DIY Ticking Stripe American Flag
This easy tutorial will show you how to make your own DIY ticking stripe American flag. A simple patriotic flag will work beautifully in neutral colored decor or to add a vintage American feel to your home this summer. This entire project takes less than an hour to put together!
Between Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day, patriotic decor is perfect for the summer months. However, I don’t use a lot of red in my decor, so I wanted to create something that would be still be festive, yet blend with the style and colors that I use in my home year round. This simple DIY ticking stripe American flag gives me all the summer beach cottage vibes using some of my favorite patterns. The great thing about this project is that you can use any stars and stripes fabric to create decor that works in your home.
Here’s what I need from the store:
- Ticking stripe fabric – Hobby Lobby
- Star fabric – Hobby Lobby
I only bought half a yard of each fabric to create a couple of easy summer DIYS!
Here’s what I grabbed from the craft room:
- Scissors
- White embroidery thread
- Sewing needle
- Gingham ribbon – Michaels
- Piece of driftwood or wooden dowel
To start, I cut a rectangular piece of the ticking stripe fabric, about 12 inches wide by 18 inches long. Be sure the stripes run down and not across in the pattern. I cut a one inch slit into the fabric and then tore the fabric along the grain line which creates a straight line.
I tear the fabric all the way around to create frayed ends. If the ends are not frayed to your liking, you can pull a few threads out. Use the end of the scissors to separate a few strands of thread and pull away
I do the same thing with the star patterned fabric, but cut a rectangle piece about half of the size of the stripes, about 6 inches wide and 9 inches long. Lay the star fabric over the striped fabric, lining up the top left corners. Be sure the edges are aligned. You can pin in place if necessary. I just held it in place.
Next, thread your needle with white embroidery thread doubled over and tie at the end.
Place needle through the fabrics and bring it back up to the top side from the bottom side of the fabric, weaving the needle in and out of the fabric. This is a simple running stitch. Work your way around the star fabric to sew it to the front of the ticking stripe. I sewed about a 1/4 inch from the edge of the star fabric. I doubled the embroidery thread to achieve a primitive look, but you can choose what works for your style.
Tie off the back when you are done stitching.
I have several pieces of driftwood that I use in my decor. I sewed the flag on the piece of driftwood to hang, but a wooden dowel rod from the craft store or branch from the yard works too. Just wrap the thread over the wood before stitching it through the fabric.
If you like you can add ribbon by stitching it to the corner of the flag. I just tied a bow and let excess ribbon hang.
Mini American Flags
In addition, I made some mini versions, but hot glued the flags to a wooden dowel. Then, I placed them in baskets of faux flowers for a patriotic front door display and an outdoor table centerpiece.
