How to Antique a Flag

Antique a flag using tea bags.

If you have a flag you need to age for a play or as a prop decoration, consider using tea bags to give the piece an antique look. Preparing a dye bath using tea bags is a cheap way to dye any flag and you may already have all the materials on hand. The process can be completed in an afternoon and even little ones can help out with the project, though you should take care when handling the hot water of the dye bath.

Things You'll Need

• Flag
• 120-grit sandpaper
• Pot
• Bucket
• 6 tea bags

Instructions

1. Lay the flag flat on a table. Run a square of sandpaper over the surface and along the edges of the flag, roughing the fabric up to make it look aged.

2. Boil 2 gallons of water in a pot on the stove. Pour the water carefully into a bucket or tub.

3. Place six tea bags in the water, letting it steep for about five minutes.

4. Place the flag in the water, leaving the tea bags in the bath as well. Make sure the flag is submerged in the water.

5. Let the flag soak for an hour or until it takes on the brown, aged look you want. Remove the flag from the water and wring it out.

6. Hang the flag up to dry.

References

• Red Dawn: How to Tea Dye