I've never made a banner before, but a friend asked if I'd make one for the users' group at my nearby nature reserve. It's a big thing - 2.5m x 75cm - with machine appliqué. I thought the lettering would be more manageable if done in squares (took ages to draft)- and then I enjoyed creating little appliquéd creatures you can see in the park (including my own dog). Appliqué being new to me, I realised too late that some of the fabrics I had used didn't have sufficient body, even though I did back them with interfacing and the whole banner has a tough drill backing. Definitely a learning curve! It took about a full week to make - though that was spread over many months.