How to make bunting (plus free Union Jack bunting to print)

All you need to sew your own bunting, plus free Union Jack bunting to print out

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Red, white and blue bunting free sewing pattern craft idea allaboutyou.com

Whether it's to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee, or to support Team GB in the Olympics, bunting is set to be everywhere this year.

If you're a stitcher, here's all you need to know to sew your own, and we have free instant Union Jack bunting to print out too.

Why is it called bunting?

Bunting or bunt was originally a light woollen fabric, used for making ribbons and flags, including those hoisted aloft on ships by the Royal Navy.

How to sew your own bunting

From a mix of leftover fabrics, cut triangles measuring 20cm across the top by 25cm long. For mini bunting, 5cm x 8cm.

Neaten sides of triangles if you want the bunting to be long-lasting - it's not necessary if the bunting is for one-off short-term use only.

Press a long length of 2.5cm-wide white cotton tape in half lengthwise.

Slip tops of triangles inside folded tape and stitch in place with triangles positioned 5cm apart (1.5cm for mini bunting).

How to 'fly the flag' with bunting

For patriotic bunting, you could buy cheap plastic Union Jacks, cut them into triangles and attach to a tape as described above.

To echo the colours of the British flag, choose fabrics in reds, whites and blues. These can be plain or printed. Floral fabrics give a contemporary, shabby chic look, and gingham looks neat (and is easy to cut in a straight line). Obviously, if you're supporting another country in the Olympics, you can use the colours of that flag.

Print free Union Jack bunting

There are two designs to choose from: rectangular and triangular, and two sizes: large - ideal for outdoors; and small - ideal for indoors, over a mirror or a computer, for example.

Click here for your free rectangular Union Jack bunting

Click here for your free triangular Union Jack bunting

Print out on a colour printer, as many copies as the desired length of your bunting, then attach to string or tape with sticky tape or staples. If your bunting will be seen from both sides, stick two pieces back to back.