Creating Rustic Wedding Bunting With Burlap

Planning a wedding can be a lot of fun, especially when it comes to decorations. Bunting is a great way to add a personalised touch to your big day and is easy to make, even for those who aren't craft-inclined. Burlap is a popular choice for wedding bunting due to its cool texture, neutral colour, and affordability. It's also a good option if you don't want to do a lot of sewing, as it can be used as a single layer of fabric. In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to make your own burlap wedding bunting, from creating a template to assembling the final product. So, whether you're looking to add a rustic touch to your decor or want to create unique signage, read on to learn how to make wedding bunting using burlap.

Cut out burlap triangles

To make your wedding bunting out of burlap, you'll need to start by cutting out triangles from your burlap fabric. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Start by deciding on the size of your triangles. You can draw or print out a triangle shape on cardstock or regular paper, making sure it's the desired size for your bunting. For example, you could measure out 6 inches across, then from the 3-inch mark, go down 7 inches and make a dot, connecting it to create a triangle.
• Iron out your burlap fabric to remove any creases before cutting. This will make it easier to work with and ensure precise cutting.
• Using your template, trace the triangle shape onto the burlap fabric. You can use a pen or a permanent marker to draw the outline.
• Cut out as many triangle shapes as you need for your bunting. The number of triangles depends on the message you want to display and the spacing between them. For a simple "Mr. & Mrs." bunting, you would need 6 triangles.
• Before proceeding to the next step, decide if you want to add any additional elements to your triangles, such as letters or designs. If you plan to add letters, it's a good idea to brush the triangles with Mod Podge first to prevent fraying and stiffen the fabric.
• Cut the triangles along the traced lines. Take your time and ensure straight and precise cuts to achieve a neat finish.

Now that your burlap triangles are cut out, you can move on to the next steps of assembling your wedding bunting, such as adding letters or attaching them to a string or ribbon.

Create a template

To create a template for your wedding bunting, you'll need to start by deciding on the size and shape of your bunting flags. A triangle is a common shape for bunting, but you can also get creative and experiment with other shapes if you prefer.

Once you've decided on the shape, draw it out on a piece of cardstock paper or computer paper. You can also print out a template from the internet if you prefer. Make sure the template is the exact size you want your flags to be, including any extra allowance for folding or attaching to a string. Cut out your template carefully, using scissors or a rotary cutter.

If you want to add text or a design to your bunting, it's a good idea to plan this out on your template as well. Draw or print out the letters or design in the centre of the triangle, making sure they are proportionate and easy to see. This will give you a good idea of how your finished bunting will look.

Now that you have your template, you're ready to start tracing and cutting out your burlap flags. Place the template on top of your burlap fabric and use a pen, permanent marker, or chalk to trace around it. Cut out each flag, being careful to cut just inside the traced line to avoid any pen marks on your flags. Repeat this process until you have enough flags for your desired bunting length.

Print letters

Printing letters for your bunting is a great way to ensure uniformity and precision in your design. Here are the steps you can follow:

Step 1: Choose a Font and Size

Select a font style and size that complements your bunting design. Consider the overall aesthetic of your wedding and choose a font that aligns with the theme. You may want a classic, modern, whimsical, or rustic look. Download or have a specific font style in mind before proceeding to the next steps.

Step 2: Create a Template

Open a word processing or design software program. Type out the desired letters, ensuring they are in your chosen font and size. Adjust the letter size so that they fit well within the burlap triangles, leaving a reasonable margin around the edges. Play around with different sizes until you find the perfect fit. Print out the letters, making sure they are centred on the page to minimise paper waste.

Step 3: Transfer the Letters

Tape the printed sheet of paper to a window, and then tape the first burlap triangle over it. The window will allow light to shine through, making the printed letter visible through the burlap. This will help you accurately trace the letter onto the burlap. You can also place the letter under the burlap if it is still visible for tracing.

