Double sided fabric bunting

Transcription

1 Double sided fabric bunting Fabric bunting is a great way to decorate a room, or use for a special occasion. It looks really pretty hung up in the garden for a summer party, or to decorate a child s bedroom. It looks really impressive and it s really easy to make! The bunting I ve made has been embellished, but it will look just as nice without. Using the iron on fabric adhesive is much simpler than the usual applique method! Remember any lettering or appliqued work needs to be done before the triangles are sewn together, so that the stitching can t be seen on the reverse. Bunting looks more appealing when several different fabrics are used to make it, so it lends itself well to recycling materials or using up scraps of fabric. You could also use a different fabric on the back to the front of the bunting, for a quirkier look! The great thing about making your own bunting is you can make it any length you want to suit the need. Most bunting is about 2 or 3m, but remember the bunting will drape, so it will need to be much longer than you think! This bunting is 3m long, and has 15 pairs of triangles. There is a 13cm gap from the end of the bias binding to the beginning of the first triangle, and there is around a 4cm gap in between each flag. It will depend what sort of look you want for your bunting. Some like the triangles to be quite close together, but personally I prefer them to have more of a gap. (good news, the bigger the spaces, the less triangles you ll need to sew!) It s a good idea to plan first, so you ll need to do a little maths! I ve made a template, just to make it slightly easier. You will need: Length of coordinating bias binding Fabric, cotton is preferable (1 metre of fabric will create around 22 triangles) Matching reel of thread (a colour to use for the fabric, another for the binding) Scissors Pencil Pins Tailors chalk/air erasable pen (or something suitable to use on fabric which won t stain or mark Triangular template Paper backed, iron on adhesive (if adding any applique) A Sewing machine

2 Choose a selection of fabrics that will match well together. Calculate how many triangles you ll need for the length of bunting you want. Our bunting is 3m long, and has 15 pairs of triangles. There is a 13cm gap from the end of the bias binding to the beginning of the first triangle, and there is a 4cm gap in between each flag. Using thick card, make a triangular template of your chosen size. Remember to leave a seam allowance, about 1.5 cm/ ½ inch The template will help create even triangles, and it s a lot easier to use to draw/cut around Cut out your triangles. If you re using a big piece of fabric, folding in half will allow you to cut two triangles at once. Use a few pins to secure it in place. The template can be positioned top and tail. On a flat surface, Lay the template onto the fabric and draw round with chalk or invisible pen, and then cut out. If you find it easier, use a ruler as a guide. You may also use a rotary cutter and mat, if you have one. Once you have enough triangles, this is the point at which you decide if you want to decorate your bunting. Be creative, anything goes! Use buttons, ribbon or anything you fancy to make your bunting just a bit more special. ½ a metre of fabric, folded in half will create roughly 10 pairs of triangles.

3 Add your embellishments. Skip this bit if you re keeping it simple! I ve used a very easy applique method which involves using paper backed iron on adhesive. The simplest way to use it, without risking getting adhesive on your iron, and fiddling about with tiny bits of paper, is to cut out a small square of fabric (using an oddly shaped scrap is fine!) and a piece of adhesive the same size, preferably a little smaller. Lay the piece of paper onto the ironing board, then lay the fabric on top, right side up. The glue side should be touching the wrong side of the fabric. Make sure the entire adhesive paper is covered. You don t want sticky adhesive on your iron! Then iron on a non steamy setting. After it s cooled (it will only take a minute) in pencil, draw your chosen shape onto the paper side freehand or using a template, then cut out. When you ve decided where you want to position your shapes, peel back the paper and stick onto the right side of your chosen triangle. Give it a little iron to bond the two pieces of fabric together Once all your applique has finished. It s time to add a little detail if you d like. Unless you re planning to wash your bunting, stitching on your shapes is unnecessary but adds a little something! Usually the pieces of fabric would be sewn on with a zigzag or appliqué stitch, but the thin cotton fabric I ve used isn t suitable for machine embroidery as it will pucker, unless the fabric is reinforced. If your fabric is a bit thicker you may be able to able to use a fancier stitch! Test on a scrap bit of fabric first though. As it s not going anywhere, just a small straight stitch round the edges will add a little definition. When all the embellishments have been done, pin the triangles to their matching partners, with right sides together.

4 Now it s time to sew all your triangles together. Thread your machine with coordinating thread, it won t be seen when it s finished, but try to use a thread that won t contrast! I ve used white, as it will match with all the different fabrics. Pin two triangles together, right sides facing, to secure. Then sew the two long sides together, leaving roughly a 1cm seam allowance. Sew using a straight stitch down one side, then with the needle in the fabric, rotate, and sew down the other side. Leave the top of the triangle open this will be enclosed with the bias binding later on. Once all your pairs have been sewn, trim the seam allowing a little at the point of the triangle, this will help to get a sharper point. Turn all your triangles the right way out and use something blunt but a bit pointy to poke out the point of the triangles, something like the opposite end of a knitting needle or chopstick. The next step is attaching onto the bias binding. Iron them on a low setting, so they re nice and flat and easier to work with. You ll notice a little extra bit of seam at the top of the triangle on each side, give it a trim so you have a nice straight top Use tailors chalk or a pen suitable to use on fabric to mark out on your bias binding the position of your triangles. Then on a low setting iron the bias binding, folded over lengthways to help you once you start sewing it all together.

5 Using thread to coordinate with your bias binding, sew a straight stitch onto the edge of the open side of the folded bias binding. Sew just a few cms to start off. Then with the binding still in the machine, position your first triangle, the required distance from the end, with the open top completely enclosed in between the folded bias binding. Pin to secure if needed. Continue to position and sew all of your triangles onto the binding, and sew right to the end. Tidy any threads. Then make a small loop at the end of the binding, and secure with a small button. This will give you something to hook your bunting onto and covers up the unsightly seam! Congratulations! You re all finished. Hang up and admire your handiwork! All that s left is to reward yourself with a nice cup of tea

6 19cm 16cm 22.5