How to Make Bunting for your Celebrations

Finding ways of how to make bunting can seem difficult. There are many different ways to making bunting and each way gives the same effect.

The difference between then will be how long the bunting will last. The flags can be made out of paper and glued or stapled onto the ties, felt can also be used.

The type I like to make is out of fabric and sewn together as this will give you a long lasting decoration or a reminder of a wonderful day.

The flags are made individually and are usually triangular in shape for the traditional style.

Other shapes could be used as well if it is made for a particular occasion. Heart shaped ones could be used for a Valentine party, Stocking shaped ones for Christmas and bat shapes for Halloween.

The size of the shapes is a matter of choice and depending on where it will be used. Ones for the garden or outside could be a little larger than those used in the lounge for example.

They could even be tiny if decorating a dolls house but that could be a bit fiddly.

There is such a wide variety of fabric available in shops or on line retailers. These have prints for all seasons and occasions.

Your bunting can also be personalised by adding felt letters when it is made. This is a lovely gift to give.

How to make bunting with single sided fabric.

Deciding on the pattern and size.

Decide on shape

Decide on size

Decide on your shape and then make up a pattern to the size required.

I like the traditional ones in the shape of a triangle. When choosing your shape bear in mind how it will attach to the heading tape.

I have tried just making letters to hang and most are fine but the letter "S" can look like a wiggly worm when hung up unless it has some support.

However strips, squares or any other shape is an individual choice.

strips of bunting

Cutting out the fabric 

Place your pattern onto the wrong side of the fabric, mark with fabric pencil or something that will not show through to the right side and cut out with pinking shears to stop the fabric from fraying.

Cut out the number of shapes for the length you want. 

Attach your cut out shapes to tape keeping a gap between each of the flags. It may be an idea to have a length of tape without any flags on it at the start and finish to attach your bunting securely.

Finishing the edges

cut edge with pinking shears

One way to finish the edges on a single fabric bunting flag is to cut the shape out with pinking shears to give a jagged edge to stop the fabric fraying.

turn edge under once or twice

Hemming the sides of the flags

If you don't want to use pinking shears, turn under the sides of the flags to make a narrow hem with either a single or double turn . Sew with the machine or hand.

How to make bunting double sided

Cutting out and sewing

right sides together

narrow hem

The flags could also be made double sided.

Place the fabric right sides together and cut out the pattern pieces and pin together. 

Sew a narrow hem about a machine foot width from the edge down one side then turn at the point and back up the other side. 

This is the way I make bunting as it will last and can be washed to be used again.

Finishing the edges

turn right side out

topstitch near edge of seam

Turn the flags right side out, press and if wanted you could top stitch along the edge of the sides.

If the top edge is going to be seen then this could be turned under and also top stitched closed.

Attaching to the hanging tape

The individual flags could either:

(A) be sewn onto tape securely in place

or

(B) the top could be folded over and sewn so that a length of cord or tape could be pulled through.

The only downside to this way is that the flags would be free to move and possibly all bunch together.

The flags use for the baby girl bunting were 6 inches (15cms) wide and 6.5 inches (16.5cms) long.

They were sewn double sided and top stitched to secure the sides. 

These were sewn to the tape with a 1 inch (2.5cms) gap between each one with a 12 inch (31cms) length at each end to secure. I find that this is the way I like the best.

There are different ways in how to make bunting but when making bunting in any of the above ways you should be able to reuse it again.

There are lots of outlets with lovely fabrics both on the high street and on line such as Minerva Fabrics and Crafters Companion. 

Enjoy...

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