It was nothing short of a pleasure to be asked to make this banner for someone who has passed his exams to become a Captain with British Airways. His wife now has it all ready to hang up to celebrate his success.
Here it is … up and ready!
♦
And then it’s final hanging place.
♦
My Aunt (and Great Aunts before her), were amazing craftswomen. As a child, I loved to watch her sew. She made beautiful patchwork bedspreads – the traditional way – using cardboard templates tacked on and then removed once all sewn together – by hand!
I tried, I really did to follow in her footsteps but I was never precise enough to achieve a good result. I managed to make a rectangle for my dressing table and a runner for the top of the bookcase but, if I remember correctly, I never actually managed to complete the backing on that!!
Many years later I decided to give it another try and here is the result of my ‘patchwork’, doing what, I hope, I do best
I came up with this idea after watching a quilting clip on Pinterest showing how to sew a continuous line of fabric together. Having been inspired, I had to have a go! It was time-consuming and took many hours of work but, I have to say, that it was also rather therapeutic and watching the fabric grow, appealed to me! It also gave me a great opportunity to get to grips with my new Serger machine, producing a much tidier version than I’d previously done.
I put this 3m length together for my own use but I have more flags made up if anyone was interested in having a more random banner! Please get in touch if you do!
https://heathersbunting.wordpress.com/contact-details/
If you live in the UK, we all know that you have to be ready for all weathers, at any time of year! I have often been requested for ‘outdoor’ bunting but I’ve struggled with this until I discovered ‘Ripstop’ fabric! The colours tend to be quite vibrant, as it is mainly used for making kites and tents but I did find a couple of patterns that worked well, both together and with being made into flags. The only down side was having to make the bias binding again! This took some time and it sure was a ‘slippery’ customer!!
Thank you to my neighbour for supplying the pictures for me!
♦
I always love the individuality of ever order that I receive. That’s why I work the way I do!
This customer wanted fabric with VW camper vans on for their children’s bedroom. I thought I was going to have a problem finding anything suitable but I was amazed at the variety of fabric out there! Apparently it is rather popular. A bit more tricky, due to the pattern needing to be one way up – placing VW’s upside down wouldn’t really work now would it? – but the result was just what my customer was looking for and that’s all I can ask for.
And it’s up!! Not in its final ‘resting place’ but this is great for now!! Another picture will follow, hopefully, in the future.
And that is exactly what somebody did!
And here it is!! All ready for the birthday girl!!
♦
I was really pleased to receive this order for more VW bunting, as it was the first one that came following a Google search by my customer. All ready for van in the summer!
A friendly group that meet every other week in Reigate.
“Our aim is to provide friendship, activities and opportunities to our members through a varied programme of monthly meetings. Knit and natter, lunch and walking groups, cinema club, book club and garden visits are some of the many activities we offer on a regular basis.”
I loved making this banner as it was for such a great organisation! The brief was precise about the colours but that is always a challenge that I enjoy!
The following pictures show my ‘project’ for the summer of 2014. I was commissioned to make 100m for a community fair. Yes! You did read that right, 100m!!
So, we went through the process from this ….
… to this
… to the great day!!
In fact, these pictures show the second time it was out and being used!
This is what I enjoy most about making bunting to order.
You never know what the next customer is going to ask for!
This time it was to make a long length in the beautiful, rich colours of Africa.
I already had fabric with gazelles on and found some with a map of Africa (perfect!) but sadly the flag wasn’t big enough to accommodate the whole ‘country’! My customer had material from her bridesmaids ‘evening’ dresses so I was able to add a personal touch for her as well .
The sun also shone across the conservatory ‘playroom’ the day that these pictures were taken, giving a true flavour of the African plains in suburban Surrey!
And with the sun ‘turned down a bit’ the beautiful oranges, greens and gold can be seen and appreciated more clearly.
The latest ‘birthday’ addition and this time it was for someones 50th party. Sometimes I am given ‘free range’ on colours but for this one it was clear and straight forward – black and white with silver letters! My biggest achievement on this banner was that I actually made my own bias binding. 3 1/2 hours later I had 12 m’s of black bias but I will never again complain about paying ???? for it!!! Anyway, it was all worth it and I love working on and then seeing the finished results of my customers ideas!
I made the ‘Happy Birthday’ banner for someone who had three upcoming birthdays to celebrate in just a few short weeks. As you can see below, an 80th one for her Mum and then a joint party for her daughter and her friend. I am sure that it will be brought out for many other birthdays as well.
I was also delighted to have been able to lend them all the bunting that I made for our 25th Wedding Anniversary. My friend told me how it had made the hall look extra special.
and then …
… Sweet 16!
Identical banners for really good friends, and now that the party is over, the girls have been able to hang their banners on their bedroom walls, as a happy reminder of their 16th party.
Someone found me on Twitter!! I was so excited to receive this order and after much searching for the right colour fabric, my customer found that she had just what she was looking for all along! This is purely an online business, “So why do you need bunting?” I hear you ask. Well, just like the business below, many ‘on-liners’ will run craft stalls at various times of the year and that’s where I can help!!
Here is the link to their web site. http://www.christiangiftshop.co.uk/
And here they are all set up, bunting in place, ready for their customers!
♦
I have some friends who asked me to make this banner for them, as they were also attending craft markets to promote their business. Due to the their table size, these flags had to be smaller than usual but still big enough to be able to take the letters!!
To quote their website: “Gentle Baby Things is a family run online business, selling scrummy ethical clothing, gifts and toys for babies and toddlers.”
Visit them at: www.gentlebabythings.co.uk
I made this bunting for our trailer tent last year to fit in with the colour scheme. It just goes to show that bunting can go with you anywhere! Even on holiday!! It certainly made me feel at home.
Bunting is SO versatile and can be used again and again in different settings. Below you can see where I have used ‘Our Silver Wedding Anniversary’ bunting to decorate the hall for a school play that was set in the Wild West!
A game for you – ‘Spot the Bunting’ !!
Answer: 
So, if any schools out there are looking for a play to produce at any time of the year, please can I be bold enough to mention Lucky Bucket Musicals, they can also be found on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lucky-Bucket-Musicals/7829340347?sk=info
The lyrics and the music are outstanding and are written by a husband and wife team. They come highly recommended!
This is just one of a wide selection of shows that they have written.
♦
P.S. Just to show that my bunting has gone up at other parties as well!!
heathersbunting 
