How to Make Festive Upcycled Denim Bunting
Nothing makes a garden or patio look more ready for a party than bunting. I always associate bunting with summer fairs and garden parties.
I originally made this denim bunting a few years ago for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. We had a street party.
How to Make Patriotic Upcycled Bunting Two Different Ways
The upcycled denim bunting I originally made was Union Jack bunting, but as most of my blog audience is American, I've also made a Stars and Stripes version just for you!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 easy to adapt my flag bunting design from Union Jack to Stars and Stripes, as they are red, white, and blue.
So whether you're celebrating the Queen's Birthday, the latest Royal wedding, or the 4th of July, there is a bunting for you!
The bunting features in the A to Z of denim crafts.
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What you need to make your denim bunting
- Old pair of jeans. I 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, especially red ones from Valentine's gifts. If you haven't got any, you can normally buy 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
Step 1: 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.
Step 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, glue them with fabric Mod Podge. Glueing instead of sewing does make your bunting a little stiffer, but this is no bad thing.
Step 3. I have two 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 practically the same, except for how you arrange the red and white ribbon.
You also note there are stars on the American bunting. I used a die to cut out these stars from some spare white ribbon. You can use a star stamp instead if you don't have a die cutter.
Step 4. After you have glued or sewn your ribbon pieces into place, get a blank triangle of denim and pin these two pieces right sides together. Sew around the sides, leaving the top open. Trim off any excess ribbon and turn right side out. You will need a pencil or something pointed to push out the tip of your triangle.
Step 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. Tfolds 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 for the next Jubilee.
I've always thought that repurposed tea towels would make great bunting.
If you are looking for more upcycled denim projects check out my page.
Gorgeous and your tut is brilliant. Thank you!!
Thank you that's good to hear.
Claire , you are so talented-
I love the buntings you created.
Thank you for sharing at Thoughts of Home.
Thank you so much, I'm pleased you liked them.
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.
Thank you, you are kind !
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 🙂
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.
It looks fantastic- great job!!! Thank you so much for linking up to Talk of the Town. 🙂
Thank you so much !
I never think to use denim in my crafts. After seeing yours, I think it just might make an appearance. Very cute.
Thank you ! I keep all my old denim to use for craft, It's a great fabric.
Love how you pieced these together, cute! Thanks for sharing on Talk of the Town!
Cheers and thank you.
Very cute! Love the use of mismatched ribbon. And your heart pins are super fun. Visiting from Handmade and Handcrafted party.
Thank you very much !
Claire, I just love this bunting!! What an amazing repurpose!!
Thank you very much ! It's going to be out this weekend for the official Queen's Birthday celebrations.
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)
Thank you so much. It was easy to do as we share the same colours.
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!!
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.
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!!!!!
THanks ! Wow older than the queen that's impressive, only 8 more years and she'll get her telegram.
You bunting is adorable...love the use of the denim! Pinned
Thank you ! I do love to use denim.