Creating Machine Embroidered Bunting

Dress up your home for any kind of party with colorful embroidered bunting!

Fabric triangles embroidered with beautifully arranged decoration add a beautiful look to your home.

To begin, print the pattern piece. There are three different sizes of patterns - one for each size of the designs: large -- 6x10, medium -- 5x7, and small -- 4x4. Download and print the pattern piece according to the size of the design you are embroidering.  Click the link above to view the patterns. The piece will print on one piece of 8 1/2" wide by 11" high paper. Cut out the pattern piece.

To prepare the front fabric pieces, pin the pattern piece onto the fabric and trace the shape. Leave a couple of inches of excess fabric around the shape. 

Then, to mark the next piece, rotate the pattern 180 degrees and align it with the side edge of the first shape (this conserves fabric). Pin in place and trace the shape. Repeat this process for as many buntings as you like.

Create a paper template of the design by printing it at full size using embroidery software. Position the template inside the first shape. Allow at least 3/4" in between the top edge of the design and the top edge of the shape. 

Also, center the design side to side by measuring equal distances in between the side edges of the design and the side edges of the shape (allow at least 1/2" of space in between the edges of the design and the edges of the shape). Using an air-erase pen or other marking tool, poke a hole in the center of the template

Remove the shape and draw lines connecting the marks.  Repeat this process for each of the remaining shapes.

Next, spray a piece of medium weight cutaway stabilizer with temporary adhesive and smooth the fabric on top. Hoop the fabric and stabilizer together by aligning the marks on the hoop with the lines on the fabric.  Attach the hoop to the machine and load the design. Move the hoop so that the needle is directly over the center point on the fabric. Embroider the design. When the design has finished, rehoop the fabric for the next shape, and embroider the design. Repeat this step for each of the shapes.

When all of the designs are finished, cut out the shapes.

To prepare the back fabric, lay the embroidered front pieces on top of the fabric, right sides together, pin in place, and cut out the shapes. Or, you can make your buntings double-sided by embroidering the back piece just as you did the front.  Then, sew a 1/4" seam along the side edges only. Leave the top edge open for turning.

Trim the seam allowance at the bottom point; be careful to not cut any of the stitches. Turn the fabric right side out and press the seams. Then, top stitch a 1/8" seam along the side edges only.

You can add a decorative tassel to add sparkle and interest!  Thread a large eye needle (I used a sharp tapestry needle) with thin ribbon and sew it through the bottom point of the bunting from back to front.  Then, tie a knot or two at the back end of the ribbon to hold it in place. Thread beads over the ribbon. Tie a knot at the opposite end of the ribbon to hold the beads in place.

Next, wrap the bias tape over the tops of the buntings leaving equal distances in between each one (I left about 1 1/2" in between each bunting). Also leave about 6" to 8" of excess at each end. Pin the tape in place. Fold the ends of the tape over 1/2" and pin in place. 

Sew a seam along the inner edge of the tape along the entire length. To create hangers, you can add small plastic or metal rings at each end of the tape by tying or sewing them in place.  Or, simply make loops at each end and stitch them in place.

Dress up your home with bright and colorful bunting. It makes any occasion --and everyday living -- more festive!