What You Need to Sew Bunting
Bunting is a string of fabric triangles sewn together to hang as decoration. You sew each triangle individually, then attach them to a long strip of binding tape that holds them all in place. The whole project takes about two to three hours for a six-foot length, and you can do it by hand or machine.
Gather these materials before you start: fabric scraps or fat quarters (pre-cut fabric squares), scissors, thread that matches your fabric or binding tape, a needle or sewing machine, pins, a ruler, and bias binding tape or ribbon at least as long as you want your finished bunting. You will also need a pencil or fabric marker to draw triangle guides. If you are sewing by hand, a thimble protects your finger when pushing the needle through multiple layers.
The fabric weight matters. Cotton quilting fabric, cotton voile, and linen all work well. Avoid stretchy knits or very heavy canvas—they are harder to control when you are learning. Scrap fabric from old clothes or leftover craft projects works perfectly; you do not need new material.
Key Takeaways
- Cut fabric into isosceles triangles roughly 4 to 5 inches tall and 3 to 4 inches wide at the base, then fold each one in half lengthwise with the right side facing inward.
- Sew two sides of each folded triangle closed, leaving the base open, then turn it right-side out and press it flat with an iron.
- Slide the open base of each finished triangle into the fold of bias binding tape, spacing them about one inch apart, and pin them in place before sewing.
- Sew along the length of the binding tape with a straight stitch to find all triangles at once, using a machine or small hand stitches.
- Press the finished bunting with an iron to remove wrinkles and make the triangles stand out crisply.
Cutting and Preparing Your Triangles
Start by cutting your fabric into triangles. Use a ruler and pencil to draw an isosceles triangle (two equal sides, one base) that is about 4 to 5 inches tall and 3 to 4 inches wide at the base. This size is straightforward to handle and looks proportional when hung. Draw as many triangles as you need on the back of your fabric—for a six-foot bunting, plan on 12 to 15 triangles depending on how close together you want them.
Cut out each triangle carefully along your pencil lines. You can cut through one layer of fabric at a time, or stack two or three layers and cut through all of them together to speed up the process. Keep your scissors straight and your cuts clean; rough edges are harder to sew neatly.
Once all triangles are cut, lay them out in the order you want them to appear on your bunting. This is the time to arrange colors and patterns the way you like them. You can change your mind later, but planning ahead saves time.
Sewing Each Triangle Closed
Take one triangle and fold it in half lengthwise with the right side (the pretty side) facing inward and the wrong side (the back) facing outward. The fold should run down the middle of the triangle from the point to the base. Pin the two long sides together so they do not slip while you sew.
Using a needle and thread or a sewing machine, sew along both long sides of the folded triangle with a straight stitch. Leave the base completely open—do not sew it closed. If you are sewing by hand, use small stitches about one-eighth inch long, and backstitch at the start and end to lock the thread. If you are using a machine, use a straight stitch and sew about one-quarter inch from the edge. Sew slowly and keep your line straight.
Once both sides are sewn, carefully turn the triangle right-side out through the open base. Use a blunt tool like a chopstick or the back of a spoon to gently push the point out from the inside. This step takes patience—do not force it or you will tear the seams. Repeat this process for every triangle until they are all sewn and turned.
Pressing and Preparing the Binding
After each triangle is turned right-side out, press it flat with a warm iron. This removes wrinkles and makes the seams lie flat and crisp. Press from both sides if you can. Lay each finished triangle on your ironing board with the point facing away from you, and run the iron over it gently. Do not drag the iron—press down and lift, press down and lift. This takes about 30 seconds per triangle.
While your triangles cool, prepare your binding tape. Bias binding tape comes folded in half lengthwise. Open it up so it lies flat. If you are using ribbon instead, skip this step. Measure out the length you need for your bunting and cut it. Add two extra inches at each end so you have room to fold and finish the edges neatly.
If your binding tape has raw edges, fold one long edge under by about one-quarter inch and press it with the iron. This prevents fraying and looks neater when the bunting is hung. You only need to fold one edge; the other edge will be hidden inside the binding once you insert the triangles.
