Buntings For Everyone and Everything

Every year it seems like stores are busting out the holiday decorations a bit earlier and earlier. Some people are upset about rushing the holidays. But I’m all for it. I love having decor up in my house and I love making it even more! And one of my current favorite decorations to make these days are buntings. These fabric decorations are easy to make, easy to hang, and add a pop of style or color to any room.

Buntings are Basic

At their core, they are very basic or simple decorations. This makes them fit into almost every design aesthetic. Personally I’m into the cottage-core or maximalist design aesthetics right no and they’re perfect. You need a ribbon, bias tape, or length of chord to start. Then you pick your shape or style and you can easily get started.

My daughter was turning two and I was really having a tough time with her not being a baby anymore. She’s my last baby so it was a bit more emotional this time around. Like anytime I have a problem or something to work through, I throw myself into crafting. As it was her birthday, I decided to make decorations for it. We had decided on a “Tea for Two” theme so buntings were perfect.

Stash Busting Buntings

If you stash craft supplies, especially fabric, then these are the perfect decorations for you! I tend to buy fabric when I like it, not when I have a particular project in mind – especially when I was getting started. So I have a lot of odd lengths and bits in my stash that have been marinating there way too long. I’ve made triangular buntings and even shaggy buntings from fabric strips. Some I’ve added lace to, and other’s I used up a pearl overlay fabric. You can use some batting, extra fabric, or even stuffing to stabilize the if you hanging them up outside.

Not all have to be made from fabric! Think about the garlands you hang – they’re practically buntings too! Also, you can use felt and even embroider the triangles or scallops to add a bit of whimsy or additional pizzaz.

This bunting was from my daughter’s bday party and we decided to put it up in her room and keep it up all year round because it fit her room so well! Learn more about the bed and other decor in this post.

Tea Party Decor: Loads of Triangular Buntings

The most recognizable style is probably the triangular shapes on a bias tape. So I started with these. I found various fabrics in my stash that coordinated. Then I made a template shape out of card board. For days, I cut and either hand stitched or machine sewed these triangles together and added them to a cotton bias tape that I had ordered from Amazon. They were the perfect decorations! These triangles adorned the front door, back patio, fireplace mantle, spanned curtain rods. Everyone thought they were so cute.

Triangular Bunting:

Pick your fabric and let it hang for a bit. This will help you determine whether it hangs right for your bunting. If you’re just hanging it inside you will most likely be fine with your fabric. But if you are hanging these up outside where it might be breezy, a batting, or additional layer of fabric might be helpful.

Next you’ll need to make your stencil. Cut a triangle from cardboard or card stock. Be sure to cut it 1/4 inch larger than you want your triangles to be. You’ll need this for seam allowance. If you are working with felt where you plan to blanket stitch them together or glue them together, you don’t need the extra allowance.

Layout your fabric and cut it. Trace your triangle right side up and then flip it so that the point is facing toward you. You can stack your triangles like this and not waste as much fabric. It also saves your hand for cutting.

Place your triangles right side together and sew around two edges (leaving the top open). Then using your scissors, trim the tip of the triangle. Turn it right side out. If you want crisp shapes you can iron them at this phase.

Finally, you need your ribbon, chording, or bias tape. Determine the length you need, and the spacing for your shapes. For ribbon or tape, fold one edge in. It helps to be able to iron your material here. Then fold the other side in. Now you can lay your triangle inside the tape or ribbon and fold it in half. This will encompass the top of the triangle. Pin or clip them in place and then keep working until your bunting is complete. Then sew along to finish it off!

Scallop Bunting:

I might work this one next! Simply repeat the steps from the triangular bunting above, but cut a scallop or half circular shape as your template. It will help to notch or use a scissor to cut the fabric along your seam when you turn it inside out. I’d place these ones closer together for a sweet look and shape!

Shaggy Bunting

These are the easiest of all to make as there is no sewing. You’ll need fabric, chording, yarn, or twine. Optional are wooden beads to add a bit of dimension. Simply determine the size of the rectangle you’d like to work with. I started with a buffalo flannel and just used the squares to determine my cutting.

Next determine your pattern. Lay out the piles of your fabric according to your pattern. Cut your rope, yarn, or twine to the desired length. Then find the middle. You could work from end to end in the same pattern but I was hanging mine around a door frame and wanted the pattern to mirror on each side. Work from the middle to the end, keeping your pattern and adding beads where desired. Then repeat it for the other side. I put a bit of tape on each end to keep my rope from fraying as I worked.