Fabric Bunting Pattern Maker
Bunting is a row of flags on a tape, and the useful questions are how many flags and how long a run you want. Set the flag width and drop, the number of flags and the gap between them.
Choose triangle or swallowtail flags, lined and turned or single with pinked edges, and the tie tail at each end; the tape and the finished length are worked out.
Make this pattern in your size →What you can change
Size
- Flag width: 6–40 cm (2⅜–15¾″). Across the top of each flag.
- Flag drop: 6–50 cm (2⅜–19⅝″). From the tape to the flag point.
Sizes are typed in centimetres, millimetres or inches. The starting size is Flag width 20 cm (7⅞″), Flag drop 25 cm (9⅞″).
Options
- Flag shape: triangle or swallowtail
- Flags: Lined, turned · Single, pinked
- Measurements and counts: Flags, Gap between flags, Tie tail at each end, Tape width
Starting points
These are sizes and settings to begin from, and every one stays fully editable. Type your own measurements, or start from the nearest one.
| Starting point | Finished size, cm | Same starting point in round inches |
|---|---|---|
| Party bunting | 12 flags · 373 cm long | 12 flags · 149¾″ long |
| Mini bunting | 15 flags · 238 cm long | 15 flags · 94½″ long |
| Swallowtail banner | 8 flags · 281.5 cm long | 8 flags · 111″ long |
Cutting list
At the starting size (Flag width 20 cm (7⅞″), Flag drop 25 cm (9⅞″)) the pattern has these pieces. Fabric sizes include seam allowance, interfacing is cut to the stitching line, and pieces cut on the fold are shown opened out. Each size is the width and height of the piece as cut.
| Piece | Fabric | Cut | Size to cut | How |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triangle flag | Main fabric | 12 | up to 23.03 × 28.79 cm (up to ≈9⅛ × ≈11⅜″) | Shaped: cut from the printed piece |
| Triangle flag | Lining | 12 | up to 23.03 × 28.79 cm (up to ≈9⅛ × ≈11⅜″) | Shaped: cut from the printed piece |
| Tape strip | Main fabric | 7 | 5 × 58 cm (≈2 × ≈22⅞″) | Strip: cut by measurement |
You will also need: Ready-made tape (alternative); Thread. The cover page and materials list give the amounts for your size.
The maker’s fabric estimate at this size: Main fabric about 1.5 m of 112 cm fabric; Lining about 1.0 m of 112 cm fabric.
How it goes together
These are the maker’s own instructions at the starting size. They change with the options you pick, and the PDF carries the full set with the cover, cutting list and materials list.
- Cut 12 flags and the same number of backs, keeping the grainline arrow up and down each flag so they hang straight. Cut the tape strips listed.
- Put each flag and its back right sides together and sew the sides at 1 cm, leaving the top open.
- Trim the point close to the stitching and the side allowances to half, turn right side out, and push the point out gently with something blunt.
- Press each flag flat and topstitch the sides if you like. Trim any uneven fabric at the top edge level.
- Make the tape: join the strips end to end, right sides together, and press the seams open; then press the strip in half lengthwise, open it, press both long edges in to the centre crease, and fold it in half again along that crease so it is 1.2 cm wide with the folded edges together at the open side.
- Turn in the short ends of the folded tape by 1.5 cm and press.
- Mark the tape: leave a 50 cm tail, then mark every 20 cm for a flag and 3 cm between flags, for 12 flags, finishing with another 50 cm tail. That is 373 cm in all.
- Slip each flag's top edge into the open side of the tape, up to the fold, its notch at the middle of its mark, and clip it. Edgestitch along the open side of the tape, about 0.3 cm from its edge, from one end to the other, closing the tails and catching every flag.
Fabric suggestions
Outer: Quilting cotton, cotton prints and scraps, linen, light canvas. For single pinked flags, a firmly woven cotton that looks the same both sides.
Lining: Lined flags: a second cotton for the backs, plain or printed.
Interfacing, padding or other layers: None. A light spray starch keeps single flags crisp.
How each fabric family suits it
- Stable woven: great choice. Turns to a sharp point and pinks cleanly.
- Heavy or stiff: works well. Hangs well outdoors; trim the flag points closely and use single pinked flags to save bulk in the tape.
- Stretchy knit: not recommended. The flags curl and pull out of shape. Use a woven.
- Slippery or fine: possible, with care. Satin and nylon fray and slide in the tape; line them and stitch carefully.
The maker’s advice adjusts to the fabric family you pick in the Fabric tab.
Printing it
At the starting size the printed pieces take 2 A4 pages, taped together using the page labels, alignment marks and page map. For a print shop, choose a sheet from A0 to a 36″ roll: the pieces are packed onto as few sheets as they will fit on, and if one is too big for the sheet the maker says so. How printing, tiling and the test square work.
Frequently asked questions
What size can I make?
The fabric bunting pattern takes flag width from 6–40 cm (2⅜–15¾″); flag drop from 6–50 cm (2⅜–19⅝″). It starts at Flag width 20 cm (7⅞″), Flag drop 25 cm (9⅞″), and you can work in centimetres, millimetres or inches. There are 3 starting points to begin from (Party bunting, Mini bunting, Swallowtail banner). Every starting point stays fully editable.
Which fabric suits the fabric bunting pattern?
Quilting cotton, cotton prints and scraps, linen, light canvas. For single pinked flags, a firmly woven cotton that looks the same both sides. In the maker’s fabric advice, stable woven is a great choice; heavy or stiff works well; slippery or fine is possible with care; stretchy knit is not recommended.