I've decided that over the winter I am going to make some bunting for our tent, I'm now pondering what material to use... oil cloth or cotton - any thoughts?
You'll get a wider range of nicer patterns and colours in cotton fabric. Or go properly retro and use recycled fabrics, I've seen fabulous bunting made from old denim jeans plus shirting fabric, for example. Oilcloth doesn't flutter either and what's the point in that?
My daughter made some bunting over the summer to brighten up her bedroom at uni. We found some old duvet covers to cut up that she had when she was young. They were bright colours. All we had to buy was the tape which cost £2 at the market. They came out really well and I was very impressed as it was the first thing she had made with a sewing machine!
I've made bunting from cotton remnants, and polycotton duvet covers - both work well. I make it two-sided; sew two triangles together, turn right side out, press, attach to tape. That way you can have two different variations on colour schemes. I've made Christmas bunting too, from festive fabric - it makes nice cottage decorations, or a quirky gift.
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Quote: Originally posted by free-range-children on 14/9/2013
*attach to tape*
Like this idea but I'm very un skilled. Is it just a case of stitching a triangle which I could do then sticking it to something?
You don't even need to stitch the triangle, just cut it out with pinking shears. Then lay the top edge on a piece of tape and stitch along it. If you want to be really fancy use wide tape and once you've attached all your triangles fold the tape over to enclose the edges and stitch again. Press with an iron to give it a good sharp edge.
There's some demo bunting in our local bargain fabric emporium, and they've just stapled the triangles to the tape! I don't recommend that for outdoor use though - the staples would rust.
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I made my bunting out of old cotton cushion covers I had.
I did mine double sided and then just attached the triangles to some bias binding I had in my sewing box!
Remember that when you have to take down your tent and bunting in the rain at the end of the camp, if you chose to use natural fibres it will all be soggy and saturated. The are advantages in using polyester.
I've just subscribed to that new Sew and Stitch magazine, there's an article on bunting in the first one aswell as lots of other projects which I'm hoping will end up in my tent!
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