Here is how to make pennant banner decorations in the simplest way: cut matching triangles about 5 in wide and 7 in tall (13 x 18 cm) from cardstock, felt or fabric, then thread or glue them onto string about 1 in (2.5 cm) apart. At that size and spacing you need 2 flags for every foot of banner, so a 6 ft banner takes 12 flags and about 30 to 45 minutes in paper.
The rest of this guide covers the sizing math, the differences between paper, felt and fabric, and three ways to string the flags. If you would rather skip the cutting, two ready-made kits are described near the end.
What is a pennant banner?
A pennant banner is a row of small flags, usually triangles, hung point-down along a string, ribbon or tape. You will also see it called bunting, a flag garland or a triangle banner. It is used over dessert tables, across walls and doorways, along mantels and on classroom bulletin boards.
Pennant vs banner: what is the difference?
A pennant is a single flag that tapers to a point, like the long felt triangles used for teams and schools. A banner is the broader word: any strip of paper or cloth made for display, including a one-piece printed sign. A pennant banner combines the two, with many small pennants strung together into one garland.
Pennant banner size: how big should the flags be?
Match the flag to the distance people will see it from. These sizes are common starting points, not standards:
- Mini, about 2 x 3 in (5 x 8 cm). Cake toppers, shelf edges, dollhouse and gift-wrap garlands.
- Standard, about 5 x 7 in (13 x 18 cm). Mantels, dessert tables, doorways and bulletin boards. One letter fits comfortably on each flag.
- Large, about 7 x 9 in (18 x 23 cm). Long walls, fences, porches and rooms where guests stand well back.
Triangles that are taller than they are wide read as classic pennants. A height of roughly 1.2 to 1.4 times the width is a common proportion; a short, wide triangle looks more like a festival flag.
How many flags do you need?
The arithmetic is simple. Add one gap to the decorated length, divide by the flag width plus one gap, and round down:
Flags = (decorated length + gap) ÷ (flag width + gap). Example: a 72 in span with 5 in flags and 1 in gaps is 73 ÷ 6 = 12.2, so 12 flags.
The table below does the math for common banner lengths. “Decorated length” is the part covered by flags, not counting the tails you tie with.
| Decorated length | 5 in flags, edges touching | 5 in flags, 1 in gap | 7 in flags, 1 in gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 ft (36 in, 91 cm) | 7 | 6 | 4 |
| 6 ft (72 in, 1.8 m) | 14 | 12 | 9 |
| 8 ft (96 in, 2.4 m) | 19 | 16 | 12 |
| 10 ft (120 in, 3 m) | 24 | 20 | 15 |
| 16 ft (192 in, 4.9 m) | 38 | 32 | 24 |
For string, cut the decorated length plus 12 to 18 in (30 to 45 cm) of tail at each end. If you want the banner to hang in a soft curve, add about 10 percent more; a 6 ft span then needs roughly 9 to 10 ft of string in total. Cut two or three spare flags as well, since one usually gets creased or smudged.
Paper, felt or fabric: which material to use
| Material | Tools | Edges | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cardstock or scrapbook paper | Scissors, hole punch or glue | Clean cut, no finishing | One-day parties, classrooms, lettered banners |
| Craft felt | Sharp scissors, large needle or glue | Does not fray | Nurseries, playrooms, banners you pack away and reuse |
| Woven cotton or burlap | Pinking shears, iron, fusible web or sewing machine | Frays unless pinked, fused or hemmed | Keepsake bunting, rustic and outdoor-style setups |
How to make a paper pennant banner
What you need
- Cardstock or double-sided scrapbook paper. Cardstock around 65 lb (176 gsm) hangs flat; thin printer paper tends to curl.
- A ruler, a pencil and scrap card for the template.
- Scissors or a paper trimmer.
- A hole punch, or a glue stick or double-sided tape.
- Twine, baker’s twine, yarn or narrow ribbon.
