Vintage American Flag DIY

After last weeks post on DIY Fourth of July ideas, I was totally inspired to make something of my own.  That led me on a search through my fabric stash and I decided on a small American flag project.

I had blue and white ticking stripe fabric left over from the armoire makeover that I liked for this project.  There was also a fabric sample of bolder striped blue fabric in the basket, so I used that as well.  I couldn’t find anything red but I remembered I had some never-used cloth napkins that were a fit for this idea.

Get creative with the fabric you have around the house, maybe you have old Fourth of July t-shirts that have since been outgrown. I will sometimes save outgrown clothes if I like the pattern or fabric.  I think it’s part of being a DIY’er, you tend to save everything because chances are you will find a use for it another day!

What you will need*:

Fabrics in Red, White, and Blue (I used this ticking stripe fabric)

12″ Wooden Dowels

Hot Glue Gun

Pencils and Erasers

Gold Paint (I used this one)

First, I cut my fabrics into 8″X 6″ pieces (approximately).  I cut out five of them to start.   Next, I placed them upside down onto a piece of wax paper.  I used the wax paper to protect the table from the hot glue.  Line the wooden dowel up with the edge of your fabric as shown and glue into place.

I sort of wrapped my fabric around the dowel to cover it completely but l left a little bit of the wood exposed at the top.

 

After I had all five glued, I set them aside.  I needed a finial for the top.

A pencil eraser looked to be about the right shape and size, it just needed to be painted.

I dipped each of them into my gold paint until they were covered.

 

Once they were no longer dripping, I placed them standing up in a cup to dry overnight.  The next day when I was sure they were completely set, I pulled them off the pencils and placed one on each flag.

This is really such a simple idea, but they’re so darn cute. I was going to trim the frayed edges, but I liked how that added to the vintage feel of my American flag project so I left them as is.

I tried them out in several containers for display, this small vase was a perfect fit.  It was purchased from Pier 1, but I don’t believe it’s available anymore.

If you want to make a larger project for the fourth this year, check out my DIY Wooden Flag from awhile back.  I still keep this in my garden.  Have a happy and safe fourth!

 

 

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