Ultimate Bunting Kit

This tutorial works a little differently to our other tutorials. Usually for our garment patterns, there are steps that you follow in sequence. For this tutorial, you can mix and match nearly any of the steps.

Step 1 – Embellishing – This is where you can add any decorative details to your flags / shapes.

Step 2 – Construction – Put the shape, its lining and any filling together ready for hanging.

Step 3 – Finishing – Attach the shapes to whatever you’re going to hang them from.

What I would recommend is skimming through to decide what finishes and methods you want to follow before you start.

This is where you need to add any decorations or embellishments to the front of your flags.

If you are doing shaped bunting and there are features on them (e.g. the face on the pumpkin or the ears on the elephant), this is where you add them.

There are specific instructions here for constructing:

• Pockets on the Spearhead flag shape 
• Adding detail to the other shapes

You could also add at this point:

• Numbers onto the Spearhead pocket to make an advent or countdown bunting
• Letters onto the triangle, swallowtail and spearhead shapes
• Topstitching detail (e.g. on the leaves to create a spine type detail like on real leaves)
• Ribbons, trim, buttons, sparkles!
• Any other detail or embellishment you can think of!

All suggestions in this section are optional. For plain bunting, skip to step 2.

Optional – Add Pattern Detail

If you are making any of the shaped bunting that has detail on it, add it now as per below (or as per your imagination!). 

To attach your detail pieces to each flag, use one of the following methods:

• Either cut and then hand or machine stitch or applique the detail to the flag
• Or trace each detail piece onto a double-sided iron-on interfacing and then iron onto your detail piece. Cut out. Remove the backing paper and then iron onto the bunting. Optionally topstitch in place.

For now, we are just assembling and putting the detail onto the front of the flag. Leave your lining fabric aside. We will attach this in the next step.

SANTA CLAUS – Assemble the pieces in this order:

• Add the Hat onto the Head
• Add the Face
• Add the Eyes and Nose
• Add the Mustache

ELEPHANT – Assemble the pieces in this order:

• Add the ear onto the body.

BEE – Assemble the pieces in this order:

• Add the stripe 1 and stripe 2 onto body.
• Add wing back onto body.
• Add wing front and head onto body.
• Add eyes onto face.

CROWN – Assemble the pieces in this order:

• Add small and large jewels onto crown. 

BUNNY – Assemble the pieces in this order:

• Add tail onto body.

PUMPKIN – Assemble the pieces in this order:

• Add eyes and mouth onto the body.

CAR – Assemble the pieces in this order:

• Add window and wheels onto body.
• Add hubcaps onto wheels.

HAT – Assemble the pieces in this order:

• Add pompom to body.

TRAIN – Assemble the pieces in this order:

• Add hubcaps onto wheels.
• Add cab and engine onto body.
• Add wheels onto body.

GHOST – Assemble the pieces in this order:

• Add eyes onto body.

BALLET SHOES – Assemble the pieces in this order:

• Add shoes to feet. 

BALLERINA – Assemble the pieces in this order:

• Add tutu onto body. 

Optional – Spearhead Shape Pockets

The Spearhead shape has an optional pocket cutline in case you choose to create a bunting with pockets, as in for an Advent calendar or hidden treats.

Fold top of pocket ¼ inch towards the wrong side and press.

Fold another ½ inch again and press.

Topstitch approximately ⅛ inch from the folded edge to secure. 

If adding numbers or words to your pockets, add these now before constructing flags. There are numbers in the pattern pieces that are perfectly sized for making this into an advent. Or you could add any other decoration you wished.

Baste each of your pockets to your flags using a seam allowance of approximately ⅛ inch. 

TIP – If you haven’t done basting stitches before, they are long loose stitches designed to be easily removed before finishing your item. Set your machine to the longest, loosest stitch you have. Test it on a scrap of fabric first to check you can remove the stitches after.

NOTE – If you are using the turned and topstitched method to construct your flags, your stitching should be hidden in the seam allowance of your final flags. If you are doing the top stitched only method, you will need to remove your basting stitches before finishing and attaching to your ribbon or bias tape.

¼ inch seam allowance included – Top stitching ⅛ inch

For the triangle, swallowtail and spearhead shapes, you will need to use one of the following options:

• Option A (turning and topstitching) 
• Option B (top stitching only)

For all the other shapes you will need to use one of these options:

• Option C (flat hanging shapes)
• Option D (stuffed hanging shapes)

Option A – Turning and Topstitching

This method works for any shape where you have a wide section at the top (e.g. the triangle, swallowtail and spearhead shapes). This does not work for any of the other shapes.

A1. Place flag main and flag lining right sides together.

A.2 Using a ¼ inch seam allowance, stitch around sides. Leave the top open.

A.3 Trim seam allowance in half and clip corners, being careful not to clip through stitching.

A.4 Turn right side out, using a turning tool to poke out corners.

Press.

A.5 Topstitch ⅛ inch from edge, repeating for each flag.

Option B – Topstitching only

This method works for any shape where you have a wide section at the top (e.g. the triangle, swallowtail and spearhead shapes). This does not work for any of the other shapes.

B1. Place flag main and lining pieces WRONG sides together.

OPTIONAL – If using felt, you can leave a single layer and use only a main fabric.

B2. Stitch around sides, leaving the top open.

B3. If using a fabric which frays, use pinking shears to trim the seam allowance in half. Or if using a non-fraying fabric like felt, clip seam allowance by half with regular scissors.

Option C – Flat Hanging Shapes

This option works for all bunting shape types except the triangle, swallowtail and spearhead shapes.

