4th of July Flag Ideas

I am sharing more patriotic DIYs and thought you might like my hand-sewn 4th of July flag ideas that I made for my table.

I made these flags about four years ago and so many of you have made them! They are easy to make and add such patriotic fun to any table. If you’re looking for something a little more creative than the standard flagpole, this 4th of July flag project is for you!

4th of July Flag Ideas

Every 4th of July we have a big dinner on the patio of our beach house. I love to set a fun, themed table and these homemade flags are my favorite! I can’t wait to share how easy these are to make.

You Made that?

How to Make an Easy DIY 4th of July Flag

4th of July Flag and Table Ideas

I am not sure if you have noticed but I love making crafts that look vintage. Anytime I can make something that looks amazing but vintage, then I am very happy. So how did I achieve that look?

I started by tearing all of my fabrics. When I use cotton fabrics, I always tear the fabric. When you tear fabric it tears on the grain so you will always get a straight piece. Tearing fabric is easier than cutting and it also creates a more handmade look. So of course I love it.

4th of July Flag Ideas

I also dyed my flags to make them look vintage. After I made the flags, I dipped them in some dye with hot water and salt to get an older, worn look. I didn’t leave them in the dye very long and you can barely tell. But I like that the fabric didn’t look so new. This is something you don’t have to do, which is perfectly fine! Keep reading, all of the instructions to make these flags are below!

4th of July Flag Ideas Materials for DIY

My 4th of July flag ideas are a craft that you can make without a sewing machine. Technically you could probably just glue the fabric but I used a needle and thread. My goal for this DIY was to make these flags simple and something all of you could make!

What You Will Need to Make These Flags

  • 1/2 yard medium to heavy weight muslin
  • 1/4 yard assorted blue fabrics with stars
  • 1/2 yard red cotton fabric
  • Embroidery thread, needles, and scissors
  • Tall sticks (from your yard or a craft store)
  • Rit Dye (tan color)

As I mentioned, I wanted a very rustic look so instead of cutting the fabric I ripped it. You are welcome to cut the fabric with scissors too. Here are the size pieces you need for each of the fabrics to make one flag.

Step By Step

STEP  #1 

For the back of the flag, tear one piece of muslin into a piece the size of 6″ x 9″.

4th of July Flag Ideas DIY

STEP  #2

For the stripes, tear the red fabric into 3/4″ strips. 

4th of July Flag Ideas

Next, cut the strips into 9″ lengths.

4th of July Flag Ideas Tearing the Fabric

STEP  #3

Tear the blue cotton blue stars fabric into a piece measuring 3″ x 4″.

STEP  #4

Tear the ties out of muslin – 1/2″ x 5″ strips (two per flag)

When you are done you will have lots of pieces!

4th of July Flag Ideas Fabric

STEP  #5

Pin four red strips on each piece of the white muslin. Sew through the center of each red fabric strip. (Or attach with fabric or heat glue.)

4th of July Flag Ideas Assembling the Flags

STEP  #6

Sew one of the blue pieces around all of the edges, on the top left side of the flag.

4th of July Flag Ideas Stitching the Flags

STEP  #7

Tear two muslin strips per flag, 3/4″ wide and 7″ long.

Make a small cut on the left side of each flag between the bottom two red stripes and on the top side of the blue striped fabric. Be sure not to cut your hand-sewn stitches.

4th of July Flag Ideas DIY How To

STEP  #8

Insert one small muslin strip in each cut.

4th of July Flag Ideas

STEP  #9 (not essential)

The last step is not-essential but I love it. I dyed my flags to make them look aged. You can do it or not, it’s up to you. I liked the vintage look so I included this step as I love how they came out.

To give your flags an aged look, mix half the bottle of Rit dye with 1/2 cup salt and very hot water (about 1 – 2″ deep) in a pan. Place the flags in the dye for about 30 seconds to give them an aged look. Rinse and lay flat to dry. Do not leave them too long or they may turn really brown.

STEP  #10

Once dry, cut the sticks into varying lengths and tie flags to the sticks.

4th of July Flag Ideas

And you’re done! It’s such a simple and festive touch that adds so much to a table or any home!

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4th of July Flag DIY Ideas

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32 Comments

  1. Love these!!! The perfect mini project when my daughter comes to town next week!! Thank you for sharing your talent with us!

  2. I absolutely love this idea and can’t wait to try it myself! Thanks for the share and the info to guide us!

  3. Love these. Going to do with the grandkids. Have you ever tried to get the old look with tea ? I remember years ago a friend talking about doing.

  4. Love this idea! My daughter is coming to visit this weekend from Virginia, this will be a fun thing to do together while she is here and then she can take them back home for her deck table to celebrate the Fourth of July. Another great DIY project.

  5. I just spent the afternoon making these adorable flags! I put them in tea and the white did become vintage however the red is still quite vibrant. I’m ordering the rot dye on Amazon it’ll be here tomorrow!

  6. Back in the 80’s we used to dye things with tea. You just get hot water and throw a couple of tea bags in there. I suppose left over coffee would work too, just add it to the hot water. Then dip your fabric in the water. Easy, peasy. Just an alternative If you don’t have at dye handy.

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