pattern // i have a dream felt banner

Today we honor the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a man who had a dream. He wanted to see a world where every person was treated with the same respect, kindness, and even love that every person deserves. And why do they deserve respect, kindness, and love?

Because they are made in the image of God. Because they are human beings.

Do you share that dream? I'm not gonna lie...it really does feel like a dream. How could this kind of world possibly exist? It seems so far off most days.



But I want to dream of this kind of world. I want a world where I don't have to worry about the safety of my African American siblings and global brothers and sisters. I don't want to think about how there are people who hate other people or are afraid of them just because of how they look or what they think.

I really don't know how this is going to happen. But I know that I want to do my part to be part of making the dream a reality. Even if that just means talking about it. Or crafting about it.

So here's my start. Join me?



You will need:

Wool Blend Felt
Freezer Paper
A Pencil
An Iron
Scissors
Black Embroidery Floss and a Needle
12-inch Skewer or Thin Dowel Rod
Fabric or Craft Glue
String or Perle Cotton

I Have a Dream PDF Template



Trace the template pieces onto the matte side of the freezer paper, then iron it onto the felt with the shiny side down. You'll want to separate the sections of the pattern by the color you want each part to be.

Cut out the pieces and peel off the papers when they're done.



For the heart, you can stitch the face through the paper before you cut it out and remove the paper. After you cut the heart shape, carefully tear the paper away without disrupting the stitches.



Cut a piece of felt to 9x12" or use a standard 9x12" piece of felt. Fold it half and mark a diagonal line from the bottom of the center fold to 2" up from the bottom on the non-folded edge. Cut through both layers to form a point along the bottom of the background banner piece.



Trim off the end of the skewer if you're using this instead of a dowel rod. A utility sheer makes this easier. But you can also skip this step if you want.



Cut four small slits along the top edge of the banner. Fold the top edge down about 3/4" and make a 1/4" cut at the 2", 4", 8" and 10" points.

Slide the skewer through the slits as shown. This will be the back.



Lay the pieces out on the front of the banner. This way you can adjust things as needed before you glue anything down.



Glue the pieces down one by one so that they remain in the correct location.



Tie a string or length of perle cotton to the ends of the skewer on the back of the banner. And it's ready to hang!




It might be a dream to think about a world where everyone values everyone else, but I still think it's possible. And I think it starts with looking at others as people created by God, and then loving every person you encounter just like Jesus does.

It's a start after a bit of crafting, right?



Someday I know this is going to be more than just a dream.