How to Make Patriotic Bunting - The Easy, Inexpensive Way

Materials: 2 Yards Navy Broadcloth (often found in the quilting section) 2 Yards White Broadcloth 4 Yards Red Broadcloth Grommets, setting tools (optional)

I got all the fabric on sale for about $2/yard, so this project cost me under $18.  I chose 42” broadcloth because it is lightweight and cheap.  These supplies will make 3 54” buntings.  Basically, you make a rectangle, accordion-fold it, secure the center, then sew the ends together down the center.  I added grommets at the corners, but you can attach string for hanging instead.  The grommet kit was an additional $4 and included the anvil and setter tools – all you need is a hammer to set them.

1.      Wash and dry the fabric to preshrink it.  This is important because each fabric shrinks differently.  Prewashing also helps prevent color-running.

2.      Cut the fabric:

The dimensions are approximate, depending on shrinkage, so I am giving you my measurements after prewashing and shrinking the 42”-wide fabric.  Each piece of fabric was cut into equally-sized strips the length of the 2 yards of fabric.  I ironed and folded the fabric and used a rotary cutter.

White:  Cut 6 equally-wide strips about 7 ¼” X 55”

Red:  Cut 12 equally-wide strips about 7 ¼” X 55”

Blue:  Cut 3 equally-wide strips about 14” X 55”

3.      Sew the strips together to make a striped rectangle with the center stripe the color you want in the center-top of the bunting.  In this example, I wanted blue at the center-top, surrounded by red and white stripes.  Trim it so it is square and finish the edges.

4.      Perpendicular to the stripes, accordion-fold in 2½” intervals and pin into place.

5.      Sew across the center using a heavy-duty needle.

6.      Fan out the ends, pin and sew the center seam.

7.      Set grommets in the corners (optional).

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