Project idea · Summer
Fabric garden bunting
Nothing says "party in the garden" like a string of bunting. Fabric bunting lasts for years, so it can come out for every birthday, street party and summer fête.
This is a great first machine-sewing project: straight lines, forgiving fabric and an instantly cheerful result. You'll get roughly 8 to 10 flags from a few fat quarters, depending on flag size.
Step by step
- Make a triangle template from card. Draw round it on the back of the fabric and cut two triangles per flag.
- Place pairs of triangles right sides together and sew down the two long sides, about 1cm from the edge. Leave the top open.
- Trim the point, turn right side out and push the point out gently with a knitting needle or chopstick. Press flat.
- Press the bias binding in half lengthways.
- Leave around 50cm of binding free at the start for tying, then sandwich the top of each flag inside the binding, leaving a small gap between flags. Pin or clip in place.
- Sew along the full length of the binding close to the open edge, catching every flag and closing the binding ties at each end.
- Tie up, stand back and put the kettle on.
No sewing machine? Paper bunting on string works well for indoor parties. More in the sewing guide.