What You Need to Make a Bunting Banner

A bunting banner is a string of fabric triangles sewn together and hung as decoration. You sew small triangles of fabric onto a length of bias tape or ribbon, which becomes the hanging edge. The whole project takes about two to three hours for a banner six to eight feet long, depending on how many triangles you cut and how comfortable you are at the sewing machine.

Gather these materials before you start: cotton fabric (quilting cotton works well), bias tape or ribbon at least half an inch wide, thread that matches your fabric or bias tape, scissors, a ruler, a pencil, and pins. You will also need a sewing machine with a straight stitch setting and an iron to press seams as you go. If you do not have bias tape, you can make your own from fabric scraps, but buying it saves time on your first banner.

For a six-foot banner with triangles about four inches tall, plan to cut 24 to 30 triangles. A fat quarter of fabric (an 18-by-22-inch piece) gives you roughly eight to ten triangles, so buy two or three fat quarters if you want a mix of colors and patterns. Solid fabrics and small prints both work; large prints can look busy when cut into small triangles.

Key Takeaways

  • Cut isosceles triangles (two equal sides) about four inches tall and three inches wide at the base for a standard bunting banner.
  • Fold each triangle in half lengthwise with right sides together, sew two sides, turn it right-side out, and press flat before attaching to the bias tape.
  • Pin all triangles onto the bias tape first, spacing them evenly, then sew them down in one pass to save time and keep spacing consistent.
  • Press the bias tape closed over the raw edges of the triangles after sewing to create a finished, professional look.
  • Hang your banner using the bias tape edge, which is strong enough to support the weight of the fabric triangles.

Cutting Triangles the Right Size and Shape

Start by cutting your triangles to a consistent size so your banner looks even. An isosceles triangle (two equal sides) about four inches tall and three inches wide at the base is a good standard size for a first banner. Mark your measurements on the back of your fabric with a pencil and ruler, then cut along the lines with sharp scissors.

The fastest way to cut many triangles is to mark a grid on your fabric. Draw a line three inches from the top edge, then mark points three inches apart along that line. From each point, draw diagonal lines up to the top corners. This creates a row of triangles you can cut quickly. Repeat the grid below to use all your fabric. You will have some waste, but this method is much faster than cutting each triangle individually.

Stack your cut triangles in a pile and count them. For a six-foot banner, aim for 24 to 30 triangles. If you have fewer, your banner will have more space between triangles; if you have more, they will overlap slightly, which is fine. Keep your triangles organized by color or pattern so you can arrange them on the bias tape before sewing.

Folding and Sewing Each Triangle

Each triangle needs to be folded and sewn so the raw edges are hidden inside. Take one triangle and fold it in half lengthwise with the right sides (the pretty sides) facing each other. The fold should run from the point at the top down to the middle of the base. Pin the two long sides together so they do not slip while you sew.

Set your sewing machine to a straight stitch with a stitch length of about 2.5 millimeters. Sew along both long sides of the triangle, starting at the top point and sewing down to the base. Leave the base edge open—do not sew across it. Backstitch at the beginning and end of each seam to lock the thread. Trim the thread and remove the pins.

Turn the triangle right-side out by pulling it through the open base. Use a blunt tool like a chopstick or the back of a spoon to push the point out from the inside so it is sharp and clean. Press the triangle flat with an iron, paying special attention to the seams so they lie flat. The open base should now be a straight edge with no visible seams. Repeat this process for all your triangles before moving to the next step.

Pinning Triangles to the Bias Tape

Lay your bias tape out on a flat surface, wrong side up (the side that will face away from viewers). Measure the length and mark the center point with a pin. This is where you will place your middle triangle, which helps you space the rest evenly on both sides.

Place your first triangle at the center with its open base sitting on top of the bias tape, about a quarter inch from the edge. The triangle should point downward, away from the tape. Pin it in place. Then place triangles on either side, spacing them about one-quarter to one-half inch apart depending on how full you want your banner to look. Closer spacing creates a denser look; wider spacing shows more of the tape between triangles.

Work outward from the center in both directions, pinning as you go. If you run out of tape before you run out of triangles, you can trim the tape to length once all triangles are pinned. If you have tape left over at the ends, that is fine—you can fold it back or trim it later. Step back and look at your spacing. Adjust any triangles that look crooked or unevenly spaced before you sew.