Step by step
- Draw the template. Rule a 5 in line, mark the midpoint at 2.5 in, measure 7 in straight down from it and connect that point to both ends of the line.
- Trace and cut. Along a 7 in tall strip of paper, alternate triangles point-up and point-down so they share sides. A letter-size sheet (8.5 x 11 in) gives three flags this way; cutting them one by one from the corner gives only two.
- Decorate flat. Add one letter per flag for a name or message, or leave patterned paper plain. Count the letters and spaces before cutting so you know the flag total.
- Punch. Make two holes about half an inch (1.3 cm) down from the top edge and half an inch in from each corner.
- Thread. Go in through the front of the first hole and back out through the second, so the string runs behind the flag and stays hidden.
- Space. Slide the flags until the gaps match, using a finger width or a 1 in scrap as a gauge.
Adult supervision: scissors, hole punches and needles are jobs for a grown-up or an older child. Younger kids can do the decorating once the flags are cut.
How to make a fabric pennant banner
To make a pennant banner out of fabric, use the same template and the same flag count. What changes is how you treat the edges and the top.
No-sew fabric and felt methods
- Felt. Cut the triangles and you are done; felt edges stay clean. Cut two small slits near the top corners and thread the cord through with a large blunt needle, or glue the top edge to ribbon with fabric glue.
- Pinked cotton. Cut single-layer triangles with pinking shears. The zigzag edge slows fraying enough for indoor party use.
- Fused double layer. Iron paper-backed fusible web between two layers of fabric, then cut the triangles. The flags come out stiff, printed on both sides and sealed at the edges.
- Fold-over top. Add 1 in to the top of the template, fold that tab over the cord and fix it with fabric glue or iron-on hem tape.
Sewn bunting
For a banner meant to last, place two triangles right sides together, stitch the two long sides, turn right side out and press. Slip the raw top edges into the fold of double-fold bias tape and stitch along the tape, leaving a tail of tape at each end for tying. A strip of fabric 7 in tall cut across a bolt about 42 in wide gives roughly 15 single triangles of 5 in width when you alternate them, so plan on twice the strip length for double-sided flags.
How to string a pennant banner
There are three common ways, and the choice decides whether you can adjust the spacing later.
- Two punched holes. Flags slide freely, so you can bunch them for a short shelf or spread them across a wall. Thin, slick ribbon lets flags drift toward the low point; twine grips better.
- Fold-over tab with glue or tape. Flags stay exactly where you put them and no holes show. Mark the spacing on the string first, because you cannot move them afterward.
- Clips. Mini clothespins hold flags on twine with no punching or glue, and let you swap flags between occasions.
Whichever you choose, start from the center flag and work outward so both tails end up the same length. If you are using ribbon, our gift ribbon guide explains which widths and finishes knot well.
How to hang a pennant banner
Tie or tape each tail to a removable hook, and let the string dip slightly instead of pulling it tight; a taut line makes paper flags tilt and twist. Add a third support in the middle for runs longer than about 6 ft. On a cork board, push pins through the string hold a short banner well, as covered in the decorative push pins guide.
For painted walls, wallpaper, brick and rentals, see our full guide to hanging party banners without damaging walls, which compares hooks, tapes and putty by surface.
Pennant banner ideas
- Name or age banner. One letter per flag, with a blank or patterned flag between words.
- Three-shade ombre. Repeat light, medium and dark versions of one color along the string.
- Photo timeline. Glue one small photo per flag for a first birthday or graduation.
- Highchair or cake banner. Mini 2 x 3 in flags on baker’s twine tied between two paper straws or skewers.
- Layered swags. Hang a large-flag banner high and a smaller one below it for a fuller backdrop behind the table.
- Classroom board border. Alternate patterned and solid flags along the top edge of a bulletin board.
A banner is usually one piece of a larger setup. The birthday party supplies checklist lists what else to plan around it.
Skip the cutting: ready-made pennant banners
Cutting a dozen flags is a pleasant craft. Cutting them the night before a party is less fun. Both kits below arrive with the flags already cut; you still thread them yourself, which also means you control the spacing.
