Looking for an easy, affordable and cute photo backdrop for your 4th of July or Memorial Day celebration? This farmhouse-inspired fabric American Flag is just the ticket!
I created mine a few years ago before our annual 4th of July backyard barbecue. I set it up as an abstract photo backdrop, and it was a hit with our guests.
Another perk to this craft is that the flag stores easily and is reusable year after year. I hang it in our garage in a garbage bag to keep it from getting dusty.
This year, due to COVID-19, we’re forgoing our annual bash, but we still plan to take cute family photos in front of it. Annabelle is wearing the Red Check Bib Dress and Callahan is wearing the Pacific Gingham Jon Jon, both with the “Ribbed” monogram from Smocked Auctions.
We’ve also been using it as decoration all summer on our newly restyled back patio.
In this post I’ll share the supplies and tools I used, plus step-by-step instructions for how to construct it.
Supplies & Tools
You can get most of the tools you need to construct this flag with one trip to Hobby Lobby. The only thing you may have to make a separate trip for is the wooden dowel rod, which I bought at Michaels.
The fun part about this project is you can match the flag to your personal style by choosing different fabric patterns and ribbon types. I chose a red gingham to give it a more farmhouse look.
Here are the supplies and tools you’ll need to make the flag:
- 2 Yards White Broadcloth Fabric (This will make a 6′ flag. I cut mine a bit so it’s more like 5.5′ tall.)
- 2 Yards Red Broadcloth Fabric
- 2 Yards Red & White Gingham Fabric
- 2 Spools 1” White Ric Rac
- 2 Spools Lace Trim
- 1 Roll White Matte Tulle
- 1 Navy Bandana
- Silhouette Cameo + White Heat Transfer Vinyl or White Fabric Paint + Star Stencil + Foam Daubers
- Jute Rope
- 36” Wooden Dowel Rod
- Scissors
- Hot Glue Gun
- Iron
Instructions
Once you’ve gathered the supplies, making the flag is the easy part! It only took me about an hour to make. Most of that was spent tearing the fabric while drinking wine and watching a few episodes of Friends.
It is the same idea as the Fabric Scrap Mobile I made for Annabelle’s nursery.
Here is how to construct your flag:
- Tie the jute rope to either end of the dowel rod. (Optionally, use hot glue to make a ring around inside and outside of each knot to keep the jute in place. )Hang on a hanger or lie on the floor while you’re adding your ribbons and fabric strips.
- Tear fabric into 1.5 inch strips.
- Cut ribbons the same length as your fabric.
- Tie fabric, tulle, lace and ric rack in an alternating pattern to wooden dowel rod.
- Using a Silhouette, cut stars out of heat transfer vinyl. Iron onto blue bandana. If you do not have a silhouette, use fabric paint and a star stencil.
- Tie blue bandana onto top right of flag.
- Hang and snap away!
If you have any questions, leave them in the comments and I will respond. If you make this craft share it with hashtag #InspiredbyKendall and I’ll re-share it on my Instagram stories!
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