Looking for easy ways to create patriotic decorations for Independence Day or Memorial Day?  Here’s an easy DIY how to make patriotic flags for the fourth.

Making cloth flags is a great idea to showcase your patriotic spirit and add a festive touch to your home decor. 

In this step-by-step craft post, we’ll guide you through creating your own flag with red and white fabrics, using affordable materials and various techniques. Whether you’re celebrating July 4th, Labor Day, Veterans Day, or any patriotic holiday, this homemade flag will be a great addition to your holiday celebrations.

Supplies List:

• Red and white cotton fabric (can be purchased at Hobby Lobby) 
• Blue Fabric (repurpose old clothes)  for example I’m using old blue jeans
• White paint
• Paper plate
• Paper towel or rag
• Paintbrush 
• Scissors 
• Hot glue gun or fabric glue 
• Carpenter Square
• Wooden dowel or stick
• Blue Mason jars (optional)

Making Patriotic Flags

Step 1:  Gather All Your Supplies

Use red and white stripe fabric for the flag itself. I’m using a red and white stripe fabric bag from a product I received.

If you have old red and white dishtowels, red and white clothing items, old placemats, or white pillowcases, consider repurposing them for your patriotic flag project. This is a sustainable and budget-friendly option that adds no additional cost. 

Tip:  If you want to create an aged look for your flag, you can use primitive American flags as a reference. Add a tea stain to the fabric to give it an antique appearance.  I have used tea stains for other projects.  I share in-depth easy details on how to apply tea stain to fabrics.  I share this technique for tea-staining pillow covers too!

Step 2: Measure And Cut The Fabric 

Measure and cut your fabric 9″x6″ to create the flags.   Add Aleene’s Fabric Fusion to the edges of the fabric flags, and let dry completely. After drying, carefully remove any extra fibers with scissors.  Also, hot glue will work however the edges of the red and white cloth flags may continue to fray.

Step 3:  Adding Blue Fabrics 

Next step, cut old blue jeans into six rectangular pieces 3×3.  I’m making three flags, so cut six pieces this makes both sides of old glory pretty from two sides. To make sure the blue fabric is straight and square for the flags it’s a great idea to use a carpenter square.

Tip:  This is where blue paint will work too.  Again, make sure to use the carpenter square and painter’s tape.

*As an Amazon Associate, Black Dog Salvage Furniture Paint and other Affiliate programs I earn from qualifying purchases*

As an Amazon Associate and other Black Dog Salvage Furniture Paint Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase something through any link, I may receive a small commission with no extra charge to you. All opinions are my own

Step 4:  Stencil The Stars

Once the blue jeans are cut stencil stars using white paint and let dry.

Step 5:  Make A Dowel Flag Pole

The next step for this patriotic craft is to add a flag pole.  Here using a dowel, cut the dowel into three pieces 16″ long.  After these are cut, add a small amount of raw umber craft paint or dark brown wax.

Step 6:  Attaching The Flag To The Flag Pole

For the next step, carefully add hot glue or fabric glue to the edge of the flags.  Lay down the dowel and let it set for a moment.

Add additional glue to the rest of the dowel and roll the flag over the dowel to securely attach the flag and press lightly.

Step 7:  Glue Blue Fabric

Lastly, carefully use the hot glue gun and add glue to the blue fabric. Make sure to add enough glue to the corners to keep them in place. Now carefully flip it over and attach it to the flag.

This is a great flag for getting in the patriotic spirit to celebrate the United States!

Displaying Your Patriotic Flag In Different Ways

• Add the flags to antique or new blue mason jars for patriotic holidays. Add white rice for contrast.
• Paint empty cans white, add a patriotic ribbon with natural color shredded paper inside, and add flags for patriotic holidays.  
• Fill cans with patriotic color shredded paper and add your flags.
• Make a patriotic tray
• Add red, white, and blue candies and add a flag in each can down the center of the table.
• Save corks from empty wine bottles for next year and make a flag.  Paint the corks red, white, and blue.
• Here’s an easy and great idea:  add white flowers to a basket and add a flag. This will take a minute to put together.   
• What’s more patriotic than baseball?  Aren’t I right? Add old baseballs to a wooden bowl and a flag for an easy centerpiece.  
• Have flowerpots?  Add these to a basket or urn and add a flag and done!

This is easy and a good thing to use to keep these empty cans from the compost heap.  Empty cans of any kind make excellent vases and projects for your home.  

Conclusion:

Creating your own patriotic flag is an easy way to celebrate holidays. By following these step-by-step instructions, you can make a great quality flag. I hope;e you enjoyed this easy DIY how to make patriotic flags for the fourth.