Create Royal Wedding Bunting: A Step-By-Step Guide

Bunting is a popular decoration for weddings, and with good reason. It's a simple yet striking way to add a romantic, festive, or vintage touch to your big day. Whether you're planning a classic, rustic, or festival-themed wedding, bunting can be customised to suit any style, theme, or budget. In this article, we'll show you how to make your own royal wedding bunting, with step-by-step instructions and creative ideas for customisation. From choosing the right fabric to displaying your bunting in style, we'll help you add a regal flair to your celebration. So, get ready to unleash your creativity and add a touch of handmade magic to your special day!

Choosing the right fabric

When making royal wedding bunting, choosing the right fabric is essential to achieving the desired look and feel. Here are some factors to consider when selecting your fabric:

Colour and Pattern

The colour and pattern of the fabric will set the tone for your wedding bunting. If you're aiming for a country, rustic, or vintage feel, consider using pastel-coloured or patterned vintage fabric. Neutral-coloured bunting can also be super elegant and sophisticated. Bright and bold colours can add a playful and festive touch to your decor. You can even use ribbon in various sizes and colours to create a vibrant and unique form of bunting.

Fabric Type

The type of fabric you choose will depend on the overall style and theme of your wedding. For a classic, vintage-style wedding, consider using fabrics like cotton, chiffon, lace, or satin. These fabrics will give your bunting a soft, romantic touch. If you want to add some sparkle and shine, incorporate pearls, sequins, or beads. For a more rustic or outdoor wedding, burlap is an excellent choice. It adds a natural warmth and charm to your decor. You can also mix and match fabrics like burlap, lace, and tweed for a unique look.

Fabric Weight and Durability

Consider the weight and durability of the fabric, especially if you plan to use the bunting outdoors. You'll need a fabric that can withstand wind and weather conditions if you're hanging the bunting outside. A lightweight fabric may be more suitable for indoor bunting, while a heavier fabric will hold up better outdoors.

Fabric Length and Amount

Before choosing your fabric, decide on the length of your bunting and the size of each flag. This will help you determine the amount of fabric needed. Each flag will require a certain amount of fabric, and you'll also need to account for any gaps between the flags. Measure and plan accordingly to ensure you have sufficient fabric for your project.

Personalisation

To make your royal wedding bunting truly unique, consider personalising the fabric. You can print or embroider names, monograms, or the wedding date onto the fabric. This adds a special touch and makes the bunting even more memorable.

In summary, when choosing the right fabric for your royal wedding bunting, consider the colour, pattern, fabric type, weight, durability, and amount needed. Don't be afraid to mix and match fabrics and add personal touches to create one-of-a-kind bunting that reflects the style and theme of your special day.

Cutting and measuring

To make your own wedding bunting, you'll need to do some careful measuring and cutting. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Create a Template

Decide on the size of your bunting triangles. A common size is a triangle with a width of 20 cm and a height of 30 cm. You can also use a template, like the one provided by Simply Sewing, which has a flag size of 25x40 cm (10x16 inches). Create a cardboard template with your chosen measurements to ensure your triangles are consistent.

Step 2: Cut the Fabric

Fold your fabric in half and place the template on top, with the top edge aligned with the fold. Trace around the template and then cut out the triangles. When you open them, they will form a diamond shape, ready to be folded into triangles.

Step 3: Prepare the Triangles

Fold the diamond shapes in half to create triangles, with the right sides of the fabric facing outwards. Iron the fold to create a sharp edge.

Step 4: Sew the Triangles

Pin the open edges of the triangles to prepare them for sewing. Sew along the open edge, leaving a hem of approximately 1 cm. Remember to leave the top edge (the folded edge) unsewn.

Step 5: Prepare the Bias Binding

Measure and cut your bias binding to the desired length of your bunting. The bias binding is what you'll use to string together your flags. Fold it in half lengthwise and iron it to create a crease.

Step 6: Pin the Triangles in Place

Open the bias binding and insert the top edge of a triangle into the fold. Pin the triangle in place, ensuring it's snug against the fold. Repeat this process for all your triangles, spacing them evenly along the bias binding.

Step 7: Sew the Bunting

Start at one end of the bias binding and sew along the open edge, securing the triangles in the fold as you go. Continue sewing until you reach the other end. Don't forget to backstitch at the beginning and end to reinforce the stitching.

