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

Bunting and garlands are a fun and affordable way to decorate your wedding venue. They can be used to tie together your theme and colour palette, adding interest to dark corners or creating a backdrop for your ceremony or cake table. You can even use them to outline the space for the dance floor or as a background for your photo booth. Making your own bunting is an easy DIY project, requiring only basic sewing skills and inexpensive materials. You can choose from a wide variety of materials, including fabric, paper, yarn, crayons, paint chips, coffee filters, and even vintage handkerchiefs. With a little creativity, you can spice up your wedding decor and express your unique style.

Choosing materials: Pick complementary fabrics or paper in your wedding colours

Bunting and garlands are a fun and affordable way to decorate your wedding venue. They can tie together your theme and colour palette, and add interest to dark corners of your venue.

When choosing materials for your wedding bunting garland, it's important to pick complementary fabrics or paper in your wedding colours. If you're making fabric bunting, you'll need to select two or more fabrics to use for the front and back of each bunting piece. You can use pre-cut fat quarters or cut your own pieces from larger fabric scraps. If you're using a variety of fabrics, make sure they complement each other. An easy way to do this is to choose one print fabric that you love and features all of your wedding colours, then match other fabrics to it. Not every fabric has to match, but they should all complement the main print.

If you're using paper for your garland, you can use book pages, scrapbook paper, wallpaper samples, or even old maps in your chosen colour palette. For a simple and effective look, fold paper doilies in half across twine. Or, for a unique, vintage feel, ask friends and family to donate vintage handkerchiefs, which can be pegged or stitched together.

Using a template: Trace a template onto fabric and cut out the bunting shape

To make a wedding bunting garland using a template, start by gathering your supplies. You will need a sewing needle or sewing machine, fabric of your choice, and a template. You can find a free bunting template online or create your own.

Once you have your template, print it out and cut it out. Then, pin the template to your fabric or use a fabric marker or chalk to trace the shape onto the fabric. If you are using a printed template, make sure to trace the mirror image of the shape onto the wrong side of the fabric. Cut out the bunting shape, making sure to leave a seam allowance around the edges.

Repeat this process for as many bunting flags as you need, choosing different fabrics for a varied and colourful look. You can also layer multiple fabrics for a unique effect. Remember to select fabrics that complement each other and suit your wedding theme and colour palette.

After cutting out all your bunting flags, you can move on to the next step of assembling your garland.

Stitching the pieces: Sew the fabric pieces together, leaving the top edge open

Now it's time to stitch the pieces together! Using a sewing machine, start in the top left corner of the first fabric piece and sew towards the bottom, then sew back up to the top right corner, leaving the top edge open. Repeat this process for all of your fabric pieces. It is important to leave the top edge open, as this is where you will insert the bias tape to join the pieces together.

Once you have finished stitching, use pinking shears to cut outside the stitching, being careful not to cut along the open edge. This will give your bunting a neat and precise finish.

After all your individual bunting pieces are stitched and cut, lay them out in the order you want them to hang. This is where your creativity comes into play! You can mix and match different fabrics and patterns to create a unique and personalised look for your wedding bunting garland.

To join the pieces together, use bifold bias tape. Place the top edge of each fabric piece into the fold of the bias tape and pin it in place, ensuring that the tape is folded evenly over the front and back of each piece. Then, simply run the bias tape through your sewing machine, stitching the entire length to secure the fabric pieces together.

Leave some extra bias tape at each end of your bunting garland for easy hanging. You can use this extra length to tie your beautiful creation from a stair rail, window, or anywhere you desire!

Stringing it together: Use bias tape to join the bunting pieces and leave extra tape for hanging

Once you've finished stitching and cutting as many bunting pieces as you need, lay out the shapes in the order you want them to hang. To create a smooth, clean look, use bifold bias tape to join the bunting pieces. Place the top edge of each shape into the bias tape fold and secure it with a pin; the tape should be folded evenly over the front and back of each piece. Run the bias tape through your sewing machine, stitching the entire length to secure the fabric pieces.

When joining the bunting pieces with the bias tape, leave extra tape at each end of your bunting for hanging. The extra tape will allow you to tie the bunting from a stair rail, window, or across a table. You can also hang it as everyday decoration in a children's room.

To hang your bunting, consider the desired height and space it accordingly. You can tie the ends of the bias tape to a variety of structures, such as stair rails, windows, or tables, depending on the desired placement. Adjust the length of the bias tape as needed to achieve the perfect hanging position for your bunting garland.

The bias tape not only serves as a functional element for joining the bunting pieces but also adds to the overall aesthetics of your handmade creation. The smooth and clean appearance it provides will enhance the visual appeal of your wedding bunting garland, making it a delightful addition to your special day's decor.

Mini bunting: Use smaller-scale prints for mini bunting on cakes, chairs, or table numbers

Mini bunting is a great way to add a playful and whimsical touch to your wedding decor. Here are some tips and ideas for creating mini bunting for cakes, chairs, or table numbers:

Fabric and Materials

Use a variety of fabrics and materials to create a unique and textured look for your mini bunting. Combine burlap, lace, and tweed for a rustic and nostalgic feel, or opt for colourful and playful fabrics such as gingham or floral prints. You can also use paper, such as paint chips from a home improvement store, coffee filters coloured with dye, or paper doilies folded across twine. Washi tape is another handy and versatile option for creating mini bunting quickly and easily.

Design and Shape

While traditional bunting is typically triangular, you can experiment with different shapes to create a unique look. Try curved or scalloped edges for a softer finish, or skip the fabric altogether and use paper cards in sharp, skinny cuts to create a feathery texture. For a 3D effect, consider making tassel bunting by packing it densely in a monochromatic palette or adding more space between tassels and incorporating various colours for a more casual feel.

Assembly

To create mini bunting for cakes, you will need fabric, dowel rods, and baker's twine or embroidery thread. Cut out triangles from your chosen fabric, ensuring they are all the same size. Use a template to ensure consistency. Glue the triangles onto the twine, being careful not to use too much glue. Leave some space at the ends of the twine, add a dot of glue, and secure the twine to the dowel rods. Adjust the placement of the dowel rods on the cake to achieve your desired look.

For chairs and table numbers, you can use a similar assembly process, adjusting the length of the twine or string to fit the desired surface. You can also experiment with different ways of hanging the bunting, such as tying it in a bow or looping it through the chair's design.

Personalisation

Personalise your mini bunting to match your wedding theme or colour palette. You can also incorporate elements such as vintage maps, paper airplanes, or even crayon shavings melted between wax paper for a unique and creative touch. If you're feeling extra crafty, try making mini bunting from old handkerchiefs, which can also double as favours for your guests.

Frequently asked questions