A charming way to decorate your fireplace mantel (or a window edge) is to sew a pennant or flag garland in the riotous colors of autumn.

Measure the length of the mantel (or even window sill or top) add a few inches for a graceful drape and a few more inches for each pennant spacing. This length will determine how many pennants will fit across. A paper template can be made to determine what visually pleasing size the pennant shape should be. An elongated triangle shape seems to visually work best, either 6-inches wide at the top of the pennant and 8-inches in length. A departure to the traditional triangle shape may be to choose a rectangular shape.

Choose three or four fabrics in autumn colors. A long length of fold-over binding or grosgrain ribbon folded over lengthwise can hold the dangling pennants easily. Leave enough length to secure the ends to the mantel (or window edge).

Cut two of each pennant (a rotary cutter makes fast work for cutting multiple triangles), place wrong sides together, stitch each long side edge in a 1/4-inch seam, trim if necessary, turn to right sides out and press. No need to stitch across the top as the raw edges can be encased in the coordinating color fold-over binding or grosgrain ribbon doubled over the tops of the pennants that are pinned in place across the length and stitched.

The pennants strung together (sometimes called bunting or garland) are a versatile decoration indoors or out. With a nod to the upcoming Halloween festivities, the colorful triangular pennants can be sewn using the traditional colors of orange, black, or deep purple. Intersperse the pennant wedge-shapes with non-scary, kid-friendly white ghost, or pumpkin shapes for an easy party decoration.

Besides a pleasing mantel decoration, pennants banners can even be used at a table edge to dress up a plain solid-color table cloth, are often used in ceremonial displays, announcing celebratory messages, displaying patriotic themes or for exhibiting team spirit. The colorful breezy triangles serve as happy notice of a joyful time.

DIYNetwork Two-Sided Fabric Bunting Easy instructions on how to sew pennants for bunting.

Sew happy, sew inspired.