Create Your Own Star-Spangled Banner For Flag Day

Set of materials for making souvenirs and gifts for Independence Day

Flag Day is coming up on June 14, and if you want to make your own stars and stripes to display in your home, try making a painted wooden flag with these easy steps.

What You’ll Need

These are the supplies you’ll need for this project. If you plan on displaying this flag outside, remember to use outdoor-suited paint. To make the stencils, the author recommends using a Cricut machine, but you can use scissors if you don’t happen to have one of those machines handy.

  • Red, white, and blue paint
  • Foam roller
  • Paint brushes
  • Paint pen
  • Pencil
  • Plywood
  • Ruler
  • Sandpaper
  • Scissors
  • White cardstock
  • Water-based wood stain

Making Your Flag

A rectangular piece of plywood is your canvass for this project, and the first step is to make sure it’s clean, then apply a solid coat of white paint. To determine how big the field of stars must be, it’s best to start by making your star shape from stock paper and measuring how much space you need for all 50. Next, trace the star shape into the field, then fill in the blue space around them. It will also help to trace out your stripes with a ruler or other straight edge to keep everything even.

Give it the Rustic Look

While bright colors will pop indoors or outside, you might prefer a more weathered look for your wooden flag. If that’s the case, a little manual distressing can go a long way toward aging the artwork for a more rustic appearance. Rough up the wood with coarse sand paper (60 grit would work well), and don’t worry about full coverage or being completely symmetrical. Some random, well-worn spots will look more natural. You can also add an extra layer of aging with some deluded stain. Mix a water-based wood stain with water, and remember to use a disposable vessel, as the stain will permanently mark whatever you use. Next, use a paint brush to apply the stain where you want extra aging, then wipe it down using a rag.

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Disclaimer: The stock image is being used for illustrative purposes only, and it is not a direct representation of the business, recipe, or activity listed. Any person depicted in the stock image is a model.