It doesn’t seem that long ago that we were all planning our Platinum Jubilee celebrations but as we emerge from the depths of a long winter, there is nothing like a Coronation party to plan for and especially one that takes place on a Bank Holiday weekend.
Due to our late Queen’s long reign, the last time there was a coronation in the UK was almost 70 years ago and what we know already is that King Charles’ Coronation will be quite a different affair. There will be less pomp reflecting the desire for a less lavish event, while preserving the traditions and pageantry which make our Royal events so unique.
King Charles was also keen to bring communities and neighbours together with “The Coronation Big Lunch” on Sunday 7th May. This is a chance to go all out with your coronation party planning and ensure it is a day remember.
When is the King Charles III’s coronation?
The official Royal Website announced the date of Saturday May 6th as early as last October although details of the weekend were only released towards the end of January. These details cover all events from Saturday 6th – Monday 8th May and include the ceremony itself, the celebrations and community events.
What are the Coronation events taking place?
Saturday May 6th – the Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort at Westminster Abbey
Sunday May 7th – a special Coronation concert broadcast live from Windsor Castle and The Coronation Big Lunch where communities can celebrate together
Monday May 8th – The Big Help Out where people are encouraged to volunteer with local community initiatives.
The Palace has now launched the official Coronation Website and there is a handy toolkit for you to download the official emblem which is a beautiful tribute to King Charles's love of the natural world, depicting the flora of the four nations of the United Kingdom in the shape of St Edward’s Crown.
Planning your Coronation Big Lunch Party
Mark the date in your diary, invite friends, family and neighbours and start planning your Coronation Big Lunch Party. Organise the food and drinks and ask people to bring a patriotic dish – Coronation Chicken of course, Victoria Sandwich Cake and cucumber sandwiches. The Coronation website also features new recipes for Coronation Roast Rack of Lamb, Coronation Aubergine and Strawberry and Ginger Trifle from chefs, Ken Hom, Nadiya Hussein and Adam Handling.
Coronation Party Decorations
Once the food and drink menu is sorted, it’s time to plan your Coronation party decorations and there’s nothing more satisfying than making your own. If you pick the right fabrics, you will be able to use them again at any British themed summer garden party and we love the idea of substituting wasteful disposable decorations for homemade Coronation decorations you can hand down to the next generation …..for Prince William’s Coronation of course.
And let's not forget, even if you aren’t hosting a party or going to an event, then you can still make lots of decorations so both you and your house look the part.
Union Jack bunting
Any good street party starts with bunting and House and Garden suggest a bunting making party in advance of the weekend to make sure there is plenty to hang. We have fabulous bunting fabrics including our traditional Union jack bunting panel to make life easy for you.
Our London themed fabrics also work really well as Bunting. Yet another great thing about bunting is, you can use some of the bits of cotton you have in your stash, which are too big to throw away but can’t be used for anything else. For example it's great to mix in some red, white and blue polka dots, stripes or ginghams with the more obvious Coronation prints. This will also mean you have plenty to cover your whole home with.
London Town bunting and Union Jack and phone box Bunting
Coronation Flags
To switch up your Coronation bunting you can either make fabric flags to wave, or have square flag bunting in red, white and blue if the traditional triangular bunting isn’t your thing. Flags on sticks can also be great for table decorations to mix in with flowers, or to have instead of flowers in a jar. Find out how to make Patchwork Flag Bunting.
Table decorations
The next most important party decorations are those that bring the Coronation lunch tables to life. We are thinking napkins, coasters and table runners in a mix of our Coronation fabrics. The ideal fabrics for table runners are light cottons like poplins, these can be washed easily so that you can use them many times. The same is true for napkins - cotton poplin is the perfect fabric or you could even use fat quarters, and they can add a pop of colour to any table if you don’t get around to making a new table runner in time.
Red and Blue Cotton Poplins and London themed fabrics
Crowns to wear
For children, wearing their very own crown will make them feel part of the Coronation party and you could even get them to help you make it. Or why not take inspiration from House and Garden, and have a crown making party a few weeks before for all the children in your family, (one member of Team FG did this for a Hen Do and it went down a storm). Crowns can be made from any woven fabrics like cotton or even linen but it’s all about the decoration - we are talking Pom Pom Trim and Ric-Rac.
Crafty Sewing Sew How to Make a Fabric Crown
Bakewell Hearts and Cath Kidston London Guards
Dressing the Part
With Coronation fever taking hold, you may want to dress the part, but let’s step away from Union Jack dresses and shirts. Let’s make something you could wear over and over again afterwards. We were thinking maybe a little red gingham dress or maybe a skirt. How about a seersucker shirt which can be worn all summer long? The key to looking the part is wearing the colours of the day: red, white and blue, but you can mix up the patterns if gingham isn’t your thing. What about polka dot, stripes or even a star print? These would also look great with denim and are perfect for casual party wear.
Red Gingham Dressmaking and Red, White and Blue Seersucker Fabric
Commemorative cushion
This Crown Block Cushion Pattern was actually designed by Paula Hope in Fabrics Galore fabrics for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee but would work just as well for a Commemorative Coronation cushion.
Gathered's Crown Block Cushion Pattern
More Ideas to Celebrate the King’s Coronation:
-
Aprons in the home furnishing Coronation fabrics
These would be great gifts if you are going to a party, rather than hosting one. Simple to make in one of our heavy cotton Coronation fabrics, and will be a lovely reminder of the weekend.
-
Tote bags
A tote bag is always a great gift, but if you are hosting the party how about doing smaller ones to have as party bags rather than the little plastic ones? Could be made from a simple cloth and again mixed up with party trimmings like pom pom, ribbon and ric-rac.
Coronation Fabrics for Crafting
Plan your Coronation Party Decorations in Good Time
Now we don’t want people to panic, but the eager beavers are buying their Coronation fabrics already and we don’t want anyone to miss out. So, this is definitely one time we will say don’t leave your fabric purchases to the last minute – our delivery is fast, but we know we will sell out of our fun range of Coronation themed fabrics before the big weekend. If you’re not sure how much you will need, you can email us at howdy@fabricsgalore.co.uk Oh, and don’t forget to share your makes on social and tag us @fabricsgalorelondon
