How to Sew a Fabric Bunting (5 Cute Styles!)

Fabric bunting is such a festive way to change up your decor with the seasons or decorate for parties. If you’re wanting to learn how to make bunting, I’ve got you covered! I’m sharing a free PDF pattern for fabric bunting in five cute designs that you can mix and match however you like. With my handy printable pattern templates, you can make triangle, rectangle, notched rectangle, scalloped and color-blocked bunting with fabric of any color and design you like. (The color-blocked style is perfect for creating mini American flags for the 4th of July or Memorial Day!) And since this bunting is fully reversible, you can get double duty from the same project if you select fabrics for different seasons for each side. Sweet!

To sew this fabric bunting, you will need…

Supplies

• FREE fabric bunting PDF pattern (click link to download)

• Fabric in assorted colors/designs
• Medium weight sew-in interfacing
• Extra-wide double fold bias tape
• Coordinating thread

Equipment

• Sewing machine
• Sewing shears
• Iron
• Seam gauge
• Washable marking pen
• Corner turning tool
• Hair clips (or sewing clips)

(Scroll below for the printable version of this tutorial to refer to as you sew.)

Make Your Cuts

Print and cut out the pattern templates for the bunting style(s) you want to use. For the triangle, rectangle, notched rectangle and scallop bunting, you will need to cut the following for each flag on your banner:

• 2 fabric body pieces
• 1 interfacing piece

For the color-blocked version, you will need to cut the following pieces for each flag on your banner:

• 1 top front fabric piece
• 1 bottom front fabric piece
• 1 back piece
• 1 interfacing piece

Prepare the Fabric Bunting Pieces to Sew

For all but the color-blocked fabric bunting, you’ll assemble the sections for your banner as detailed below.

Lay one of the fabric body pieces face up on your work surface.

Place the second fabric body piece face down on top of the first fabric piece, right sides facing, so that all of the edges are precisely aligned.

Align the interfacing piece in the same manner on top of the fabric layers.

Pin all of the layers together.

The steps for the color-blocked fabric bunting version are identical to the steps outlined above, but before you stack and pin the three layers together, assemble the front piece. Align the bottom edge of the top (smaller) section with the top edge of the bottom (larger) section and pin. Use a 1/4″ seam to stitch the sections together and then press the seam open, as shown below. Once the piece is assembled, you will follow the steps outlined above to stack and pin the layers.

Sew the Bunting Sections

Using a 1/4″ seam, stitch along the left, bottom and right sides of the piece, leaving the top edge open for turning.

Trim the seam to 1/8″.

Turn the piece right side out through the top opening, using a point/seam turning tool to make the corners and edges as crisp as possible. Press the piece flat.

Repeat the steps above until you have the desired number of finished pieces to add to your banner.

Here is one of each different design you can make with this pattern. You can mix and match the different shapes to make your fabric bunting, or create a bunting with all the same design. The choice is up to you!

Attach the Bunting Sections with Bias Tape

Cut a piece of bias tape long enough for your finished number of bunting pieces. A fabric bunting with 5 pieces requires about 42″ of bias tape. (For each additional bunting piece you wish to add, add 5″ of length to that measurement.)

Fold the length of bias tape in half, and mark the center with the marking pen. Place your first bunting piece so its center is aligned with the center of the bias tape. Encase the raw edge of the bunting piece inside the folded bias tape, and use clips to secure. (I have found that hair clips work great for this, and they are super inexpensive!)

Use the seam gauge and marking pen to measure and mark 1.5″ from the edges of the first bunting section, as shown.

Open up the bias tape, and place the next bunting piece so that its edge lines up with the mark you just made.

Fold the bias tape down to encase the raw edge of the bunting section, and then use clips to secure.

Continue adding the bunting sections in this manner until they are all clipped in place.

To prevent the ends of the bias tape from fraying, open up each end and fold the edge down by about 1/2″ and then close the bias tape back up. Pin.

Starting at one end and working all the way to the other end, carefully stitch just inside the open edge of the bias tape, as shown.

Your fabric bunting is all finished! Yay!

 

I love the way my buntings look strung on the hutch in my dining room. I think I’ll plan to make a different one for every season!

Amy’s Helpful Fabric Bunting Project Tips

What types of fabric should I use for this project? Quilting cotton, home dec fabric, and canvas are all great options.

How can I keep all of the many pieces organized as I sew? Once you’ve made your cuts, I recommend bundling the different pieces for each bunting section together and securing them with a pin so that you can keep track of which piece goes with each section as you work.

Do I really need to use interfacing? Where can I find it? Although it isn’t essential, the interfacing makes each bunting piece sturdier and less likely to bend, crease or fold. Interfacing is sold by the yard at fabric stores, and you can usually find the interfacing section near the utility fabrics.

Can I skip the pressing step? No way! Pressing is key to making sure the end result of any sewing project is as polished as possible. Don’t ever skip that important step!

I only have 1/4″ wide bias tape on hand. Can I use that instead of the extra wide bias tape? Sure! You’ll just have to make really sure the entire raw edge of each bunting section is totally encased in the binding, which will be more challenging with the narrow width.