, better held with two end poles and one in the middle.
• Be careful in very wet/windy conditions as heavier so more prone to ripping or being caught by the wind.
• If used in rain ensure banner and any wet letters are fully dried out before being stored away. Wet letters can be temporarily stored in one of the empty A3 plastic wallets until you get back to base.
• If ever an additional letter/symbol is needed (eg an amazing msg that needs 3 Qs !!) keep templates and some spare letter material available.

Possible design improvements

Mesh banner (so less problem in wind) or banner fabric strong enough to have wind slits cut in. Find a lighter weight, water resistant material for letters. Find a banner material that could have velcro tramlines stuck on (would be much quicker than the sewing). Banner may need rope through top hem as wet cotton stretches and top hem may sag with extra weight of letters

If you need further information contact us on Mattermost @melclarke or email Mel at hello@xrbath.org.uk

A time-lapse video of the banner in use at the Science Museum