How to Sew Your Own American Flag

If you have ever wanted to make your own flag, this is a great solution and it can be passed down or given as a gift. Read on to learn how to sew your own American flag.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sewing machine
• 1 ¾ yard red polyester/cotton broadcloth
• 1 ¾ yard white polyester/cotton broadcloth
• 7/8 yard blue polyester/cotton broadcloth
• Two packages large size, iron on white muslin

1. 

   For pattern, see illustration of flag, marked A, B, C, mark and cut out. For part A, you need four red stripes 4 x 37 ½ inches. For part B, use a blue rectangle 25 ¼ x 22 inches. Trace star pattern onto acetate, light sandpaper or cardboard. Use pattern to cut stars from iron on muslin, with shears. For part C, use three red stripes 4 x 61 ¼ inches and three white stripes 4 x 61 ¼ inches.

2. Know that making seams requires flat felled seams since they give trim, flat seam finishes with no raw edges. To make flat felled seams, join fabrics right sides together and stitch with a 5/8 inch seam. Trim seam allowance of lower section to 1/4 inches. Turn remaining 5/8 inch seam allowance down over the narrower seam allowance and turn in its raw edge. Press and stitch. Always turn each seam allowance sown toward the stripe below. Use seam stripes for sections A and C.

3. To avoid repeated changes of thread color in the sewing machine, stitch together all stripes in part A and all stripes in Part C with red top and bobbin threads. Make flat felled seams first where a white seam allowance is top-stitched onto a red stripe. Change top thread to white, keeping red bobbin thread. When a red seam allowance is top-stitched over a white stripe, change to red top thread and white bobbin thread to complete seaming. Use blue thread top and bobbin to join parts A and B and turn seam toward blue material. To join sections A and B to section C, use red top thread and white bobbin thread, turning the flat felled seam down toward the white stripe.

4. Stitch together sections A and B, joining shorter edges. Match tops and trim excess blue fabric so it is even with bottom red stripe in part A. Seam white stripe of section C to section A and B. Turn under and press raw edges all around. Topstitch gold fringe to edges, using double row stitching. Leave left edge unfringed.

5. For placing stars: with white tailor’s chalk, mark a frame 1 ½ inches from all edges of blue field. Mark off field into 20 equal squares. Do this by dividing horizontal measurement by six and vertical measurement by five. Square will be approximately 3 ½ inches on each side.

6. Place a start at the crossing of all lines. Then place a star in the center of each square. Press and baste each star in place with tip of iron. When placement is perfect, iron stars in position, then repeat for opposite side.

7. Try to position each star exactly over its mate on the other side. Work carefully and follow package directions. Stitching is not necessary. Stitch tape to left side of flag. Using eyelet tool, make an eyelet at each end of tape. If you do not use gold fringe, turn raw edges on three sides for hem.

[Gene42]

on 11/9/2008 I'm sorry Sarah

My eyes skipped over step 2 when I was skimming through the instructions. I see the seam and trim allowances. I'll let you know how my flag turned out.

[Gene42]

on 11/9/2008 Hi Sarah

I would like to know what will the finish length and width of the flag will be after it is completed? Also, what is the seam allowance for the stripes? You can post to answers. Thanks