How to Sew Patriotic Red, White and Blue Bunting

Forget plastic, store-bought Fourth of July decorations. This year, opt for traditional handmade patriotic bunting. These swags can be made in any size and customized further with applique stars.

By Marian Parsons, Mustard Seed Interiors
Filed under: Sewing, Holiday

Materials Needed:

red cotton twill fabric 7" long x 30" wide
white cotton twill fabric 7" long x 60" wide and 2" long x 40" wide
blue cotton twill fabric 7" long x 55" wide (2 strips)
white cotton all-purpose thread
red cotton all-purpose thread
sharp scissors
yardstick

pencil
large eyelet/grommet kit
hammer
needle
sewing machine
iron
ironing board

Cut Fabric

Measure, mark with pencil and cut fabric to size (Images 1 and 2). Iron wrinkles out of each strip of fabric. Since blue fabric is in two pieces, place right sides together and stitch with sewing machine to make one continuous strip. Lay fabric in a semi-circle in order to ensure measurements of fabric pieces are cut to proper size (Image 3).

Gather and Stitch Center

Thread length of red thread on needle and knot at one end. Pleat the top edge of red fabric and pinch tightly with fingers (Image 1). Insert needle in pleats and pull through until knot catches. Stitch back and forth through pleats until fabric is secured (Image 2). Tip: Use a thimble or fingernail edge to push needle through, if necessary.

Pin and Sew White Stripe

Fan out red fabric. Pleat white fabric and pin to the bottom edge of red stripe (Image 1). Fold seam over, so right sides are together and raw fabric edges are facing the same direction. Sew, removing pins along the way (Image 2). Tip: To keep pleats even, pin left and right sides first. Pull fabric back to find the center point. Pin the center of the white stripe to the center of the red stripe. Divide fabric further into quarters and eighths. Pleat in small sections and pin.