Easy Patriotic Flag Bunting for the 4th of July

Ah, the Fourth of July. If you follow me on Facebook, you know this is a time of difficult memories yet celebration for us. One of my best friends summed it up best in an email she sent today:

I remember you talking about fireworks when Abby was first born, and how you were watching them not knowing what was going to happen to your little noodle…. and now we can watch those firecrackers each year and celebrate an absolute miracle.

She got it exactly right, which of course she would, because she’s that kind of friend. 😉

I still get teary eyed remembering that night four years ago when my husband and I peered out large windows and watched the fireworks going off over the city of Philadelphia. We were heartsick– we’d just been told our daughter probably would not survive. Those fireworks felt like a curse to us, how on earth could people be celebrating?! But we snuggled in and hugged each other, certain of one thing… our daughter was an amazing person, and no matter what happened every moment of her life would be filled with love.

Fast forward four years.

This is our little firecracker today.

Fourth of July is a day of celebration in these parts nowadays. I’m just now emotionally able to begin collecting a few timeless decor items we can pull out each year. Here’s a quick patriotic flag bunting you can make in under an hour, and for just a few dollars if you hit the right sales. I’ve written the tutorial for sewing but you could use iron-on tape just as easily, making this patriotic decor ‘no-sew!’

1. First, purchase inexpensive flags (these were 50% off at Michaels) in the size you’d like for your bunting. I used the smallest size so it would fit a specific space but a larger size would look great as well. Carefully pull them off the staffs, they should come off pretty easily.

2. When hung from above, flags should hang with the stars on the left side as you face them. For this project, you’ll tuck them backwards into single fold double bias tape–

— so that when you turn around the finished bunting to hang them, the stars will be on the correct side. Pin them in place.

3. Sew down the bias tape using your favorite stitch. I used a zig zag stitch in contrasting thread so it would ‘pop’. Be sure to leave a ‘tail’ at each end of the bias tape to tie it up when done.

4. In retrospect, I would also do a stitch in navy thread (to make it blend in) along the bottom of the bias tape to hold the flags better and make it hang flatter. When I take this down at the end of the week, I’ll do that so it’s ready for next year. See how it needs to be tacked down at the bottom edge of the bias tape?

And without further ado, we now we have bunting!

I’ve been working so hard on the deck makeover that the front entrance has been neglected. Now to clean off the table, add something pretty, plant a few flowers… you know, in between the kitchen renovation, dance classes, and summer day trips we have planned.