Welcome to design pack We’ve got lots of ideas and suggestions you can use to make your own bunting or window dressing, and want to ‘bring out the bunting’ and celebrate Italian food, culture and heritage in style! Whether you’re an absolute beginner or a seasoned bunter with crafty knowhow, this pack is for you. We’ve gathered some basic instructions, fun ideas and themed templates to get you started on your very own Ferragosto at home project.
This includes: • Bunting design • Bunting material • Make your own bunting • Window dressing and decoration • Design templates • Stencils
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If you have your own ideas and inspiration we’d love to hear all about it. Be sure to share on social media using #ferragostoathome so we can show everyone how creative the City of Canada Bay can be.
Welcome to our Ferragosto at home design pack We’ve got lots of ideas and suggestions you can use to make your own bunting or window dressing, and want to ‘bring out the bunting’ and celebrate Italian food, culture and heritage in style! Whether you’re an absolute beginner or a seasoned bunter with crafty know-how, this pack is for you. We’ve gathered some basic instructions, fun ideas and themed templates to get you started on your very own Ferragosto at home project. This includes:
• Bunting design • Bunting material • Make your own bunting • Window dressing and decoration • Design templates • Stencils If you have your own ideas and inspiration we’d love to hear all about it. Be sure to share on social media using #ferragostoathome so we can show everyone how creative the City of Canada Bay can be. .
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Bunting design Here are some important things to think about before you start. 1. Size
How big do you want your flags to be, and how far apart will they be strung? Bunting made of smaller flags work better in smaller places such as balconies and shop windows. Top Tip: Start by cutting a few different sized paper triangles and play around with sizes and spacing
2. Flag shapes and colours
Are you going with traditional triangles or something different? Check out our templates for inspiration! Choose your colours — just the red, white and green of the Italian flag or others?
3. Decoration
It will be easier if you decorate your flags before you sew them together. Decoration could be lettering, shapes, pictures or stencils or other materials such as buttons and sequins. This could reflect personal or local interests, or a celebration of your favourite Italian food, heritage, culture or places. We have included some templates that can be cut, coloured in and collaged onto windows and banners. Don’t use staples or pins to attach anything as they cut fingers and can tangle up the lines.
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4. Make it personal
Put the name of your place, group or family on your bunting flags. You could write messages or make poetry bunting! For fabric letters, use Vliesofix Bondaweb or stitch to applique your own words or sayings.
5. Where will your bunting go and what will you attach it to?
This will determine the lengths you will need and how to fix it in place. Each bunting line should be no more than 10 metres long but you can make as many lines as you like. Don’t forget that your bunting will hang down a little so allow some extra length. You should leave at least 30cm of tape at either end of your flags to tie or pin up your bunting — or more if you are attaching it to something wider. If you use ribbon or string to hang your bunting it will need to be thick and strong. The best thing to use is woven seam tape or bias binding. Finally, if it is going outdoors you’ll need to make sure it is weatherproof and will last.
Bunting material 1. Choosing your fabric
You can choose just one fabric as many different ones as you like. Can you recycle or reuse? Do you have fabric leftover from projects, or old clothing or bedding you no longer need? Consider the type — does it curl when cut? Does it hold its shape and hang well? Is it quick drying? Consider its thickness. Is it easy to work with using a sewing machine? Think about how many flags with each fabric — will it be equal amounts of each or mix and match as you go along? It’s always easier to work with smooth fabric — if yours is creased, then press it before you begin. Top Tip: Avoid using shear or thin fabrics such as chiffon or organza on their own. These fabrics can be laid on top of cut, fabric shapes as applique decorations
2. Will your flags be single or double thickness?
If using a single layer of fabric then check if the fabric frays when cut. If it does, then hem the edges so it stays looking smart. Fabrics such as polycotton and felt is less prone to fraying and can be cut using pinking shears. Double thickness will be stronger and longer lasting and you’ll be able to play with different colours front and back. This process is more involved and does take longer.
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3. What about paper or card?
This can be quick and cheap to make but if it is going outdoors it needs to be weatherproof. Ideally you should laminate your paper or card triangles and use a hole punch on two corners to thread ribbon through. Laminating ensures that colour pens don’t run and your collaged designs stay in place. Top Tip: Use different coloured paper, card or coloured foils. Once flattened, collaged and laminated flat, your colourful sheets can be cut into your chosen shapes. Any reflective materials look beautiful in the sun.
