Circular Dorking Projects
Tracey’s Community Bunt-a-Thon
Wondering what our Community Bunt-a-Thon is and want to join in?
Latest BUNT-A-THON! News
FREE Bunt-a-thon Sewing Days
Sunday 11th October
- Morning Slot – 10.00am – 1.00pm
- Afternoon Slot – 2.00pm – 5.00pm
Friday 30th October
- Morning Slot – 10.00am – 1.00pm
- Afternoon Slot – 2.00pm – 5.00pm
Everyone is welcome to come along and help us turn our pre-made bunting flags into something truly fabulous! Please note that this is a sewing day rather than a sewing lesson, so you will need to be comfortable using a sewing machine and sewing independently.
I have nine sewing machines available in the studio, but as we’re hoping to get as many people involved as possible, it would be fantastic if you could bring along your own machine if you have one. We’ll spread ourselves out between the sewing rooms at the back of the shop and, if necessary, around the big table in the shop.
It’s going to be a lovely, sociable day of sewing, chatting and creating something wonderful together — I do hope you’ll come along and join in the fun!
Best of all, it’s completely FREE! You will, however, need to book your place so that we know how many helpers we have joining us.
Spaces are limited, so please book your place in advance.
Welcome! Here’s the important bits…
So what is a Bunt-a-Thon?
Well we made up the name but thought it sounded rather fun and jolly!
Our Goal…
is to create a supply of sustainable, reusable and unique bunting for our town and townspeople to use for events!
The ambition is to create 1.5km of bunting. How far we get this will be registered on our bunt-o-meter which will be on show in Tracey’s Sewing Room in North Street.
The intent is that the bunting flags will be made to the same size which will be sewn into strings of 10m long. If you or your group make 36 flags you’ll have enough to create one full 10 metre string – just let us know when you drop them in to the shop if you’d like your flags kept together!
The final strings will be stored at the Dorking Library of Things at Dorking Library from where any community organisation can borrow as much as they need. This will mean the Dorking Community with have a free supply of non-plastic, washable fabric bunting for use at event.
Hello Dorking will also hold a supply for use by our small independent businesses for town event.
The mission is to make enough in the first instance for the Dorking Christmas Season with then a push for Spring and Summer bunting. It’s an ambitious aim but we know what our great Dorking Community Can achieve.
So why not join,us?
The Bunt-a-Thon is open call to anyone who wants to sew some flags! Whether you are an individual who has never sew before but wants to give it a go, an enthusiastic crafter who loves a challenge or one of our amazing community group’s we hope you will enter in the spirit of the Bunt-a-thon.
How will this work?
You or your community group can make as little or as much as you like.
What to use:
Our goal is sustainability so don’t buy new fabric for this! Use your remnants or cut up old clothes or curtains – as long as it’s clean it can add to our unique collection! NB: fabric that doesn’t stretch will be easiest to sew!
I never tried making Bunting before!
If you don’t know how to sew bunting flags, we have you covered with our How To video or option to sew in Tracey’s Sewing Room or at our Social Sewing events!
When & Where:
September to November in Dorking Surrey.
How:
We want to keep the flags all the same size. So grab a pattern from the shop in North Street – or some pre cut flags if that is easier for you – watch our How to Video if you need to and start sewing. Bring your flags into the shop to add to our collection and watch the strings of bunting grow!
Once we have enough flags: our team will stitch the flags into strings of bunting and then they’ll be hung up in time for Dorking’s Christmas Fair on November 29th! You’ll see your handiwork decorating the town! After Christmas some of the bunting will be added to Dorking’s Library of Things so local people can borrow the bunting for their own events.
Keep up with the Bunt-a-Thon subscribe to Tracey’s newsletter via the website.
Bunt-a-Thon supporters
The project is a concept created by Monica, Circular Dorking and fellow Circular Dorking member, Tracey from Tracey’s Sewing Room with Hello Dorking collaborating on the project. Dorking Business Breakfast Group has also kindly donated towards materials. We hope to add other supporters to our collaboration so please join us!
