I’ve been meaning to get around to making some bunting for ages and I managed to get it done a couple of weeks ago – well one length done – three more to go!
As I want to hang the bunting in the garden, looped from trees to the so called summer-house I thought I had better make it more robust than the stuff you can buy in shops or on-line. With the sort of weather that we can get, even in the summer, those flimsy shop bought things would be rags in no time.
As you can see I’ve strung it along a dresser in my dining-room, just so that you can see it a bit better. I didn’t have to buy any fabric because I have lots in my stash, I’m a bit of a fabric remnant junky and I can’t resist poking around anywhere there’s likely to be nice material, new or vintage. The patterned material is from Laura Ashley, I bought it years ago and as the design is only printed on one side I decided that I would make all the flags/pennants like wee pockets or ‘pokey hat’ shaped as we say in Scotland, so that the design is visible on both sides. It also makes them much stronger.
I used bias binding for the ‘string’ as it comes already folded over and it’s simple to place the flags on the fold and sew along the edge. Job done!
I can see that by the time I’ve finished the other lengths of bunting I’ll have a pile of small off-cuts of the fabrics and I can’t possibly chuck it all out. Maybe I can make a small crazy patchwork quilt with the leftovers. Waste not want not and all that. I think I would have made quite a good pioneer or crofter!
Oh thta is beautiful Katrina! I want to make some bunting to decorate my spare bedroom at some point but I think it could be quite an expensive project as I have no scraps nor indeed a sewing machine!
Verity,
Thanks. You could sew by hand I suppose, or as the bunting wouldn’t be getting blown about you could justget some pinking shears and cut out the shapes with no sewing required. There was a time when I had no fabric too but I got into the habit of salvaging any material I could from old clothes which weren’t good enough to pass on to a charity shop. Ask your relatives to donate old material to you! Most importantly ask your granny/great granny if she has an old sewing machine you could use. I’m sure they would love to think you were getting the use of it. Old hand cranked or treadle machines are very good and definitely worth buying if you are lucky enough to find one.
I love bunting and keep meaning to make some. Trouble is I have to go tommy mums for the sewing machine.
I have a load of felt and a pattern to do some in which will not require a machine now all I need is the time!
Something cheery about bunting and more so when it is home made!
Jo,
I never thought of using felt, there’ll be no problem with fraying either. I suppose we should all be doing red, white and blue bunting for the Diamond Jubilee, but I don’t think there will be any street parties going on near me!
That bunting is going to look terrific in your garden. I won’t be making any red white and blue though! We have our local festival – the eltane – in June, and the Peebles colours are red and white so you never know, I might do some red and white in different fabrics. I’ve always just used the plastic bunting up till now, but the fabric looks fabulous! You might be able to make half and half bunting from the scraps! Half pink/half blue on each side, for example? Or make little stars or different shapes to hang vertically? I’m sure you will think up lots of crafty iseas for the left over bits!
For eltane read Beltane!
Evee,
I’d forgotten you had the Beltane festival, I think it’s brilliant that it’s still on the go. Yes you can let your imagination go wild and embroider bunting or sew beads on. I have a stash of Lindt chocolate bunny bells which I could sew on.
Very festive!!
Pearl,
Now we just need some good weather, it’s sunny now but windy and the other day we had a specatacular hail storm.