We made these simple beaded banners in my craft groups at the retirement community. This craft was a big hit with the group of seniors with dementia. It was simple and repetitive. Everyone enjoyed selecting a fabric scrap banner and choosing the perfect beads to go with it.
I made the fabric scrap banners ahead of time at home and the crafters added the beads. I cut 4 x 10 inch pieces of fabric. Then I cut each scrap into 1/2 inch strips starting about 2 inches from the top. I have one of those rulers with slots every 1/2 inch to use with a rotary cutter so that made it easy. I glued the banners to a piece of plastic tube cut from recycled balloon sticks. A drinking straw would work just as well. I brought lots of pony beads and some fabric covered drinking straw beads for everyone to use. To attach the beads we just pinched the fabric strip and pulled it through the bead. Some of the crafters used little party picks (the kind that hold olives in a cocktail) to help push the fabric through the bead. The 1/2 inch strips of medium weight fabric are just the right size to hold the beads in place without needing to knot the ends.
The little banners look good on a wall or in a window as a sun catcher. I think people of all ages and abilities can enjoy this craft.