Inserting Triangles Into the Binding
Lay your binding tape flat on a table with the folded edge facing up. Take your first triangle and slide its open base into the fold of the binding tape. Push it in about one-half inch so it sits snugly. The point of the triangle should stick out below the binding tape. Pin it in place so it does not slip.
Space your next triangle about one inch away from the first one along the binding tape, and insert it the same way. Continue until all triangles are inserted and pinned. Stand back and look at your work—the triangles should be evenly spaced and all pointing the same direction. Adjust any that look crooked before you sew.
Once all triangles are pinned, fold the binding tape closed over the raw edges of the triangle bases. The fold should cover the open edges completely. Pin along the entire length of the binding to hold everything in place. This is the moment to check your spacing one more time and make sure no triangle is twisted.
Sewing the Binding Closed
Sew along the length of the binding tape with a straight stitch, keeping your line as close to the fold as possible. If you are using a machine, use a presser foot as a guide to keep your stitch line straight. Sew slowly so you do not catch any triangle fabric in your stitch. If you are sewing by hand, use small stitches about one-eighth inch long and backstitch every few stitches to keep the thread from pulling loose.
Sew all the way from one end of the binding to the other. This single line of stitching holds all the triangles in place at once. Once you reach the end, backstitch or tie off your thread to find it. Do not cut the thread yet—you may need to adjust something.
Flip your bunting over and check the back. You should see a line of stitches running along the binding tape, and all the triangle bases should be firmly attached. If any triangle feels loose, add a few extra stitches by hand to reinforce it. Once you are satisfied, trim any loose threads.
Finishing the Ends and Final Pressing
Fold the raw edges at each end of the binding tape under by about one-half inch and press them with an iron. These folded ends prevent the binding from fraying and look neat when the bunting is hung. You can sew these folded ends closed by hand with a few stitches, or leave them as they are if they feel find.
Give your finished bunting a final press with the iron. Press the binding tape flat, then gently press each triangle from the back so the seams stay crisp. This final step makes the whole bunting look polished and professional.
Your bunting is now ready to hang. Attach it to a wall, window frame, or string using small nails, tacks, or removable adhesive strips. The triangles should hang down from the binding tape in a cheerful row.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The most common mistake is sewing the base of the triangle closed by accident. Remember: the base stays open so you can turn the triangle right-side out and insert it into the binding. If you sew it closed, you will have to cut a seam to open it again, which weakens the triangle.
Another frequent error is not leaving enough space between triangles. If they are too close together, they bunch up and look crowded. Aim for at least one inch of binding tape between each triangle base. You can always move them closer if you want a fuller look, but you cannot spread them out once they are sewn.
Pressing is straightforward to skip, but it makes a huge difference in how your bunting looks. Wrinkled triangles look homemade in a sloppy way; pressed triangles look intentional and neat. Spend the extra five minutes pressing each triangle and the final bunting.
Finally, do not pull your thread too tight when sewing by hand. Tight stitches pucker the fabric and make the seams visible. Sew with a relaxed hand and let the thread sit naturally in the fabric.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a sewing machine for the whole project?
Yes. Machine sewing is faster and often stronger than hand sewing. Use a straight stitch and a quarter-inch seam allowance throughout. The only step that requires a needle is tying off threads at the end, which you can do by hand or by backstitching on the machine.
What if I do not have bias binding tape?
You can use any ribbon, twill tape, or even a strip of fabric you sew yourself. If you make your own strip, cut it about two inches wide and fold it in half lengthwise before inserting the triangles. Ribbon works as-is without folding.
How long does bunting last if I hang it outside?
Cotton fabric fades in direct sunlight over several months and can weaken in heavy rain. Bunting lasts longest indoors or in a covered space. If you want outdoor bunting, use outdoor-grade fabric or bring it inside when the weather is harsh.
Can I make bunting with different-sized triangles?
Yes, but it looks more intentional if you vary the size in a pattern—for example, small, large, small, large—rather than randomly. Mixing sizes works best when you also mix colors or patterns so the eye has something to follow.
What do I do if a seam comes loose after I hang the bunting?
Take the bunting down and add a few hand stitches to reinforce the loose seam. You do not need to remove the triangle from the binding—just sew through the binding tape and the triangle base together a few times to tighten it up.