How to Make a Rebel Flag
In the War Between the States, America was divided, with the Union army fighting on one side to keep the states together and the Confederate army fighting for the southern states. The Confederate army, known also as the "Rebels" for speaking out against the nation, designed their own flag to separate themselves from the United States and rally around a central image. While there were many initial designs, the most commonly recognized is the Confederate Battle flag.
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Things You'll Need
- Red, blue and white cotton fabric
- Scissors
- Needle
- Pins
- Star stencil
- Fabric pen
- Red, white and blue thread
- Measuring tape
Instructions
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1
Cut a piece of red cotton fabric into a rectangle one inch longer and wider than your desired final dimensions, according to the size of flag you require. Fold all sides of the rectangle back 1/2 inch, pinning in place. Fold over another 1/2 inch and pin. Use a back-stitch to hem the flag, sewing with red thread.
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2
Measure the distance between the top left and bottom right corner of the red rectangle. Cut out an "X" from white cotton fabric with the arms of the "X" the length of the diagonal just measured and the distance from the top right and left of the "X" equal to the length of the red rectangle. Cut out another "X" of blue cotton fabric that can fit within the white "X," leaving an 1-inch margin of white all around.
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3
Trace 13 stars, using a star-shaped stencil, onto the remainder of white cotton fabric, using fabric pen. Cut out the stars. Arrange the stars onto the blue "X" so there are three stars on each of the four arms and one in the center of the "X." Pin in place. Sew using a running stitch in white thread around the perimeter of each star. This row of stitches and the following stitching will not be hemmed to make the flag look more rustic.
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4
Pin the blue "X" with stars onto the white "X" so an even margin of white appears behind the blue. Lay the "X" onto the red rectangle. Mark on the "X" with the fabric pen where the corners of the rectangle come to a point, as the final blue and white "X" shape is not a true "X," but comes to a point at the end of each arm. Lift the ends of the "X" from the rectangle and cut off the arms to a point, using the fabric pen guidelines.
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5
Pin the "X" in place to the rectangle, making sure the corners match. Use a running stitch in white thread to secure.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Rebel flag image by Roman Barelko from Fotolia.com
