Dress up your summer picnics with this pretty table bunting

By Sarah hatheway

July 13, 2015

By Sarah hatheway

July 13, 2015

Picnic: is any word more quintessentially summery? When the weather gets warm, there’s nothing better than having a delicious meal outdoors with friends. But just because you’re outside doesn’t mean you can’t get a little fancy. This week’s craft helps you add some extra sparkle to your next al fresco party, thanks to some classic bunting just perfect for decorating a picnic table. You can style your bunting as a rectangle, and wrap it around the edge of your picnic table, or add some flounces to make a classic scallop shape. Either way will look fabulous!

I wanted to get a snap of this fun decoration in action at a picnic of my own, but the typically feisty Chicago weather wouldn’t cooperate. It’ll just have to wait until my next get-together!

Materials:

36-inch by 44-inch fabric
Thread in a corresponding color to the fabric
Basic sewing needle
Sewing machine
Measuring tape
Scissors
Straight pins
Iron and ironing board

Craft away:

Iron the fabric. Cut it in half lengthwise, short end to short end. You should now have two long pieces of fabric.
Pin the two pieces of fabric together on one side with short ends touching and right sides facing. Sew the fabric together using the sewing machine, keeping your stitches 1/2-inch from the edge of the fabric. You should now have one long rectangle of fabric.
Fold the edges of the fabric in 1/2-inch, all the way around the rectangle. Iron and pin the folds to set them in shape. Sew the folds in place with the sewing machine.

If you want to make a rectangular table skirt, you’re finished! Simply pin or tape the long edges of the fabric to the edge of your table to create a pretty accent piece.
If you want to make a scalloped decoration, just follow these few extra steps. Cut a few feet of thread and fold it in half, then thread the needle and tie a knot.
About 18-inches in from one end of the fabric, gather the fabric together in a loose accordion fold. Stitch the fold in place with the needle and thread.