4. Consider the environment
If it is going outdoors then test your bunting. Ensure that it won’t fray and that bits won’t drop off. Avoid using water soluble glue to attach decorations (just in case it rains). You can stitch or use Vliesofix Bondaweb on fabric, and laminate paper or card flags.
Making your own bunting What you will need
• Templates — download and print them off from this document or make your own • Good fabric scissors and pinking shears (the latter recommended for single thickness bunting) • 25mm wide bias binding or wide ribbon • Tailor’s chalk • Straight pins • Tape measure • Fabric scraps for decoration (applique) • Vliesofix Bondaweb — iron on (heat reactive) adhesive web • Iron and ironing board • Sewing machine, overlocker or needles and threads for hand stitching. Now that you’ve planned your design and have everything ready, you can get started!
2. Pin your bunting
Arrange your flags in a combination that you are happy with. This may take a while. Cut your bias binding to the right length, then fold it in half and press using the iron (you can omit this step, but it will make life easier in the later on).
Arrange your flags along the length of the bias binding, trapping it between the folded binding. Pin each flag in place (we suggest using two pins per flag — see diagram below) and leave around a thumb space between flags.
1. Cut out your flags
Use the template and the tailor’s chalk on the reverse of your fabric to mark out your flags. Try to minimise fabric wastage when you’re doing this. If your fabric doesn’t have ‘right way up’ you can tessellate the flags to get the maximum use out of the fabric.
Remember: leave around 30cm of binding at either end of the flags to hang your bunting.
3. Sew your bunting
Sew along the bias binding, removing the pins as you go. Your bunting is ready to enjoy! Cut out the flags using pinking shears. This prevents the fabric from fraying and means that you don’t need to hem the flags — yay!
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Other techniques There are also lots of different ways to make bunting online — do a Google search or check out Pinterest. Here are a few examples: Quick and easy technique at madetosew.com madetosew.com/quick-easy-liberty-bunting/ Reversible fabric bunting at things-to-make-and-do.co.uk things-to-make-and-do.co.uk/fabric-and-sewing/how-to-make-reversible-fabric-bunting/howto-make-reversible-fabric-bunting.html Simple double-sided pennants at thehappyhousie.porch.com thehappyhousie.porch.com/how-to-sew-a-simple-double-sided-diy-pennant-banner/
Window dressing and decoration Use our stencil templates to decorate your home or workplace windows. We recommend using wipe-clean, chalk spray paint. Use stencils, sprays and chalk markers to create something unique and bespoke for your business. Cutting and using your own stencil • Carefully cut out the black areas of your chosen design from our templates • Use a craft knife with a fresh, sharp cutting blade, and a green cutting mat • To cut, apply pressure with one finger placed firmly on the indent on the craft knife handle • Always cut towards you and away from your other hand. Keep the knife straight as much as possible. • To turn corners move the stencil and mat together rather than turning corners with the knife.
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• Children should be supervised if using this cutting method • You can use spray paint and your hand cut stencil to decorate canvasses and boards for outside use. • We recommend using nontoxic spray paints which are now available but would still advise caution when spraying • Be sure to wear a mask, work outside where possible. If you are spraying inside fully ventilate your work area • Use short sprays and a light touch to ensure even coverage and a crisp image.
Templates You can recreate this bunting flag shape onto cardboard for a sturdier method of cutting out your fabric, and make it smaller or bigger depending on the size of bunting you want to make.
Templates
Templates
Templates
Templates
Templates
Templates
Stencils
Stencils
Stencils
Stencils
Stencils
Stencils
Need more inspiration?
We have a whole range of Italian themed products for your Ferragosto.Go online at: www.thepartypeople.com.au/party-supplies/ shop-by-theme/countries/italian Or visit our store: The Party People 73-75 Victoria Road Drummoyne 02 9529 2133 www.thePartyPeople.com.au
Special Offer!
Visit our store and get: Free streamers 1 set of 3 (1 x red, 1 x white and 1 x green) No purchase required Just ask staff for “free streamers for Ferragosto please”
10% discount
Anyone who purchases Italian products, or anything red, white or green, will get a 10% discount – just say they are for Ferragosto!
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