Bandana Flag for the 4th
I never decorate for the 4th of July. I have never found any decorations that I like, nothing really appeals to me. Until I got some inspiration from a couple of random pins and my idea came to me. One post was about joining scarves together to make a blanket here and the other was cutting up flannel shirts to make a cozy looking table runner here. From that my mind conjured up an idea of hooking bandanas together with a crocheted lace trim for a table runner, which I might still do.
I went to my nearest craft store to get bandanas and trim but I couldn’t find any white bandanas. Poop! But as I already had been through the fabric area getting the trim, a white fabric had caught my eye and a new idea was born. I want a flag! I put the trim back and got two yards of the white fabric although I knew I only needed one. Better to get more and be safe plus it was so pretty I can use the other yard for something. 🙂
The white fabric has some embroidery on it, ruffles, and a crochet trim sewn into it. It is hard to see the details in this picture.
I washed the bandanas first because they were so stiff feeling, especially compared to the white fabric. I did a little math and measured the bandanas and figured out how wide each stripe should be. Luckily the white fabric had some stretch to it because I didn’t allow for much seam allowance. Also the bandanas came out of the wash a little wonky which made them tricky to work with.
I have two separate chalk marks on the strips because I moved where I wanted my strips to begin. If I had started at the very top of the bandana my first strip would not have much of the design at all. To remedy that I moved to the top of the printing instead.
I cut all my strips and placed them where I thought they should go first and followed that as I sewed them together.
Here you can see some of the nice detail on the fabric.
After I pieced together the top seven stripes I ironed it and joined it to the blue bandana. For the bottom stripes, I had to sew two red stripes together to make the length.
I finished it by adding the bottom stripes.
I wanted it to have a little weight so I put a muslin backing on it. I laid it face down on the muslin to fit and cut it close to the flag. When I stitched it, I used a very small seam allowance and left a small opening at the bottom so I could turn it right side out.
Since I hate hand sewing and this will not get a lot of wear and tear, I used an iron on hem tape to close the opening at the bottom. BTW if you ever see my hand sewing you’ll know why I don’t like to do it, it looks like dog teeth, all jaggedy.
I couldn’t wait to put it up! I love it so much.
One of the best parts, besides that I now have something for the 4th, is that it didn’t cost tons to make. Bandanas are 1.29 at Hobby Lobby (I used three), I had muslin at home because I buy yards of it at a time to keep on hand, and the fabric was on sale half off for 7.99 a yard. I would have never bought it at regular price.
Do you decorate for the 4th of July? I do now. 🙂
I’m linking up to these parties:
That DIY Party at DIY Show Off
A Round Tuit at Creating my way to Success
Craftastic Monday Link Party at Sew Can Do
Mix it up Monday at Flour Me With Love
Made by you Monday at Skip to My Lou
Mad Skills Party at Mad in Crafts
Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings-The Heart of your Home
Inspiration Monday at I Should Be Mopping the Floor
Monday Mish Mash at Country Mouse City Spouse
Tuesdays at Our Home at Our Home Away From Home
The Scoop at Confessions of a Plate Addict
Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life
Tweak It Tuesday at Cozy Little House
From Dream to Reality at The DIY Dreamer
Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style
Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop at Ducks ‘n a Row
Wow Me Wednesday at Ginger Snap Crafts
Talk of the Town at Knick of Time
Party in your PJ’s at The Cookie Puzzle
Inspire Me Wednesday at Adventures of Mel
Creative Spark Link Party at Two Purple Couches
Work it Wednesday at The Blissful Bee
Wake up Wednesday at Eclectic Red Barn
Home and Garden Thursday at A Delightsome Life
Share Your Cup at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson
Share your Style at The Essence of Home
No Rules Weekend Blog Party at Sincerely, Paula
Thursday Favorite Things at Katherine’s Corner
The Creative Exchange Link Party at Creations by Kara
Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home
The Handmade Hangout at Too Much Time On My Hands
BFF Open House Link Party at The Answer is Chocolate
Pin Junkie Pin Party at The Pin Junkie
Craft Frenzy Friday at Craft Dictator
Friday Feature Linky Party at Oh My Heartsie Girl
Sweet Inspiration Link Party at Repurposing Junkie
Link Party Palooza at Tatertots and Jello
The Creative Collection Link Party at The Crafted Sparrow
Share it One More Time Inspiration Party at One More Time
Best of the Weekend at Sweet Pea
A Bouquet of Talent Linky Party at Life on Lakeshore Drive
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This Post Has 27 Comments
Great idea! Thank you for sharing it at SYC! 🙂 Jo
So, so cute! I have a framed flag made out of fabrics, but I love the bandanas and the white fabric is darling!! Thanks for sharing it with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Very creative use of bandanas!
Thank you, Carol. Have a great weekend!
Kileen
What a great project! Love how it turned out!
Thank you Brenda! Happy 4th of July!
The bandanas flag is beautiful. I would definitely hang this up at home and I’m not even American.
Thank you Michelle!
This is a beautiful flag, probably the prettiest I’ve ever seen! I love your idea of the bandanas and just adding the white fabric really made them stand out! It’s great to get inspired by something and then twist a project to fit your own ideas, isn’t it! Love that!
Thank you! I agree with you completely, I love it when I’m inspired by something and then it ends up morphing into something even better. 🙂
This is lovely!! I absolutely love to use bandanas in sewing projects. Thank you so much for sharing to the Monday Mish Mash Link Party!!
*Hugs*
Thank you so much for hosting. There is so much inspiration out there and hosting is a wonderful way for everyone to share. Thank you again!
I’ve seen bandanas used for decor for the fourth but not like this, love it ! I’m going to have to do this one for my decor!
Thank you Brenda! It went together really quick too.
[…] Bandana Flag for the 4th @ Raven Would […]
Hi Kileenas, just hopping back to let you know that I will be featuring you at SYC this week.
hugs,
Jann
Thank you so much Jann!
[…] love how Kileen from Ravenwould used bandanas to make this beautiful […]
[…] love how Kileen from Ravenwould, used bandanas to make this beautiful […]
This is truly beautiful! We don’t normally decorate but, I would not only enjoy making this, I would love seeing it displayed in our home! Fantastic idea! Pinning 🙂
Thank you Angie! I don’t normally decorate for the 4th either and this was my first time. Have a great weekend!
-Kileen
Your Bandana flag is truly inspired. I love it!
Thank you Kim. Have a great week!
This is seriously the most adorable and fantastic 4th of July project I’ve every seen. I know what I’ll be making for next year. Thank you so much for sharing this!
Thank you so much Trina! I like it so much I don’t think I will be taking it down until it is time to decorate for Halloween. 🙂
[…] used some leftover white fabric from the flag I made for the Fourth of July and some white muslin I purchased. The other materials used were jute cord, polyester fiberfill, […]
[…] Here’s an easy flag I whipped up last year, Patriotic Bandana Flag […]