Tutorial: Bunting

It is almost the weekend and I am here today to share a really simple sewing project with you. Bunting is quick and easy to make, looks great it any room of the house and it is a brilliant beginners project for someone who wants to learn how to use a sewing machine. Lots of people make this in our Open Sewing Session and if you come in store we are happy to help cut your flags.

Requirements:
3 fat quarters
4.5m bias binding
Sewing machine
Tape measure
Scissors
Needle and thread
Pins

1. To start with you need a template for your flags. We use a triangle that is 7.5 inches deep from the bottom point to the top of the straight edge. The best thing to do is cut one out of cardboard that you can use again and again. We have made the bottom point of our triangles blunt so that we can tell which is the bottom of the triangle when cut.

2. Cut 24 triangles in total, which will make 12 flags. We used three fabrics for the front of our flags and the navy polka dot on all of the backs.

3. Place two matching triangles together with right sides facing. Turn the triangle so the blunt cut point is point facing downwards.

4. Then place five pins down the two side edges as shown on the photo above (I forgot to add one at the bottom point so mine just has 4!). The pins are important as the two sides are cut on the bias so will stretch without the use of pins. Stitch down the two side edges with 1cm seam allowance, leaving the top edge open, as shown in the photo below. If you wanted you could sandwich ric rac in between the two layers of fabric at this point for a different look.

5. Remove the pins and then cut across the bottom corner as shown, to remove excess fabric which will help your points turn out easier.

6. Turn the triangles so that the right side of the fabric is now on the outside and press all the edges with an iron. Use a pin to pull out the bottom corner and get as sharp a point as possible.

7. Trim off the excess fabric on the straight un-stitched edge as shown below.

8. Take the bias binding and fold in half width ways and centre under the needle on the sewing machine. Set your machine to zig zag (we use stitch length 4 and stitch width 4 but you will need to test it on your machine). With the bias binding folded in half zig zag stitch along approx 25cm this will form on of the ends of the bunting used for hanging up. Without removing the bias binding from the machine, slide the raw edge of one of the prepared triangles, into the folded bias binding. Pin in place and then continue stitching along in zig zag. Leave approximately 10cm between each flag. We use the distance from the needle to the front of our machine bed each time which saves us having to measure! 

9. Once all the flags are added carry on stitching for another 25cm so you have plenty at the end for hanging up.

Stand back and admire your bunting!

We have used the London fabrics we have had in store for this, but you could easily make this with any fabrics for any occasion. We have already sold out of the red crown fabric but we have a Limited Edition fat quarter bundle called 'London Too' available for order online or in store which would be perfect for making Jubilee Bunting.

We would love to see your completed bunting if you use this tutorial. You can email us or share a picture on Facebook. 

Happy Sewing,

Kelly