Minecraft wiki entry for Development_versions, associated text: Can be crafted with 2 string on top of 2 planks.
Easier way to apply patterns to banners: the purpose is to color and design banners, which was previously done in the crafting grid.
Has a slot for a banner, a dye and a banner pattern.
Generic patterns now only require 1 dye.
Removed existing banner recipes.
Special banner patterns can now be crafted into a new item, banner patterns.
Craftable using paper and the special pattern items.
These patterns don't consume the pattern item when used in the loom.
Available banner patterns are shown as a list.