Nine Patch Bunting Tutorial

There’s nothing so happy as a little string of bunting. It’s my favorite sort of party decoration, and it makes a sweet addition to any space -- especially a sewing room. With Easter coming in a week and all of us stuck inside, I thought it was just the right time for this Nine Patch Bunting Tutorial to give us something pretty to decorate our indoor spaces. The pattern will give you a short length of bunting as written (a little less than a yard), but double or triple the materials to make your string of patchwork happiness as long as you like!

This is a wonderful project for fussy cutting, especially for the tiny little details in a print that can be overlooked. I chose to pair light and dark shades of the same color in my 5 nine patch blocks, but you could also match up low volume and colored prints. Linen makes a sturdy backing and string, but you can also substitute different prints for the backing squares to make your bunting reversible. If you want to make the project even simpler, just use 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" squares for both sides of each flag on the bunting strips.

This is a great pattern to make with kids if you're looking for something to add to your homeschool activities this week. It also makes a sweet party or holiday decoration. Try making a different string for each month of the year to hang somewhere special in your house. It's a fun way to celebrate a new month and bring a little extra handmade love to your home.

Nine Patch Bunting Tutorial 
Finished Size: 29 1/2" x 3 3/8"

From a 5’’ square each of 10 Prints in 5 color pairings (light blue/dark blue, pink/red, light green/dark green, pale yellow/gold, lavender/purple), cut:

(5) 1 1/2’’ x 1 1/2’’ squares from the dark prints for nine patch blocks (A)

(4) 1 1/2’’ x 1 1/2’’ squares from the light prints for nine patch blocks (B)

From 1/4 yard Natural Linen, cut:

(5) 3 1/2’’ x 3 1/2’’ squares for block backings (C)

(1) 30’’ x 1 1/2’’ strip for hanging string (D)

Additional Supplies: matching thread, embroidery floss (optional), binding clips, chopstick

1. Sort the A and B squares into five groups, one for each block. Arrange the squares as shown. Sew the squares into rows, pressing toward the darker fabric, and then sew the rows together, pressing the seams open.

2. If desired, use embroidery floss to sew a cross stitch at the 4 corners of the center square on each block.

3. Place a nine patch block right sides together with a C square. Sew around the sides and lower edge, leaving the top open. Turn the piece right side out, gently pushing out the corners with a chopstick, and press. Topstitch 1/8’’ from the edge around the sides and lower edge. Repeat with the remaining 4 blocks.

4. Fold the short edges of the D strip toward the wrong side of the fabric about 1/4" and press. Next, fold the strip in half lengthwise and press. Unfold and then fold the long edges to meet at the centerfold line, press, and then fold along the center fold again with the long raw edges sandwiched in the middle.

5. Slip the upper edges of the 5 nine patch blocks inside the folded D strip as shown, starting with the center block in the middle of the D strip, and then spacing the remaining blocks 1’’ apart from the others as you go. Hold the blocks in place with binding clips.

6. Sew just inside the edge of the fold closest to the blocks on the D strip, stitching the blocks in place and sealing the folded edges together. Backstitch at the start and finish to secure everything in place.

If you make one of these, be sure to share your photos with the hashtag #ninepatchbunting and tag me @fabricmutt. I hope this will bring some happiness to your homes this week!