What Fabric Is Used To Make Decorative Garden Flags

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It's easy to make a garden flag using a length of robust material such as canvas or burlap. If you want to make the project as simple as possible you can just stick the flag using fabric glue, however it's also an easy project to sew by hand or on a sewing machine. Once you've constructed the flag, you can design and decorate it any way you want to add a personalized touch to your garden.

1
Gather the necessary materials. This project requires a length of tough cloth, some paint or other decorations (such as material for applique), scissors and some fabric glue, a needle and thread, or a sewing machine.
- You'll also need a way to hang your flag. One option is to get a steel, rust-resistant garden flagpole that inserts easily into a flower bed or large planter.
- A store like Home Depot will sell these for a few dollars.
2
Choose a type of cloth for your flag. Burlap makes a good rustic-looking choice for a garden flag.^[1]
- However, you can also use any type of robust cloth, such as canvas. A heavier cloth will usually hang better.
- A place mat from a dollar store also makes a good choice, or you could consider cutting up an old, sturdy canvas bag.
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3
Pick a design. ^[2] Bright colors are usually popular when making a garden flag. You can also use burlap or unbleached cotton or canvas for a more rustic look. For inspiration check out a site such as Pinterest or some craft blogs.
- With a garden flag that hangs vertically, it isn't all that important that the material can flutter in the breeze.
- Consider weighing your fabric down with heavier materials so that it hangs well and displays your design without wrapping around the flagpole.
4
Get inspired. Here are some fun ideas to provide inspiration for your garden flag:
- Using applique techniques, add your house number or a word that has significance to you onto your canvas using a material that contrasts with the background.
- Use fabric paint to draw on your flag.
- Use a glue gun to paste objects onto your flag. Ideas include seashells, Christmas baubles, silk flowers or buttons.
- Make a patchwork garden flag by stitching clashing prints onto the background using bright contrast yarn for the stitches.
- Use stencils and a spray can to quickly create a design on your flag.
- Try using the same material or a contrasting material to add a bow or ruffle to your flag.
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1
Measure your material against the flagpole. It's best to get your flag stand first so you can measure the material to fit. Cut a length of your main flag material to the width of the hanging bar of your flagpole.
- Most flag poles are around 12 inches (30.5 cm) wide on the horizontal pole from which the flag will hang. So cut your flag material to 12 inches (30.5 cm) width (or whatever the appropriate measurement it) or very slightly narrower..
2
Decide what vertical length you want your flag to be. Most flag poles are around 18 inches (45.7 cm) tall. Allow 4 inches (10.2 cm) length for the hanging flap, then cut your flag material an additional 18 inches (45.7 cm) long i.e. 22 inches (55.9 cm).
- If you are growing tall plants underneath the flagpole, consider making the flag shorter in length so it will all be visible above the plants. The main thing is that the material should not touch the ground as it will get wet and muddy.
- You might like to double it the flag length to provide extra weight and make it hang better.
3
Stitch or glue the flag. Lay your flag material out on a flat surface. If you are doubling up the material, do that now and glue the two sides together along the left, right and bottom sides.
- At the top of your flag, fold over a 4 inch (10.2 cm) piece of material. This will create the pocket that the flag rod will insert into in order to hang your flag.^[3]
- Glue or stitch along the bottom horizontal side of this flap but do not glue the left and right sides as this is where the flap pole will insert into.
4
Decorate your flag. ^[4] Now that you have made the main part of your flag, you can do the creative design using the ideas in the section above.
- Stitch, glue or paint your design onto the flag background you have created.
- A bright design can work very well, but remember some colors may fade over time.
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1
Choose a sheltered location for your flag. A fairly sheltered place is usually the best location for your flag. Make sure the flagpole is erected in a secure manner.
- Usually it should be enough to drive the standing prongs deep into the earth, but remember the wind may catch your flag and try to topple it over.
- You might like to avoid planting the flagpole too near breakable objects such as a terracotta planter or a window just in case it tips over in a storm.
2
Slip the flag onto the horizontal flagpole. Slip the top hanging flap of your flag over the horizontal hanging pole of the flagpole. If your flagpole has a loop end, this should be enough to hold the flag in place there.
- If the flag doesn't seem secure enough, you can try pinching the hanging flap in a bit and using a safety pin to secure it so it is less likely to come off.
3

Prevent the flag from twisting and turning by weighing it down. If your flag is too lightweight it will twist and turn easily. Consider weighing the flag down by stitching a metal rod into the lower edge. This will also help stop your flag twisting itself around the flagpole.
4
Consider concreting the flagpole into place. If you really have trouble getting your flagpole to stand tall without falling over, consider concreting it into place. To do this, dig a hole, insert the flagpole base and temporarily secure it at the right angle using bricks or similar.^[5]
- Whilst it is held in place, pour concrete or post mix into the hole. Post mix can be easily stirred up in the hole so that's easy to use. Fill the hole to slightly below the surface.
- Once the mix is set, remove the bricks securing the flagpole in position and cover the concrete with dirt to hide it. Now you can hang your flag.
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Add New Question

Question

Can burlap be waterproofing?

Burlap should never be washed. To make it waterproof, try spraying it with a shoe-waterproofing product.
Question

Can I use acrylic paints instead of fabric paint for my garden flag?

Yes. It should work just fine. Because it's a porous material, the paint should not rub or wash off.
Question

I want to use my dogs photo. Can I?

Yes. Just make sure it is sized correctly and you have enough space.
Question

I have a T-shirt that I want to make into a flag. Should I use Wonder Under in between as a "stiffener" for the fabric?

Using a stiffening agent on T-shirt material is always a good choice. T-shirts are made from a knit material and will stretch and not hold their shape without support. Iron-on interfacing will stiffen the material. This makes it easier to work with when cutting and sewing.
Question

I have done 2 flags in one strip to be stitched and turned leaving 3 inches to turn (+ a pocket opening). How would I finish the pocket raw edges? I will be top stitching as a final step.

Use a serger or a zig-zag stitch to keep the edge from fraying. A thin line of fabric or waterproof glue will also work. If the pocket is where you will be hanging the flag, run a second row of stitching next to the first row. Make the stitch length different from the first row. This adds strength to the seam because the fabric threads along the double row of stitches are pulled in different directions by the different stitch lengths.
Question

Can I use a sage burlap to make a yard flag?

Burlap is generally a good choice for a yard flag. It does have a low thread count and can unravel easily. Running two rows of different stitch length will prevent it from coming apart. You can use masking tape to hold cut burlap threads together before sewing.

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About This Article

Article SummaryX

To make a garden flag, cut your flag material to be the same width, or slightly narrower than the length of your flagpole's horizontal pole. Next, decide on the vertical length, making sure that the material doesn't touch the ground. Stitch or glue the 2 sides of the flag, and fold over a 4 inch piece of material over the top to create the pocket for the flag rod. Decorate your flag and hang it in a sheltered location. For more tips on how to make a garden flag, including how to keep your flag from twisting and turning, scroll down.

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