"" sewing tutorial | KIDS | crafts | handmade gifts | bread bags | fort kits | diy hang tags | saltwater-kids

5.16.2010

flag tutorial



The 4th of July has always been one of my favorite holidays.  Full of family, friends, food, fun, fireworks, and of course FLAGS!  So, in anticipation for this years celebration, I am sharing a tutorial for a fun and festive flag garland!

/

Materials:
  • denim (old jeans work great!)
  • red ticking fabric
  • twine ($1 at Home Depot)
  • white embroidery floss
  • embroidery needle
  • mesh lingerie bags (pack of 2 at the dollar store)
  • hot glue gun (optional)








Cut:

  • denim into 1.5" X 1" rectangles
  • ticking into 3" X 2" rectangles


To achieve the soft fringe around the edges, place your pieces into mesh lingerie bags, run them under water until they are soaking wet, ring out the excess water, and then toss them in the dryer.  It is important to dry the bags separately in case the denim bleeds (I learned this the hard way).  Check the bags occasionally to make sure the pieces are not all clumped together.  Remove when dry.









To get the fringe just right, pull off the loose strings.



Grab you embroidery floss, and cut a piece that is about 24" long.  Peel two strands out of the cluster.  Thread the embroidery needle, and tie a knot at the end.

  (click the picture to view larger image)
Start from the back and poke the needle through the top center of the denim. Follow steps 1-6 to create the star.  When finished, make a knot on the back of the flag, and cut your thread. 

Flag tut 18
 

Iron out all the creases - they can be stubborn sometimes, and I usually find myself dousing them with the spray bottle to achieve the desired flatness.






Once you have a stack of flags ready, it is time to attach them to the twine.
(click the picture to view larger image)

Tie a loop at the end of the twine.  Lay the flags out in a line to determine the length of twine needed. I spaced the flags about 2" apart.  Before cutting the twine, be sure to leave enough extra to tie a loop at the other end.

Then, using two more strands of embroidery floss, thread the needle, tie a knot.   Sew loops AROUND the twine, catching the ticking in each stitch.  Be careful not to sew through the twine, that way you can adjust the flag placement later, if needed.

Alternative: use a hot glue gun to attach the top edge of the flag to the twin.  Be sure to place them exactly where you want them, because there is no adjusting after the glue is dry!
Repeat with the rest of the flags, and you are done!
Let 'em fly!





variation: rusted wire instead of twine, and french knots to crate the circles.

26 comments:

  1. Oh how clever! Would have been fun to do something like this for Canadian flag during the Olympics for us :).

    ReplyDelete
  2. Flags are always festive, aren't they? I think this idea would dress up my 4th of July festivities perfectly. I admit, I might be lazy and cheat and do a puff paint star and not take the time to do your wonderfully embroidered star. Thanks for the tutorial! Terrific idea!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Puff paint would make this project even easier - especially if you plan to make a lot of flags. Great idea!

    ReplyDelete
  4. That's beautiful! Simple yet very patriotic.
    Someone listed this in Craft Gossip as a bunting. I think they meant banner. OH Well-I still looked, and enjoyed. I have it bookmarked for later

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am sorry I didn't see this before Memorial Day, but luckily there is more than enough time before Fourth of July.
    I am going to feature this on my site tomorrow.

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is so cute! My sister has a huge Fourth of July party every year, these would be a great gift for her!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Cute, simple, love em! Thanks for sharing ... I've posted a link.

    ReplyDelete
  8. ok i love this... similar to my pennant tutorial on one pretty thing. i am totally making these!!! we share a love of denim and ticking (-:

    ReplyDelete
  9. Malia, that is so funny that we both used denim and ticking! Great to meet a fellow Washingtonian blogger.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thank you! I would love to see your Fab Finds for the Fourth, I just love the red, white, and blue!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Also going to relink you on mine so cute ! Thank yo so much for sharing it with us.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I followed your tutorial! My flags are here: http://blog.geekxnerd.com/2010/06/preparing.html I'm going to make an extra set for my sister too. Thanks again for posting!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I am absolutely in love with these. I am so going to make these! We have NO Fourth of July decorations.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love this idea! SO CUTE! I featured you on my blog too! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love this! Cute idea! I featured you on my blog too! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  16. To make your flags last longer, I would make the flag wider the long way, and fold over the end to make a pocket where the twine runs through.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Phyllis, That sounds like a great idea! If you make a garland, I would love to see it.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Wow! What a fabulous idea:) I'm loving this! Thanks so much for this great tutorial. I can't wait to make it!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thanks Cami. I would love to see it when you are done!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Thanks! I posted your link on my blog today.

    ReplyDelete
  21. How about using a clorox bleach pen to draw the star in the denim, before washing them! They would look great tea dyed too.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I featured this today...it is darling! I'm a little obsessed with red ticking, so I loved it as soon as I saw it!

    xo
    kierste

    ReplyDelete
  23. Stopping over from your feature at BrownPaperPackages to say how cute this bunting is and pin it!

    ~Bliss~

    ReplyDelete