How to Make Patriotic Upcycled Bunting Two Different Ways
Nothing makes a garden or patio look ready for a party than a bit of bunting. I always associate bunting with summer fairs and garden parties. This denim bunting I originally made a few years ago for the Queens Diamond Jubilee, we had a street party.
The upcycled denim bunting I originally made was Union Jack bunting, but as most of my blog audience is American I’ve also made a Stars and Stripes version just for you! It was quite easy to adapt my flag bunting design from Union Jack to Stars and stripes as they are both red white and blue.
So whether you celebrating the Queen’s Birthday, the latest Royal wedding or the 4th of July there is a bunting for you!
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What you need to make your denim bunting
- Old pair of jeans. I just use the legs of the jeans, (so you can save the pockets to make a fabulous denim pocket organiser.)
- Ribbon scraps, I keep all ribbon scraps from presents and packaging and have quite a collection of especially red ones from Valentine’s gifts. If you haven’t got any you can normally by a variety pack from your craft store.
- Red ribbon, various sizes and patterns.
- Off white / cream bias binding
- Navy blue bias binding
- Fabric Mod Podge
- Denim sewing machine needles
- Scissors,or rotary cutter, thread, cardboard & sewing machine.
Depending on how long you want your bunting will determine how many pairs of jeans and how much ribbon.
How to make your upcycled denim bunting
1. First, make a triangular cardboard template the size you want for your bunting. Use this template as a guide for cutting out your denim. Personally, I prefer to use a rotary cutter and board to cut my denim, but scissors are fine, just a bit slower. You will need 2 denim triangles for each piece of bunting one for the front and the other for the back.
2. Secondly lay out your ribbon, depending on what flag you’re making. You can either sew your ribbon flag design to your denim triangles or the easy option is to glue them with fabric Mod Podge. Gluing instead of sewing does make your bunting a little stiffer but this is no bad thing.
3. I have 2 graphics to show you how to make your upcycled denim bunting, one for Union Jack bunting and one for Stars and Stripes bunting. They are both practically the same except for how you arrange the red and white ribbon.
Also, you note there are stars on the American bunting. I used a die to cut out these stars from some spare white ribbon. If you don’t have a die cutter you can always use a star stamp instead.
4. After you have glued or sewn your ribbon pieces into place, get a blank triangle of denim and pin these 2 pieces right sides together. Sew round the sides leaving the top open. Trim off an excess ribbon, and turn right side out. You will need a pencil or something pointed to push out the tip of your triangle.
5. To sew your denim bunting triangles together in a long garland, fold over your blue ribbon and pin this to the top of your triangle. Make sure that you place the denim in between the ribbon fold. Then simply sew your denim bunting flags to the blue ribbon. All you need now is a party!
I first made my Union Jack denim bunting in 2012 for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee when we had a street party. I got it out again for the royal wedding in 2013. It’s been sitting in a drawer since then but will be back on display next weekend for Harry and Megan’s Wedding
If you are looking for more upcycled denim projects check out my page.
Linda at Mixed Kreations
Both of these are so cute, and I believe that they could be left hanging all year round.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you. I could leave them out but it’s kind of fun just getting it out for special occasions.
Julie
So much fun, you can keep this kind of bunting for ever and just whip it out for auspicious occasions!
Did you watch the wedding last week? I loved it, watched the whole thing in my PJ’s with tea and toast. Perfect!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you. Yes I watch the whole thing whilst having a traditional English breakfast round a friend’s and I loved every minute of it.
Ceri
So talented! With Harry’s royal wedding coming up British and American Bunting would be perfect!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you. That’s true I didn’t think of that I can put both up together for Harry and Megan’s wedding.
T'onna | Sew Crafty Crochet
Hey Claire! I’m stopping by to let you know that I featured your bunting from the Celebrate the USA Link Party!
Claire Armstrong
That’s great. Thank you so much!
Susanne
Claire, you are the queen of denim up-cycles!! These are so cute!! Thank you for sharing with us at Create and Celebrate!!
Claire Armstrong
Thanks Susanne I can’t resist a bit of recycling jeans.
Mary
Claire is it possible that I didn’t comment the first time around? I love the Queen! I was watching the Crown a few months ago and it was very good. Dr Who married to the Queen! You know I love everything you do! And this is no exception. Love those cute little stars!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you Mary, I loved the Crown can’t wait for the next season. I’m sure you could adapt it and make a Greek flag perhaps bleach the denim!
Jen
I definitely have some denim that needs a new lease on life. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Claire Armstrong
I just love finding different ways to recycle old jeans.
Leanna
These are both very well done, It awesome that you celebrate the queens 90th birthday. Cucumber sandwiches are a favorite of mine as well, but I don’t know what Pimm is. I am going to guess its an English Ale or tea?
Claire Armstrong
Thank you Leanna. Pimms is an English fruity spirit that you make into a kind of punch with lemonade and you add strawberries, cucumber and lemon and mint. It’s a very popular drink a to events like Wimbledon or any big summer party.
Amberjane
I love bunting and I would still use denim and cute ribbon even though I am in Ireland 🙂
Claire Armstrong
I’m sure you could make it look Irish somehow.
Carol ("Mimi")
This is wonderful way to re-use old denim fabric and create a patriotic tribute for July 4 curb appeal.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much, I make the Union Jack ones for royal celebrations like the Jubilee.
