The Easiest Way to Make Custom Sashes for Any Occasion
Whether you’re crowning a “Birthday Queen,” celebrating a “Bride-to-Be,” or hosting a high-stakes murder mystery pageant, a custom sash is the ultimate party accessory. It makes your guests feel like the guest of honor and — let’s be honest — it’s the perfect prop for the ‘gram! (I love how these instantly turn a regular outfit into a “look.”)
Making these at home is way cheaper than ordering them online, and you can customize them with any inside joke or title you want.
What You’ll Need
- White Blank Sashes (Grab a bulk pack to save money!)
- Black HTV / Heat Transfer Vinyl
- Parchment Paper
- Iron
- Towel (Or any heat-safe surface)
- Vinyl Weeding Tool
- Cricut Machine (No Cricut? You can totally use pre-cut iron-on letters from your local craft store instead!)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep Your Design
Cut your titles out using your Cricut and weed away the negative space. Since these are long and narrow, I like to double-check my measurements against the sash.
2. Set the Stage
Lay your towel down on a flat surface and get your iron heating up. Lay the sash out and give it a quick “pre-press” with the iron. This gets rid of wrinkles and warms up the fabric so the vinyl sticks better.
3. Position and Align
Place your weeded HTV in the center of the sash. Make sure the clear carrier sheet is facing up so your text is readable. (Pro tip: Put the sash on a person or a dress form first to see exactly where you want the text to sit on the chest!)
4. Press Like You Mean It
Place the iron directly over the HTV. Press down firmly for 15–30 seconds. Do not slide the iron back and forth like you’re ironing a shirt—this can shift the letters! Just a steady, firm press.
5. The Reveal
Carefully peel the plastic liner away while it’s still warm. (Be careful, it’s hot!) If any part of the letter lifts, just lay the liner back down and press for another 10 seconds.
6. The Pro Finish
Once the liner is off, place a piece of parchment paper over the letters and give it one final press. This smooths out the edges and ensures that vinyl is stuck for good. And all that jazz!
Time & Cost
Time: 30-45 minutes for a set of 10.
Cost: Under $25 for the whole batch.
Pageant Inspiration
I originally made these for my “Killing for the Crown” Murder Mystery Galentine’s Party, and they were a total hit! We gave every “contestant” a custom sash for the event like Miss America or Miss California
Check out the full party breakdown here for more pageant-themed ideas! → Killing for the Crown: Murder Mystery Party Guide
Planning a party? Pin this DIY to your “Crafts” board and follow Party Pin Pal for more budget-friendly ways to elevate your events!
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