Sewing Triangles to the Bias Tape

Once all triangles are pinned, sew them to the bias tape in one continuous line. Set your machine to a straight stitch and position the needle so it will sew right along the edge of the bias tape, catching the open base of each triangle. Sew slowly and carefully, removing pins as you approach them. Backstitch at the start and end.

The seam should run along the edge of the bias tape, about one-eighth inch from the fold. This seam holds the triangles in place and will be hidden when you fold the bias tape closed. If your seam is too far from the edge, the triangles may not be find; if it is too close to the fold, the bias tape will not close properly over the raw edges.

Once you have sewn all the triangles down, trim any excess bias tape at the ends, leaving about one inch on each side for hanging loops or finishing. You can fold these ends back and sew them down, or leave them as is if you plan to tie the banner to a rod or string.

Pressing the Bias Tape Closed

The bias tape now has triangles sewn to one side and a raw edge on the other. Fold the bias tape over the raw edges of the triangles to hide them and create a finished look. Press with an iron as you fold to make the crease sharp and permanent.

Fold the tape so it wraps around the base of the triangles and covers the seam you just made. Pin it in place if needed. Sew along the folded edge of the bias tape with a straight stitch, sewing as close to the fold as you can. This seam locks the bias tape in place and finishes the banner. The triangles are now sandwiched between two layers of bias tape, with no raw edges visible.

Press the entire banner with an iron one more time to flatten any wrinkles and set all the seams. Your banner is now complete and ready to hang.

Hanging Your Bunting Banner

The bias tape edge is strong enough to support the weight of the fabric triangles, so you can hang your banner by the tape alone. Drape it over a curtain rod, string, or ribbon. If you left extra tape at the ends, you can fold it into loops and sew them closed, then hang the loops on hooks or nails.

For a temporary installation, use painter's tape or removable adhesive hooks to avoid damaging walls. For a permanent display, small nails or hooks work well. The banner will hang straight and the triangles will point downward naturally due to gravity and the weight of the fabric.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The most common mistake is sewing the triangles with the wrong sides facing out, which leaves visible seams. Always fold with right sides together and turn the triangle right-side out before attaching it to the bias tape. Another frequent error is leaving the base of the triangle too wide or uneven, which makes it hard to sew neatly to the tape. Take time to press each triangle flat and make sure the base is a clean, straight edge.

Uneven spacing between triangles is also common, especially if you do not pin them all down before sewing. Pinning everything first lets you see the whole banner and adjust spacing before you commit to sewing. If you sew as you go, you may end up with bunched triangles on one end and gaps on the other.

Finally, do not skip pressing. Pressing seams as you go makes the final banner look professional and helps you catch mistakes early. A wrinkled banner looks homemade in a bad way; a pressed one looks intentional and polished.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different fabric like felt or fleece?

Cotton quilting fabric is easiest because it presses well and sews cleanly. Felt works but does not press as crisply and can look limp. Fleece is too thick for the seams and will bunch up. Linen and linen blends work well if you want a more rustic look. Avoid stretchy fabrics like jersey or knits unless you stabilize them with interfacing first.

What if I do not have a sewing machine?

You can hand-sew a bunting banner, but it takes much longer—plan on six to eight hours instead of two to three. Use a small, tight running stitch and thread that matches your fabric. The seams will be less even than machine-sewn ones, but hand-sewn banners have a charming, handmade quality. Use the same folding and pressing steps; only the sewing changes.

How do I make my own bias tape if I cannot find it?

Cut strips of fabric two inches wide and as long as you need. Fold the long edges inward to meet in the middle, then fold the whole strip in half lengthwise and press. This creates a four-layer tape that works the same way as store-bought bias tape. It takes extra time but costs less if you have fabric scraps at home.

Can I wash a finished bunting banner?

Yes, but hand-wash in cool water with mild soap and lay flat to dry. Machine washing can loosen the seams and fade the colors. If your banner gets dusty, you can also vacuum it gently with a brush attachment or shake it outside to remove dust without washing.

What size should I make for a specific space?

Measure the width of the space where you want to hang it. A four-inch-tall triangle takes up about three inches of horizontal space (the width of the base). Multiply the number of triangles you want by three inches to find the total width. For a six-foot space, plan on 24 triangles. You can always add or remove triangles to fit your space exactly.