If you do not want to add stuffing, follow these directions for attaching your shape and lining together:

C1. Cut your ribbon to 3 inches lengths. You will need one piece per shape.

For each shape you’ll be hanging, you will need your front, your back (lining) and your ribbon.C2. Fold ribbon in half lengthwise and pin to the top center of your shape lining (the back of your shape).

Make sure you pin it to the wrong side of the fabric (the side that will be hidden inside the shape in a moment).

TIP – Before you continue, hold the shape by the tip of the ribbon and check you’re happy with how it hangs. Depending on the shape and on the weight of any additional decoration you’ve added, you might need to play with the placement a bit to get the shape to hang straight.

C3. Place the front of your shape on top with the right side facing up.

C4. Stitch all the way around the shape completely, leaving no opening. 

Check the ribbon is secure. Depending on your fabric or ribbon type, you may need to stitch over a few times to make sure it isn’t going to slip out.

C5. If you wish to stitch any final embroidery or decoration on the shape, do this now.

For example, for this leaf you might want to stitch leaf spines onto it.

If you used a non-fraying fabric such as felt, skip to step 3, finishing. You’ll need to use option E (hanging).C6. If you used a fabric which frays such as cotton, trim the seam allowance using pinking shears to minimize fraying.

Then go to step 3, finishing. You’ll need to use option E (hanging).

Option D – Stuffed Hanging Shapes

Some shapes may benefit from batting inside to provide dimension. I suggest using quilt batting for this, but loose stuffing works as well.

If you do want to add stuffing, follow these directions for attaching your shape and lining together:

D1. UNTURNED METHOD (for turned and topstitched method, skip to step 5.3) – Sew sides of flags together using steps 2.1 to 2.2. For shapes, leave a 2 inch opening along a straight edge (a bottom or side is a good choice).

D2. Insert batting. For quilt batting, cut using pattern shape minus seam allowance and insert. For loose stuffing, break into small 1 inch pieces and stuff until desired fullness. For shapes, continue stitching so that the opening is closed. Clip seam allowances using preferred method, being careful to not clip through hanger Attach binding using instructions from steps 3 or 4.

You need to select and use one of the following three options:

• Option E (Bias Tape) 
• Option F (Ribbon) 
• Option G (Hanging) 

For the triangle, swallowtail and spearhead shapes, use option E (Bias Tape) or F (Ribbon). 

For all the other shapes use option G (hanging).

Before you start:

• Place binding in space you plan to hang it to determine its overall length. 
• Then decide the spacing you want for your flags. They can be immediately adjacent, a flag space apart from each other, or any amount in between. Just choose a consistent spacing based on where you plan to hang, how many flags, and how much binding you have.
• The last bit of preparation is to divide the binding in half to find the middle. You will start by attaching your first flag here and work outwards. 

Option E – Bias Tape 

If you have used the same fabric for the front and back (lining) of your flags, your bunting will be reversible for this method.

This is suitable for the triangle, swallowtail and spearhead shaped flags. It is not suitable for the other shapes.

E1. The bias tape is usually slightly wider on one side. Turn so that the wider side is at the back.

Slip one flag inside the fold of the bias tape. Push all the way to the fold of bias tape and pin or clip in place.

TIP – If you are using single fold bias tape, you will need to fold it in half along its length and press first.

E2. Continue until all flags are pinned into bias tape, making sure spacing is consistent.

E3. Starting at one END of the bias tape, stitch all the way along to the other end with ⅜ inch seam allowance so that stitching is right on bottom edge of the bias tape. 

As you are stitching, make sure each flag stays pushed right up into the fold so it is fully caught by the stitching.

The front edge, flag and back edge should be caught in the stitching.

Option F – Ribbon

This is suitable for the triangle, swallowtail and spearhead shaped flags. It won’t work for most of the other shapes.

The bunting will have a WRONG side with this method and not be reversible. 

F1. We are going to place the flags on the ribbon and then fold the ribbon over the top of the flags, so it encloses the top raw edge.

To do this, lay your ribbon right side down (wrong side up).

Lay your flags right side up.

Place the top raw edge of your flags so it is approximately ¼ inch from the top of the ribbon (e.g. leave a little gap above the flag).

Pin in place.

NOTE – We are going to turn the ribbon over the flag in the next step so if you have a directional ribbon, the flags should be upside down in relation to the ribbon.

F2. With the ribbon on top so you can see it, stitch ⅛ inch from the top of the ribbon. 

NOTE – The photo here shows the ribbon under the flags, so you can see where we have stitched. When you put it on your sewing machine, make sure the ribbon is on top.

F3. Press the ribbon over onto the right side of the flag, pinning in place.

This should enclose the raw edges of the flags. The very top part of the flag will probably fold too, this is fine.

F4. Stitch ⅛ inch from bottom of ribbon, enclosing raw edge of top of flag.

TIP – You can also choose to use a zigzag or other decorative stitch here for a different look.

F5. OPTIONAL – Singe edge of ribbon or apply fray check to stop the ends fraying. Make sure to be careful if you singe the ribbon, taking appropriate safety measures.

Option G – Hanging

This method is what you need to use for any of the shapes where you attached a hanging ribbon in the first section.

The method is the same for all the different shapes. We’ve shown it with the leaf here, but you could use any shape.

To attach to binding, you can either:

G1. Slip the bias tape or ribbon through each folded ribbon. Then spread them out and tack in place.

G2. Or insert the fold of the ribbon inside the binding or folded ribbon and stitch along the length of the bias tape (see bottom photo on the left).