Fabric bunting turns a collection of small offcuts into a coordinated decoration. A paper template helps the flags look deliberate even when the fabrics differ. This version uses two fabric layers per flag and a folded tape along the top. Make a short sample first so you can check the proportions before cutting into your favourite scraps.
Decide the scale and location
Choose where the bunting will hang and measure the available span. Keep it away from flames, heaters, fans, door mechanisms and places where children could become tangled in it. Plan the fixing method before making the decoration. Bunting is decorative only: neither the tape nor its fixings should carry other objects.
Draw and test a template
Draw an isosceles triangle on paper with a base of 16 cm and a height of 20 cm. Draw the intended seam line inside the two sloping edges, allowing 1 cm. Cut two trial pieces and place them right sides together. Sew the sloping edges, leaving the top open. Turn and press the flag to see whether its finished size suits the space. Adjust the paper template now if needed.
Cut and sew matching pairs
Press the usable scraps and position the template with the print direction in mind. Cut two layers for each flag. Sew the sloping edges of each pair, trim excess bulk near the point without cutting the seam, then turn and press. Use a blunt tool to ease the point out. Avoid pulling it hard enough to break the stitches. Keep the open top edge even.
Arrange before attaching
Lay the tape flat and arrange all flags along it. Try alternating a quiet fabric with a busier print rather than grouping every strong pattern together. Leave tape at both ends for the chosen fixing method. Measure a consistent gap between flags and mark their positions. Enclose the raw top edges in the folded tape and stitch steadily along it, checking that the back of the tape is caught.
Finish and store
Remove pins, inspect the stitching and trim loose threads. Hang the bunting with suitable fixings without stretching it tight. If a flag twists, check whether its top was inserted at an angle or the tape was stretched while sewing. For storage, fold the flags together gently rather than tying the whole length in a knot. Keep the paper template and one note about the spacing so you can add matching flags later.
Further reading
Hobbycraft: flag bunting technique and template reference