The blue felt pennant banner has 12 polyester felt triangles, four navy, four medium blue and four light blue, each 5.1 x 6.1 in, with an 8.2 ft string and a plastic needle for threading. The triangles slide along the string, so you can group them or spread them out. Edge to edge, 12 flags cover about 61 in, which leaves around 3 ft of the string for gaps and tying tails. It folds flat for storage after indoor use.
The colorful paper pennant banner has 24 printed paper flags of about 5.7 x 6.4 in with pre-punched holes, plus two 16.4 ft ribbons. You can hang it as one long garland or as two separate strands. The prints mix smiley faces, polka dots, stripes and chevrons in bright colors, so it suits kid-friendly themes more than a minimalist or single-color scheme. It is paper, intended for indoor, short-term decorating.
For more to match, browse party decorations or our picks for colorful birthday decorations.
Step by step
- Measure the space and count the flags
Measure where the banner will hang. Divide the decorated length plus one gap by the flag width plus one gap; with 5 in flags and 1 in gaps you need 2 flags per foot.
- Make a triangle template
Draw a 5 in line on scrap cardstock, mark its midpoint, measure 7 in straight down from that point and connect the three corners. Cut it out and use it to trace every flag.
- Cut the flags
Trace the template on cardstock, felt or fabric, alternating point-up and point-down so the triangles share edges. Cut along the lines with sharp scissors or a paper trimmer.
- Decorate flat
Add letters, stickers or paint while the flags lie flat on the table, and let glue or paint dry completely before stringing.
- String the flags
Punch two holes near the top corners and thread the string in through one hole and out through the other, or fold a top tab over the string and glue it down. Leave 12 to 18 in of bare string at each end.
- Space and hang
Lay the banner on the floor, even out the gaps, then hang it from both ends with a slight drape. Add a center support for runs longer than about 6 ft.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best size for a pennant banner flag?
For most rooms, a triangle about 5 in wide and 7 in tall is easy to read and fits a single letter. Go down to about 2 x 3 in for cake and shelf garlands and up to about 7 x 9 in for long walls or outdoor-style setups. These are common starting sizes, so scale them to your space.
How many pennants do I need for a 10 ft banner?
With 5 in wide flags spaced 1 in apart you need 20. With the same flags touching edge to edge you need 24, and with 7 in flags spaced 1 in apart you need 15. Remember to add 12 to 18 in of bare string at each end for tying.
What string works best for a pennant banner?
Cotton twine, baker's twine and jute grip punched paper flags and hold a knot, which keeps the spacing in place. Satin ribbon looks dressier but is slippery, so flags can slide toward the middle; a small piece of tape behind each flag fixes that. For sewn fabric bunting, double-fold bias tape is the usual choice.
Can I make a pennant banner without sewing?
Yes. Paper and felt need no sewing at all, and cotton can be cut with pinking shears or bonded in two layers with iron-on fusible web. Attach fabric flags by folding a 1 in top tab over the cord and fixing it with fabric glue or hem tape.
How do I keep the flags from sliding or flipping over?
Punch two holes per flag instead of one; a single center hole lets the flag spin. If threaded flags drift, put a dot of glue or a bit of tape where the string crosses the back. Hanging the string with a slight dip and using cardstock instead of thin paper also reduces curling and twisting.
How long does it take to make a pennant banner?
A 12-flag cardstock banner usually takes 30 to 45 minutes including the template, less if you cut with a paper trimmer. Felt takes about the same. A sewn, double-sided fabric banner is an afternoon project because each flag is stitched, turned and pressed.
Do the ready-made pennant banners come assembled?
No, both are threading kits. The blue felt banner includes 12 triangles, an 8.2 ft string and a plastic needle; the colorful paper banner includes 24 pre-punched flags and two 16.4 ft ribbons. Threading them yourself lets you set the spacing for your wall or table.
