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How to Make a Fabric Bunting with Free Template

Sarah Ashford is back, sharing another adorable, colorful, and fun small sewing project with us today! She’s teaching us how to make this fun and colorful fabric flag bunting. She has even included a free bunting template for you to download! 

Here in the UK, we’ve had a glorious summer so far. Blue skies for days, even weeks on end, glorious sunshine, and fun-filled days out and about or in the garden. We’re all feeling really summery, and what better way to celebrate than with some traditional English flag bunting?

If you’d like to make this banner for another season or special occasion, simply swap out the fabrics!

rainbow flag bunting on white tabletop

I have many cute animal fabrics in my stash that are so adorable, and I thought, what better way to show them off than by making flag bunting banners to celebrate our fabulous summer?

rainbow flag bunting on white tabletop

You might think making bunting is easy, but believe me, not all bunting is made equal!

I’m going to share with you some tips and tricks to get perfect points at the point of the triangle so that you can make your beautiful bunting in no time. Many bunting tutorials leave the straight edge of the fabric raw and finish the edge using pinking shears.

Our bunting tutorial does not leave a raw fabric edge, the top edge of the fabric is encased in the folded binding, which will help the bunting last longer.

[this post has been updated from a previous version]

rainbow flag bunting on white tabletop

How to Get the Template

Fill out this form, and we will email you a PDF copy of the template to make the fabric bunting.

Supplies for DIY Bunting

  • Approx. Fat 8th of 11 different fabrics (this may be more if you are fussy cutting). You could also use large scraps of fabric.
  • Bunting template (the triangle shape for the bunting)
  • Template plastic (or piece of cardboard)
  • 3 yards Bias Tape or Bias Binding (can use prepackaged)
  • Fabric Pen
  • Fabric Scissors
  • Usual sewing supplies (sewing machine, ruler, rotary cutter, mat, pins etc.)

Step by Step Instructions

triangle fabric flags on white table top

Fabric Bunting Tutorial

Melissa Mortenson
Learn how to make a bunting. This fun and colorful fabric flag bunting is so easy to create. We've even included a free bunting template for you to download! 
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 30 minutes
Active Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes

supplies

  • 8-11 fat eighths Fabric this may be more if you are fussy cutting
  • 1 Bunting template fill out the form on this page to have it emailed toyou.
  • 1 piece Template plastic or cardboard
  • 3 yards Bias binding

Instructions
 

Cutting Directions:

  • First of all, print out the bunting template and draw it onto either cardboard or template plastic and cut it out.
    Draw 2 triangles on the reverse side of each fabric, taking care of the orientation of the triangle as you will most likely be using directional prints.
    You may want to fussy cut some of the prints to ensure they are included on the flag.
    You may find using a rotary cutter and ruler is the best way to do this.
    rainbow flag bunting on white tabletop
  • NOTE: If you are going to be hanging your bunting against a wall, you may not want to use your best fabrics for the back of each flag.
    In this case, just cut one of each animal/print fabric and use a solid color for the back, as this will be cheaper, and you can keep your remaining animal prints for another project!
  • You will have cut out 22 flags in total.

Step One:

  • Next, you need to pin each front piece and back piece together for each flag. Place right sides together and pin down each side, but look at the direction of the pins…refer to the photograph and the same.
    This is very important as the correct orientation of the pins will allow you to take the pins out as you stitch and makes life a lot easier! Pin approximately 1/2” away from the edge.
    rainbow flag bunting on white tabletop

Step Two:

  • Starting in the top right-hand corner, stitch using a 1/4” seam. When you get a 1/4” from the point, stop, pivot, and then continue up to the top left-hand corner.
    rainbow flag bunting on white tabletop
  • Do this for all 11 flags. You can chain-piece the flags to save time and thread. Remember, you can take out the pins as you approach them.
  • Next, you need to trim the seam allowance at the point of each flag to remove bulk and to help create a perfect point.
    Using sharp embroidery scissors, snip across the bottom and then about an inch upwards diagonally on either side of the 'V' for all 11 flags.
    rainbow flag bunting on white tabletop

Step Three:

  • Now turn the flags right side out. To get a lovely point, take something sharp such as a knitting needle or kebab stick, and gently push out the point, taking care not to put a hole in the fabric! Take your time to ease it out slowly.
    rainbow flag bunting on white tabletop
  • Once all 11 flags have been turned right side out, take a hot iron and carefully put it inside each flag, pressing the seam to one side on either side. Then press flat.
    rainbow flag bunting on white tabletop
  • Do this for all the flags.

Step Four:

  • You will now notice that there are two little ‘ears’ at the top of each flag. Using a pair of embroidery scissors, snip them off.
    rainbow flag bunting on white tabletop

Step Five:

  • Now you are ready to put the flags onto the bias binding. Take the binding and iron it in half.
    rainbow flag bunting on white tabletop
  • Lay out your flags in the order that you’re happy with. I have gone for a rainbow formation!
  • Fold the binding in half to get your mid-way point. As there are 11 flags, you need to put one flag exactly in the middle of this crease and then 5 flags on either side. Take the central flag, fold in half to get a crease, and match the creases up.

Step Six:

  • Insert the flag between the binding, making sure it’s fully inserted. (My binding is quite narrow so it’s a little tricky. You may choose to use a slightly wider binding.) Secure in place with binding clips or pins if you prefer.
    rainbow flag bunting on white tabletop
  • Repeat for the remaining 10 flags. It is up to you whether the flags touch or whether you have a gap between them. If you do decide to have a gap, you will need to make sure it is even between each flag.

Step Seven:

  • Using a neutral-coloured thread, start stitching from one end of the binding all the way to the end, removing the binding clips as you go.
    Make sure that the flag is encased, and keep your stitching towards the bottom part of the binding. Slow and steady is the key for this part, particularly at the beginning and end of each flag. At the beginning and end of the binding, fold it in on itself so that you don't have a raw edge.
    rainbow flag bunting on white tabletop
  • Tie off the ends and give all the flags a press. And you are done! Find a wall or garden to hang your bunting an
PRINT
Love this tutorial? Get the behind the scenes on Instagram
rainbow flag bunting on white tabletop

About the Maker:

Sarah Ashford is a British Quilter, embroiderer, and founder of the GreatBritishQuilter challenge on Instagram. Sarah regularly contributes projects to magazines and loves to spread the joy of quilting everywhere she goes. Follow her on Instagram at @sarahashfordstudio, and be sure to check out her beautiful sewing room decals in her etsy shop www.etsy.com/shop/sarahashfordstudio

More Fun Small Sewing Projects:

Child’s Apron Sewing Pattern

Bunny Purse Pattern

Chalkboard Pencil Pouch Sewing Pattern

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2 Comments

  1. Wow, It’s looking awesome. . I have learned so much from here. The cutting demo photos are perfection! I am so blessed by this post! Your sense of humor is a blast to read! Keep it up.

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