The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations will be upon us next month, and some of us are thinking of how we can incorporate our craft projects. But do we need a reason or indeed an excuse to purchase lovely fabric? I most certainly don’t. So, I decided to fashion some fabric bunting using new fabrics that are available here at Fabric Online.
Here’s How
If you haven’t made bunting before, it’s both simple and fun!
Step One – Choose Your Fabric
Firstly, decide on your fabric choice and the amount you want to purchase. Our Jubilee Prints are available to purchase here at Fabric Online, which I opted to use along with some co-ordinating plain bi-stretch fabric.
Step Two – Decide On Your Style
Many templates for different sizes and styles of bunting are freely available to download and print online. I opted for the traditional large triangle available to download at treasurie.com. Once you’ve picked your own style and size, draw around and cut out your triangles.
Are you going to do the bunting double sided? If so, cut out two for each pennant. You could use a plain backing fabric if your bunting is going to be put against a wall.
Step Three – Stitch Your Triangles
Place your triangles face to face and stich (by hand or machine) about 0.5cm from the edge down a to the point on one side. When 1cm from the bottom turn across the point and make three small stitches (turning the wheel by hand to ensure it doesn’t run away with you if using a machine) turn again so you are half a centimetre away from the next long edge and sew up to the top. Leave the upper edges unsewn.
Once all your triangles are sewn along the two longer sides turn inside out, a pointed object (not sharp) a chopstick or medium knitting needle is ideal. This should be gently teased down to the inverted end to make the point stand out. Be careful – I have gone through many an end point being too enthusiastic!
Step Four – Prepare Your Binding
It is good practice to iron your triangle flags flat with as it will make them easier to attach to your top fabric. I used bias binding as it can be folded and pressed in half which will hide the raw top edge of my fabric triangles.
You could make your own bias binding simply find instructions at Tilly and the Buttons. If using ribbon or other fabric, you may wish to fold in and oversew the top edge of your flags to neaten them.
Step Five – Attach Your Triangles
Decide on your spacing and place and pin your triangles in place after tucking them into the fold of the bias binding. Machine or hand sew your triangles securely, a matching thread to your bias will disguise any wobbly sewing. Trim any loose threads and then hang up, stand back, and admire your handiwork.
And finally…
Bunting is lovely way to use up any scrap fabric you have and can make a lasting and sustainable decoration that could end up a family heirloom. See our wide range of print fabrics here at Fabric Online, our Standard Faux Suede, with its wide colour palette, would also make a very attractive and tactile wall hanging.
We would love to see and hear about your projects with our fabrics and share amongst the crafting community. Send your images to us at sales@fabric-online.co.uk or find us on Facebook.
