How to: Make Bunting

Bunting is a favourite decoration at many celebrations and it’s also just a nice touch to add to your home or even garden which makes it perfect not only as a project for you to make for yourself but also as a gift for others.

Whilst there’s a few steps to this, it’s still a perfect project for beginners as it’s simple and pretty quick to make!

Instructions are below for the length and size I’ve made, however you can obviously adapt this to suit your own preferences.

View fullsize

What you’ll need:

(The amounts will depend on how many pennants you want and their size, this is based on a string of 6 pennants approximately 5” x 7” when finished)

• Fabric

  • I like to use a mix of patterns and colours but you can also use the same colour or any combination of coordinating or contrasting fabric you like

  • One fat quarter can cut out all 12 pieces based on this sized template.

• Thread

• Bias binding tape 25mm x 2.5m

• Sewing machine

• Pins, scissors, needle and thread

Time

• Not long - about an hour

Skill Level

• Basic sewing machine skills

---

Instructions - How to make bunting

Follow the step by step instructions with photos in the gallery. 

Step 1: Cut out triangles

Use a template slightly larger than you want the finished triangles to be.

Step 2: Match pieces together

You can use a single colour or coordinating or contrasting colours and patterns

Step 2: Pin together

Pin down the two log sides of your triangles

Step 3: Sew

Sew around the outside of the triangles (long sides only)

Step 4: Trim & Turn

Trim the point of the triangle and turn it the right side out.

Step 4: Trim again!

Trim the extra pieces of fabric at the two top corners so the top is straight.

Step 5: Press

Press your pennants ready to join to your binding.

Step 5: Prepare binding

Unravel your binding

Step 5: Press binding

Fold and press in half length ways.

Step 6: Pin pennants

Measure and space out your pennants and pin inside the fold of the binding.

Step 7: Sew

Sew all the pennants in place by sewing all the way from just before the first pennant through to just after the final pennant.

Ta-dah!

And you’re finished!

Matching gift bag

Step by step guide coming soon!

Step 1

Use a template to draw and cut out 12 triangles from your fabric. My template is simply cut from cardboard but you can buy longer lasting plastic templates if you prefer. My template is 6” wide by 7.5” long (measured from the middle of the top, down to the point. Remember to cut your triangles slightly larger than you want your finished pennants to be.

Step 2

Match the pieces together in pairs, right sides facing, then pin together along the two long sides only.

Step 3

Sew around the outside of the triangles (long sides only) leaving the top side open, ready for you to turn it inside out.

Step 4

Trip the point of the triangle then turn it inside out! (This should now be the correct way round with the right side outside). This is a good time to give it a press and trim the two pieces of extra bit of fabric in the two top corners (see the before and after photo).

Step 5

Your pennants are now finished and you are ready to attach them to your bias binding. To prepare your binding, unravel it, fold it in half length ways and press with an iron. This will make it easier to work with in the sewing machine.

Step 6

Pin your pennants in between the binding. For this length of binding and size of pennants you can leave 20” at the start of the binding, then pin the first pennant, then leave a gap of 6” between each pennant. This will leave you with another 20” at the other end. You can adjust this to suit your own pennant sizes or preferences. I would also recommend adding a pin in between each pennant to help hold the binding in place

Step 7

Sew from an inch or two before the first pennant all the way through to a couple of inches after the final pennant, taking care to ensure that both sides are secure.

And that’s it. Ta-dah! You’ve made a string of double sided bunting! Here I’ve popped it in a small gift bag in matching fabric, ready to give to my goddaughter as her birthday present :)

View fullsize