Beautiful Bunting for Baby's Big Day
June 12, 2009 | By
Next time there’s a cause for celebration in your home—a birthday, baby shower, graduation, dedication, or any wonderful occasion—why not try decorating with beautiful handmade bunting. Bunting is not only lovely, it is reusable and can, depending on your material selections, be very earth-friendly. Spruce up your porch, hallway, deck or doorway with a strand of bunting that will become a cherished family tradition.
You can purchase handmade bunting from a number of Etsy shops. Select bunting made from stunning current designer fabrics in shops like giggleberry. Owner Amy sees herself “becoming more an dmore hooked on bunting with every set I complete!” She loves every step of the creative process, from the fabric selections—which she keeps wide and varied to assure one-of-a-kind pieces—to custom orders. In addition to celebration decorations, Amy has created many special sets of bunting: to match bedroom décor, for store fronts, and even long strands of bunting for a lovely barn wedding. “Bunting is just so versatile and fun,” Amy says, “I think they are such a cheerful way to decorate any spot!”
Any reusable decoration is earth-friendly, but for an extra environmentally sound decorating decision, you can choose bunting that is made from reclaimed, repurposed fabrics like old tablecloths, curtains, or sheets, as does Etsy shop owner Megan, of OnceAgain. “I wanted to find a way for my designs to stand out and also to do my part by recycling,” Megan says. "I never buy new fabric and in doing so I have discovered this wonderful world of vintage fabric. I try to use utilize every inch of fabric." And with all of that vintage fabric to be found in so many places, “The possibilities are virtually endless.” Also available from OnceAgain, a tutorial and kit to make your own vintage fabric bunting.
Another beautiful bunting option is stained glass. Etsy.com shop PamelaAngus creates gorgeous stained glass garland bunting in a rainbow of colors. She also adorns her creations with ribbons, beads, and flowers. Says shop owner Pam of her art: “I've always loved bunting because it's so jolly! So I liked the idea of combining the delicate beauty of glass into the rather primitive, folk art of the bunting.”
Your child can easily make his or her own no-sew bunting, too, that can be used to decorate their favorite place or even their doll's house. Simply cut a felt strip about 1 inch wide and as long as you wish. Then cut triangles from felt in your child’s favorite colors. Decorate the triangles with letters, glitter—whatever!—and then, with fabric glue, attach them to the strip.
When I was a kid I loved bunting of all kinds—I remember wanting to decorate the outside of our house with strands and strands of it! With these special buntings, now I can, and so can you. Whether it’s graduation from preschool or high school, a birthday or a shower, you make your celebration even more special with handmade bunting. A more beautiful and—by its nature—a more sustainable choice than throw-away streamers and balloons, your child’s bunting will surely become a treasured sign that it’s time to celebrate.
Top photo is from giggleberry and bottom photo is from PamelaAngus.
Jen is a mom, poet, and bag maker residing in Wooster, Ohio. See some of her bag creations at her Etsy shop, SeatOfMyPants
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