Cecilia
Super cute bunting! Thanks for sharing @Vintage Charm!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you
Helen at Pleasures of the NW
I love the hearts on the stripes! Thanks for sharing on the Pleasures of the NW’s DIY party!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, you can get some lovely red patterned ribbon.
Katy SkipTheBag
These are so fun and festive! Thanks for sharing on the #WasteLessWednesday blog hop!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you!
Beverly
What an adorable bunting. Love upcycling old jeans. So great for Memorial weekend and all the other holidays coming up.
Bev
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much!
Monroe
Oh my! This bunting is cute beyond words! I love it! I love upcycled denim projects, and I adore the heart ribbon you used. I’m pinning this to my Patriotic Pins board. I’m inspired and may make my own denim bunting soon! Thanks for sharing this wonderfully creative idea!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you ! You should make some, like denim it’s really robust. I’ve had the same denim bunting for years.
Beverly
Your bunting looks terrific. Thanks for the tutorial and for sharing at our Celebrate the USA Party. Pinned and Tweeted.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you ! Some great 4th July crafts on it.
Pam @Threading My Way
What a fun way to use up small pieces of denim, Claire. As always, a great tutorial.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you very much apreciate the complement.
Name*
Great job Claire, perfect weight for outdoors, love that it isn’t delicate looking like other versions! thanks for sharing on craft schooling Sunday!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you ! Yes t is very robust.
Christine at Must Love Home
Loved your bunting project..what a super recyle idea!!You have been Pinned, Tweeted and Posted to Facebook! Your post will be featured this week at the Friday Favorites Link Party. The party goes LIVE on Thursdays at 7PM at mustlovehome.com I hope to see your there! Hugs – Christine at Must Love Home
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much ! That is great news, I look forward to seeing it.
Cristina at Ava's Alphabet
What a darling idea! I would never have thought to use denim. I just love your finished product. Thank you for linking up to Family Joy Blog Link-Up Party. Have a great week!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you very much !
LydiaF
What a fun project! It really catches my imagination and I love the idea of hanging it from my balcony. Thanks for sharing with us at Creatively Crafty #ccbg. I’ll be featuring it in this week’s link up. Enjoy the week!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you very much, I look forward to seeing it !
Tuula @ Thrifty Rebel Vintage
I love all your denim projects Claire. Your bunting looks fantastic! Love that you did the 2 versions. Thanks so much for sharing at Vintage Charm.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you very much ! I just love working with denim.
Denise
Love the idea of upcycling old jeans into bunting. I would be gluing mine as I am not great at sewing. Love the American Flag version too. Thanks for linking.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you !
Michelle Leslie
Gorgeous and your tut is brilliant. Thank you!!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you that’s good to hear.
Laura
Claire , you are so talented-
I love the buntings you created.
Thank you for sharing at Thoughts of Home.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much, I’m pleased you liked them.
Laura Ingalls Gunn
What a darling bunting! I love the idea of using a star stamp. Thank you for so faithfully joining us at Thoughts of Home on Thursday. You are a treasured blogging friend.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, you are kind !
Katja
Hello, just found your blog by mistake. I adore your huge variety of beautifully selfmade things. I’ m also a fan of denim and often asked myself how to get a further use out of my family’s old jeans…now I’ve got plenty ideas.
Wish I had only a quater ( or even less) of actually put into practice self made projects in my home. Thanks for your shared inspirations 🙂
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much ! Lovely to hear that you like the stuff that I make, it’s great to know that I give people some ideas. I’m working on some more denim projects so watch this space.
Sadie Seasongoods
It looks fantastic- great job!!! Thank you so much for linking up to Talk of the Town. 🙂
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much !
Joan
I never think to use denim in my crafts. After seeing yours, I think it just might make an appearance. Very cute.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you ! I keep all my old denim to use for craft, It’s a great fabric.
Becky
Love how you pieced these together, cute! Thanks for sharing on Talk of the Town!
Claire Armstrong
Cheers and thank you.
Victoria @DazzleWhileFrazzled
Very cute! Love the use of mismatched ribbon. And your heart pins are super fun. Visiting from Handmade and Handcrafted party.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you very much !
Keri
Claire, I just love this bunting!! What an amazing repurpose!!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you very much ! It’s going to be out this weekend for the official Queen’s Birthday celebrations.
Lucy ~ Patina Paradise
Your bunting turned out great! I especially love the British flag bunting with the polka dot and gingham ribbons. Glad you were able to join us this month and how sweet for you to include the American flag in your bunting. :o)
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much. It was easy to do as we share the same colours.
Amy @ StowandTellU
These are so festive and adorable. I would hang them all year round. I love how you mixed up the design with different ribbons and such. Have fun celebrating the Queen’s 90th!!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you ! It will probably be a tradional celebration with cucumber sandwiches, Victoria sponge cake afternoon tea and perhaps a glass or 2 of Pimms.
Kim Jones
Hi, Claire
Really cute bunting! Denim was a great choice and idea! My grandmother is also British and she will be 92 this June 9th!!!!!
Claire Armstrong
THanks ! Wow older than the queen that’s impressive, only 8 more years and she’ll get her telegram.
Tammy
You bunting is adorable…love the use of the denim! Pinned
Claire Armstrong
Thank you ! I do love to use denim.