Or any bunting for that matter. But since the Queen's Platinum Jubilee is just around the corner and I wanted some appropriate bunting for the shop, that's the theme I've gone with here. It's so easy and so much nicer than much of the bought bunting that's available, you'll wonder why you never DIY'd it before.
You will need:
- Fabric
- Sharp Scissors
- Cardboard
- Dressmakers Chalk
- Pins
- 3.5 M Bias Binding
- Cotton
- Sewing Machine
Step 1
Start by collecting coordinating fabric. I used a combination of old clothing and bought remnants. One of the nicest things about making it yourself is when you do use old clothes - especially the kids' - you are creating a keepsake. Some of the little whippersnappers' cast-offs are forever immortalised in my bunting! Plus it's better than it ending up as landfill because chances are the bunting will be used over and over again, outliving any of those old pieces of clothing.
Tip: cotton and cotton mix fabrics makes the best flags as they are easier to sew and make nice flat flags once they are pressed. Old jersey t-shirts can also be good but the thicker the fabric, the easier it is to work with.
Step 2
Next you need to make a cardboard template. Mine's made from an old cardboard box and measures 28cm x 28 cm x 24cm.
Step 3
Use dressmakers chalk to trace around the template onto the fabric and cut out 20 triangles.
Tip: When using old clothes, cut off sleeves, frills etc. to make as flat a piece of fabric as possible before you trace around your template.
Step 4
Placing wrong sides together, stitch around the two longest sides of the triangle. Repeat until you have 10 individual flags.
Step 5
Turn each flag right side out and press.
Tip: Use a pencil to push out the end of your flags to get nice sharp points.
Step 6
Press your bias binding along the middle as this will make it easier to insert the individual flags neatly.
Step 7
Starting at approximately 30cm from the end of your binding, insert the shortest side of a flag between the two layers of binding and pin into place. Leave a gap of about 3cm and repeat until all ten flags are pinned into place.
Step 8
Stitch carefully along the bias binding making sure you catch both sides of the flags between two layers of binding, removing pins as you go.
Tip: The more professional approach would probably be to tack this before sewing and thus ensure no layers escape from the binding. Depends how confident you are feeling!
Step 9
Make a small hanging loop at each end of the binding and stitch into place.
Step 10
Ta da! Step back and admire your work!
