Homemade Banner with Sombre Technique

Hi ya, crafty friends! Hope your summer so far has been filled with lots of late night projects! It’s been so hot lately, I am definitely taking advantage of creating indoors in the evenings. In fact, I made this fun homemade banner intended for my backyard, but it’s been so hot and humid I decided to enjoy it inside until it cools down a bit. Ha!

So… I am dying to know. Have you heard of sombre yet?? Sombre is the new ombre these days. It’s actually very similar to ombre, it just means an ombre pattern with a softer feel. Instead of harsh lines, you want to blend your paint more, allowing for a natural progression of color choice. You may already be creating a sombre pattern without even knowing it! This fun sombre homemade banner is fabulous for inside or outside use, or just to pull out for parties on special occasion!

Sombre Homemade Banner Supplies:

• Darice Wood Pennant Banner Set 
• Darice Wood Triangle Banner Set
• Darice Studio 71 Paint Brush Set
• Wood Stain in White, Black, and Gray

To get started with your homemade banner, first open your packaging, and decide which order you want your pennant pieces and colors to go in. This project uses two different shaped pennants so I staggered my pieces so that they would rotate back an forth, and have my colors rotating in thirds.

Next, use your paintbrush to give each pennant piece a thin coat of stain. Allow it to completely dry, then give it a third coat of paint on the bottom 2/3 of each piece.

Repeat this process decreasing the amount of area painted each time. I would suggest 4-5 coats of paint or stain in total, depending on the colors you choose. You should also smooth with your brush after each coat and gently blend the paint giving it that sombre feel.

Once you’ve painted all the pennant pieces let them dry fully.

When you are done, use the included twine to string your homemade banner. hang it up inside, or enjoy it outside in the sunshine! Be sure to add a varnish or clear finish to it if you decide to use it outdoors.

So pretty! I love how the neutral colors compliment the natural gradation.

This would be a really fun project to make in neons and brights colors as well! Wood stain works best, but you can always water down acrylic craft paints to see that natural wood underneath.

Happy crafting, friends! And let me know if you decide to include sombre in your home decor too!

For another fun way to dress up a pennant banner, check out this super fun pie craft garland that would fit right in at a summer picnic party!