Fat Quarter Project; Scalloped Bunting
The “Pastel Funfetti” fat quarters in August’s SHJ box just screams celebration and make the perfect reusable bunting for any happy occasion – birthdays, garden parties, weddings… Saturday! To make this bunting a little different from the usual we have created a pretty scalloped shape.
You will need:
- 3 fabric fat quarters – iron to get any creases/folds out.
- Bias binding or cotton tape
- Sewing machine with a universal needle
- Thread
- Rotary cutter & cutting mat or fabric scissors
- Bowl or similar to create a template from
- Paper and pencil
- Chalk/Fabric marker
- Pins/clips
- Pinking Shears (Optional)
Remember to back stitch at the start and end each time you sew – this is essential to secure your stitches.
I will be using a ⅜” / 1cm seam allowance throughout, unless specified otherwise.
- First we need to create a template for the scallop shape. I’m using a bowl, but you can use whatever you want – just choose a shape/size that you like! Draw around it and then cut it out – this is your bunting template.
- Decide how many bunting flags you would like – remember that you need 2 shapes for each flag. Use your template to cut out your desired number of fabric shapes – my bunting will have 7 flags, so I have cut out 14 pieces.
- Put your shapes into pairs, place each pair right sides together and pin/clip around the curved edge.
- Sew the curved edge on each pair of shapes. Take your time so that your seam allowance is accurate and even all the way round.
- We need to clip into the curved edge so that it sits nicely when turned the right way out. The quickest way to do this is with pinking shears – trim off the seam allowance, but be careful not to cut into the stitching line! Alternatively, cut little triangles out of the seam allowance all the way round the curved edge, leaving about 1cm between each one. Get as close to the stitching line as possible with cutting into it. Now trim the seam allowance down to half its width.
- Turn all the shapes so they are right sides out. Use a point turner or chop stick to ease out the curve. Give them a good press.
- Fold your bias binding in half to find the centre point – mark with a pin. Now lay out the binding and place one scallop shape at the centre point. Fold the binding over the straight edge of the scallop shape, enclosing the raw edges. Pin/Clip to secure.
- You now need to decide on the distance between each flag – I have opted for 5cm. Don’t leave too large a gap as your bunting will look sparse. Continue securing your flags in between the binding until you have used up all your flags. Remember you will need a good length of spare binding at each end so that your bunting can be hung up.
- At each end, open up the binding so it is flat. Fold the short raw edge in by 1cm and top stitch in place.
- Now stitch all the way along the binding (which should be folded in half), from one short end to the other. This will secure the flags in place as you sew.
You’re finished! The perfect decoration and a bit different from your standard bunting!
If you get stuck on any aspects of the tutorial, please feel free to send me a message and I’ll help.
Share your finished makes on instagram, using the hashtag #SewHayleyJaneFQ and tag me @sewn_on_the_tyne
See you next month,
Tamlyn xx