Beautiful Bunting
mandy shaw
Just some of my charity shop and car boot finds which I will make into wonderful, long lasting bunting to celebrate summer!
The sight of bunting just fills me with joy! It represents a celebration of some sort whether it be a birthday, wedding, anniversary, party, Christmas, or a school fete. I feel it invites you to come and have fun. We once came across a fete in the village of Amberley, Sussex, I have never in my life seen a village bedecked with so much bunting! Image how much fun was had making it and putting it up!
I am an avid car booter and charity shop browser and love a bit of vintage textile. Embroidered tray and table clothes can be picked up from as little as 50p and they make such fabulous bunting. I keep the best ones for using as tablecloths but those with marks or holes I cut up to make bunting, tea cosies or even quilts!
Of course, you may have an old cloth hidden away in the cupboard, maybe even one that Great Granny made. Its no good in there, make bunting from it and you can remember Granny every time you have a family celebration.
Bunting can be made to any length, it will all depend on your finds while rummaging. If you are lucky enough to find one large embroidered cloth you will be able to make at least a couple of metres, if not, small lengths are very handy to scatter around the garden, then no one will get strangled whilst strolling in the dark!
You can make the bunting from lots of different linens and even use chequered tablecloths for the back so nothing goes to waste. The ric rac really makes it a bit different and adds that special touch. Use all one colour ric rac or mix it all up a bit. Don’t get sentimental about cutting up a piece of old embroidery, if its only going to stay in the back of the cupboard for the rest of its life, cut it up, sew it and use it and have lovely memories of what it used to be!
Nothing cheers up a garden like a bit of beautiful homemade bunting.
If you have a lot of bunting to make why not hold a Bunting Bee? Lay on refreshments, tea and cake, get hold of a few machines and scissors and invite some friend and family to come with recycled fabrics and make gallons of simple bunting for your party. Divide your group into sorters, cutters and sewers.
Download a printable version of Mandy’s Bunting Blog here