Step 8: Finishing Touches

Trim any loose threads and give your bunting a final press with an iron for a crisp finish.

Now you have your beautiful, handmade wedding bunting ready to decorate your royal wedding venue!

Sewing the triangles

Now that you've cut out your fabric triangles, it's time to start sewing! Place the two pieces of fabric with their right sides (RS) together and pin the flag template centrally on top. Cut around the template through both layers of fabric. Unpin the template, then pin the two triangles of fabric together.

Using a sewing machine or hand-sewing needle, stitch the two fabric triangles together. Sew down one top short edge, then down the side, up the other side, and finally, up the other short straight edge. Remember to leave the top edge open and reverse stitch at the beginning and end of your stitching to secure the thread.

Trimming the seams will reduce the fabric bulk at the bottom point of the triangle, helping it to lie flatter and have a sharper point once it's turned RS out. Be careful not to cut the stitches when you trim. After trimming, turn the triangles RS out and press them with a light iron so that the seams lie flat and neat along the edges.

Attaching the Flags

Now it's time to attach the flags to your length of cotton tape or bias binding. Fold your binding in half lengthwise with the wrong sides (WS) together and press to create a neat crease down the centre. Open the binding and insert the top edge of a triangle into the fold, ensuring it lines up with the fold. Pin the triangle in place, then repeat this process for the remaining triangles, spacing them evenly along the binding.

Sewing the Bunting Together

You're almost done! Now, start at one end of the binding and sew along the open edge, making sure to secure the triangles in the fold as you go. Continue sewing until you reach the other end. Don't forget to backstitch at the beginning and end of your stitching to reinforce it.

Trim any loose threads and give your bunting a final press with the iron for a crisp finish. And there you have it—your very own royal wedding bunting, ready to be hung with pride!

Preparing the bias binding

The bias binding is what you'll string your bunting triangles onto, so it needs to be long enough to fit all your flags with a bit of extra room on either end for tying. Measure and cut your bias binding to the desired length of your finished bunting.

Next, fold the binding in half lengthwise and iron it to create a neat crease down the middle. This will make it easier to stitch your flags onto the binding and ensure they all face the same direction.

Now it's time to pin your triangles in place. Open up the binding and insert the top edge of a triangle into the fold, pinning it in place so that it sits snugly against the fold. Repeat this process for all your triangles, spacing them evenly along the binding. You can use the measurements provided earlier to guide the spacing between flags.

With all your triangles pinned in place, it's time to stitch them onto the binding. Start at one end of the binding and sew along the open edge, making sure to secure each triangle in the fold as you go. Continue sewing until you reach the other end. Don't forget to backstitch at the beginning and end to reinforce the stitching and prevent any unwanted unravelling!

Hanging the bunting

Indoor Hanging Ideas:

• Suspend the bunting in front of windows or over entryways to create an inviting style statement.
• Use removable adhesive hooks to display the bunting along walls or over cabinets.
• Drape the bunting over fireplace mantels or shelving for a sweet touch.
• Decorate bannisters by winding bunting garlands around them.
• For a more dramatic effect, crisscross bunting overhead in a lattice pattern.

Outdoor Hanging Ideas:

• Hang bunting between trees to create a whimsical pathway or to frame a picnic area.
• Weave bunting through fence slats or hang it along the top of a fence to add colour and interest.
• If you're using tents or marquees, outline the structure's shape or hide poles and ropes with bunting.
• Utilise natural foliage when hanging bunting outdoors to create mesmerising displays and canopies for your guests to enjoy.

Other Display Ideas:

• Add bunting to your wedding props, such as cake tables and vintage bikes, to make them even prettier.
• Hang family photos or prints of the happy couple from string or ribbon to create photo bunting, a fabulous alternative way to display your favourite pics at the ceremony.
• Create a table plan with a bunting motif, or use mini bunting as a cake topper or for table names and numbers.
• Jazz up the backs of chairs, whether it's just the bride and groom's thrones or all the guests' seats, with a bit of bunting for a vintage feel.

Safety and Restrictions:

Remember to always check with your wedding venue before hanging any decorations. Some venues may have restrictions on where and how bunting can be hung, and there may be safety considerations to keep in mind, such as the need to use a ladder for high spaces.

With these ideas and a bit of creativity, you'll be well on your way to a beautiful and festive royal wedding celebration!

Frequently asked questions