Step 4: Tracing

Using a piece of chalk, trace over the letters on each burlap triangle. Chalk is a good option as it is easy to use, non-permanent, and shows up well on the burlap. However, you can also use a fabric marker or pen for this step. Ensure you are happy with the positioning of the letters before proceeding.

Step 5: Paint or Colour the Letters

Remove the burlap from the window and carefully paint over the traced letters. You can use a small, detailed brush and white paint, as suggested by Mountain Modern Life, or opt for a paint marker or a Sharpie. You may need to apply multiple coats for full coverage, depending on the colour of your burlap and the paint you are using. Allow the paint to dry completely before handling the triangles further.

Step 6: Test and Adjust

Once the paint is dry, review the appearance of the letters. Check if they are easy to read and visible from a distance. If needed, outline the letters with a fine-tipped marker or go over them again with paint for added definition. Ensure you are satisfied with the final look before proceeding to the next steps of assembling your bunting.

Attach letters to the triangles

Now that you have your letters printed out and your burlap triangles cut out and ready, it's time to attach the letters to the triangles. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide:

Attaching the Letters:

• Tracing the Letters: Tape the printed sheet of paper with your chosen letters to a window. Then, take your first burlap triangle and tape it over the printed sheet, ensuring that it is lined up correctly. You should now be able to see the letter through the burlap, which will help you trace it onto the triangle. You can use a piece of chalk to trace the letter, as it is easy to use, not permanent, and shows up well on the burlap. Alternatively, you can use a permanent marker or a pen, but be careful as it might get caught in the weave of the burlap.
• Painting the Letters: Once you have traced all the letters, remove the burlap triangles from the window. Now, you can paint over the traced letters. You can use white paint and a small brush, or a paint marker, or even a sharpie. Feel free to choose a darker colour if your bunting will be used outdoors, as lighter colours might not show up well without a solid backdrop.
• Attaching the Triangles: After the paint has dried, you can attach the triangles to your chosen string or ribbon. You can sew the ribbon to the triangles, or use a hot glue gun for a quicker option. Make sure to leave some space between each triangle and add extra length to the string or ribbon so that you can easily tie it up when you're ready to display your bunting.

Additional Tips:

• If you have nice handwriting, you can simply write the letters directly onto the burlap triangles, skipping the tracing and painting steps.
• If you want to avoid the hassle of tracing and painting, you can use stencils or a silhouette machine to create the letters.
• To add a unique touch, consider using curved bunting instead of the classic triangles. This will create a pretty scalloped effect when hung close together, giving your bunting a softer and more whimsical look.

Assemble the bunting

Now that you have your burlap triangles ready, it's time to assemble your wedding bunting! Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

Step 1: Prepare the ribbon or yarn:

Before you start attaching the triangles, cut your ribbon or yarn to the desired length, taking into account the spacing between each flag and leaving some extra length on each side for hanging. You can use a string, yarn, or small rope, depending on the look you want to achieve.

Step 2: Attach the triangles:

There are a few ways to attach the triangles to your ribbon or yarn. You can sew them together, or if you prefer a quicker method, you can use a hot glue gun to glue the triangles to the ribbon. Another option is to staple the triangles to the ribbon, making sure the staples are not visible from the front. Leave a small gap between each triangle to allow for some movement and ensure they are securely attached.

Step 3: Add any additional decorations:

If you want to add any extra decorations to your bunting, such as lace, twine, or other embellishments, now is the time to do so. You can attach these with glue, staples, or by sewing them on, depending on the material and your personal preference.

Step 4: Test the assembly:

Once you've attached all the triangles and any additional decorations, test the assembly by hanging the bunting up. Adjust the spacing and positioning of the triangles as needed to achieve the desired look.

Step 5: Finalize the bunting:

After making any necessary adjustments, your wedding bunting is almost ready! If needed, iron the bunting to remove any creases and give it a neat, polished look. Your burlap wedding bunting is now complete and ready to be displayed at your wedding!

Feel free to add any personal touches or experiment with different materials and colours to make your wedding bunting unique and special. Enjoy crafting your beautiful wedding decoration!

Frequently asked questions