Bunting and Wellbeing

Greenbushes Acoustic is a champion for bunting.

Bunting is a line of fabric triangles of same or different sizes, sewn together on a ribbon or string of fabric. Our bunting has triangles of many sizes and angles, reflecting the diversity of our community.

We use bunting to decorate the venue where we meet. We love to cheer up in a room decorated with brightly coloured bunting. Hanging up the bunting is a ritual where everybody can help and create the welcoming space for the gathering. The bunting tells everybody where we are. 

Bunting breaks down barriers and it looks pretty. New participants find it easy to locate the group.  Bunting also gives people an opportunity to contribute in a very individual lasting way. 

To make bunting, people use fabric they already have, or get some from the opp-shop. Some people made bunting from fabric that holds special memories, such as a shirt of a deceased loved one or a bed spread of a child who is now an adult.

There is no right or wrong with bunting, any fabric will do. Even shower curtains have been used in our bunting. We recently started to incorporate doilies and lace. When you use fabric that is colourful on both sides, the bunting will shine from all directions. 

This pic shows our bunting inside the shed, our Historic Football Club at the RV Park in Greenbushes. It makes the old hall look a lot younger!

Our tree 'Isabella' with bunting

Our usual gatherings are at Thomson Park under a big tree that has recently been named ‘Isabella’, here with bush poet Bill Gordon.

First step in setting up the meeting is to decorate Isabella with bunting. We also hang it up along the fence to show a community group is meeting where people of all background are welcome, and contributions are encouraged and supported. We love bunting!

Bunting is an opportunity to turn your colourful scrap fabric into a community resource. Required sewing skills are minimal. While you can sew bunting by hand, we recommend the use of a sewing machine.

We offer our bunting to other community groups in town. We take it to picnics and external events where we participate as a group.

How to make bunting

  • Make a template out of cardboard (eg. cereal box) if you like to use the same size and angles.
  • Mark the fabric with the triangle.
  • Use pinking shears to cut out triangle of any shape or same shape. This prevents fraying.
  • Sew the triangles onto a ribbon or skinny, long piece of fabric, either close to each other or leave a gap between triangles.
  • Leave about 50cm at each end of the line for easy tying.