One seam bunting is one of the easiest and most satisfying sewing projects you can make. It is quick, beginner friendly, and brilliant for using up fabric scraps. Whether you want decorations for a birthday, baby shower, garden party or craft stall, this simple method gives you neat flags with minimal sewing.
If you prefer a ready-made set with templates for the flags and a complete alphabet and numbers, you can download my printable guide here: One Seam Bunting Pattern
What Is One Seam Bunting
One seam bunting is a simple method where each flag is cut on the fold and sewn down a single line. This means no fiddly edges, no turning gaps and no complicated construction. You get crisp, symmetrical flags with very little effort. It is a perfect first project for beginners and a great scrap buster for more confident sewists.
Materials You Need
Fabric
Cotton or cotton-blend fabrics work best. Scraps, offcuts and fat quarters are ideal.
Bunting tape
One inch bunting tape or one inch cotton twill tape.
Optional
Felt for appliqué letters, fabric glue, tracing paper or freezer paper.
If you want a ready-to-print set of templates to save time, you can use the One Seam Bunting Pattern which includes the full alphabet and numbers.
Step-by-Step Overview of the One Seam Method
Cut your flag
Fold your fabric with right sides together. Place the flag template on the fold and cut around it.
Sew the seam
Stitch down the long open edge opposite the fold. This creates a clean, sharp triangle.
Trim and press
Trim the point carefully without cutting the stitches. Press the seam open for a tidy finish.
Turn right side out
Use a turning tool or something similar to shape the point neatly. Line up the seam in the centre.
Prepare the bunting tape
Fold your bunting tape in half and press so you have a crisp crease down the middle.
Attach the flags
Slip the top edge of each flag inside the folded bunting tape. Clip or pin and sew close to the edge. Keep adding flags, either touching or spaced evenly. Leave a small length of tape at each end so you can tie it up easily.
Adding Letters and Personalising Your Bunting
Personalised bunting is incredibly popular for children’s rooms, birthdays, seasonal displays and special events. The simplest way to create neat letters is to trace the template, pin the paper to felt and cut through both layers for accuracy. The letters can be glued or hand stitched to each flag.
The printable One Seam Bunting Pattern makes this part easy because it includes a complete set of appliqué letter templates A to Z and number templates 0 to 9, ready to trace and cut. You can find it here: One Seam Bunting Pattern
Why This Project Works So Well for Beginners
• Only one seam per flag
• No complicated construction
• Uses small pieces of fabric
• Quick to sew, even in batches
• Easy to personalise
• Great for home décor or events
• Ideal for selling at craft fairs
It is one of the fastest ways to build confidence at the sewing machine while making something fun and practical.
Common Questions About Making Bunting
How many flags do I need
It depends on the length you want, but shorter lengths are often easier to hang. If you want a longer run, you can simply tie two sections together.
Can I hand sew the flags
Yes. It will take longer but it is perfectly possible.
Can I mix different fabrics
Absolutely. Scrappy, colourful bunting looks lovely and is perfect for using leftover pieces.
Download the Printable Pattern
If you want to save time and start sewing straight away, the One Seam Bunting Pattern includes:
• Full-size flag template
• Complete alphabet templates
• Number templates
• Step-by-step beginner guide
You can download it here: One Seam Bunting Pattern
Christmas Sewing Pattern Bundle
If you enjoy quick, satisfying sewing projects like this one, you might also like my Christmas Sewing Pattern Bundle. It includes four festive tutorials in one easy download, covering ornaments, gift bags and bunting templates. It’s perfect for anyone who loves seasonal makes, and it offers a saving of almost 40% compared to buying the patterns individually.