LoveCrafts Bunting Pattern - Downloadable PDF

LoveCrafts Bunting Pattern by Lou Orth – Sewing a Decorative Fabric Bunting

This free downloadable PDF pattern by designer Lou Orth, published by LoveCrafts, guides beginner sewists through the process of creating a charming fabric bunting measuring a finished length of 180 cm. Bunting is a classic and versatile decoration used for celebrations, seasonal displays, and home styling. This particular design is well-suited to festive occasions, making it an ideal beginner sewing project for those looking to add a handmade touch to their décor.

What Is Being Made

The finished project is a length of fabric flag bunting consisting of 6 double-sided triangular flags strung along a ribbon. The bunting stretches to approximately 180 cm in total length, with flags spaced roughly 2½ inches apart and approximately 7–8 inches of ribbon left free at each end for hanging. The double-sided construction means the bunting looks neat and polished from both the front and the back, making it suitable for display in any setting.

Materials Used

• Christmas Village Layer Cake – a pre-cut fabric collection used as the primary material; 12 layer cake squares are required per 180 cm length of bunting
• Trimmits ribbon – 1 ribbon, 180 cm long and ¼ inch wide, used to string the completed flags together
• Bunting template – included or referenced in the pattern to ensure consistent flag shapes
• A ruler or weights to hold the template in place during cutting
• Pins or binding clips for holding fabric layers together during construction
• A sewing machine capable of straight stitching and topstitching
• An iron and pressing surface for neat, professional results

Techniques Used

• Template cutting – each layer cake square is folded in half with wrong sides together, and the bunting template is aligned to the fold before cutting, producing two mirrored flag pieces from a single square
• Right-sides-together sewing – pairs of cut flag pieces are placed with right sides facing and sewn around the edges, a fundamental technique in garment and soft furnishing construction
• Leaving a turning gap – a 2–3 inch gap is left at the top of each flag during sewing to allow the piece to be turned right side out
• Turning and poking out corners – after sewing, each flag is carefully turned right side out and corners are neatened, a technique that gives crisp, clean edges to triangular shapes
• Pressing – thorough pressing with an iron, including turning in the raw edges of the gap, ensures a smooth and professional finish before topstitching
• Topstitching – a line of stitching approximately 1/8 inch from the edge is sewn all the way around each flag, simultaneously closing the turning gap and adding a decorative, structured finish
• Back stitching – used at the start and finish of each seam to secure the stitching and prevent unravelling
• Flag placement and spacing – binding clips are used to mark flag positions along the ribbon without leaving marks on the fabric, allowing for customisable spacing
• Attaching flags to ribbon – the top edge of each flag is folded over the ribbon and stitched in place, securing the flags neatly and evenly along the bunting length
• Knotting ribbon ends – a knot is tied at each end of the ribbon to prevent fraying and provide a tidy finish

Stitches Used

• Straight stitch – the primary stitch used for sewing flag pieces together and for attaching flags to the ribbon
• Back stitch – used at the beginning and end of seams to lock stitching securely
• Topstitch – a visible straight stitch sewn close to the edge of each finished flag for both function and decoration

Seam