How to Sew a Mini Garden Flag
Garden flags fluttering in the breeze, are welcoming, colorful additions to a home. Have you ever wondered how how to create your own garden mini flag?
Well then this simple tutorial on How to Sew a Mini Flag, filled with DIY step by step pictures and directions is for you! Once you master the basic technique, you will be able to sew any kind of mini flag you want, from patriotic stars and stripes, holiday flags, birth announcements and so much more, creating the perfect DIY flag for every occasion or holiday in life! This flag is perfect for beginning sewers with minimal sewing skills, taking a whopping 15 minutes to sew up. It was the simplest sewing project ever, very similar to sewing napkins!
We started with some leftover flag fabric found in our patriotic porch decorating bin! Always good to use what you have on hand with DIY projects, and sewing a simple garden flag is no exception. Flag fabric found in craft stores tends to be a poly blend, which holds color well, just be careful with a hot iron. (Note raw selvedge at the bottom - this is the only seam we will not zig-zag)
Grab a mini flag that you currently own for a loose idea of size. Since we are making a specific American flag, from flag fabric, we had to do the best we could, within the fabric slice we have. Easy! Most mini garden flags are 12x18. If you are making a flag out of a different fabric, cut it out 13x 20, allowing for extra fabric to make sturdy seams.
The secret to any sewing project is to PRESS your fabric! Again, be careful using an iron on a poly cotton fabric, test to make sure it doesn't burn up. Start by folding the bottom selvedge edge of the flag over 1/4 of an inch.
You will then fold it over a second time, so no raw edges will poke through, or unravel.
Sew a 1/4 inch seam, back-stitching at both ends. You can see the raw selvedge (raw edge with factory binding) are neatly tucked under.
Decided to sew the bottom seam twice, so it would look neat and functional! Not necessary on all other seams, just wanted to on this one.
Zig zag remaining three edges of the flag. The fabric used determines whether you need this step. This fabric happens to be a large weave, that could easily unravel. Zig zagging the edges will help lock in stitching, and allow you to launder the flag.
Fold over two side edges of your mini flag and press well.
Sew 1/4 inch seam, press. Repeat by folding raw edge over again, so when you sew it the raw edge disappears forever, leaving you clean, neat edges on the flag! Do this on all three sides of the flag, bottom, left and right sides.
Continue reading directions to see how to finish the TOP side, where you put the mini flag pole through!
CRITICAL STEP! It is imperative that you make a big enough seam on the TOP of the flag, to insert through your pole.
It will require about a 1 inch tube. First, fold flag TOP over and sew 1/4 inch seam. Press thoroughly. Then fold this seam over again 1 Inch, and press well. Stitch, leaving a 1 inch gap to put the flag pole through.
Hang and enjoy! You can create as many easy DIY mini flags as can be imagined, with these simple, step by step photos and directions! The sky is the limit - go make a mini flag!
Copyright Lisa Baughn at www.ThePrudentwife.com ~
Lisa Baughn shows you how to save time, money and sanity while learning to thrive in the “new economy,” equipping you to get out of debt faster. Creative ideas to live again, nail one debt at a time, revamping your lifestyle and attitude. Enjoy signature how-to videos which explode open easy cooking techniques with simple gourmet meals and maximum nutrition. Thrive in the new economy! Great ideas and tips can be found at her website www.ThePrudentWife.com