Patriotic Crafts for a Memorable Fourth of July

Last year, my hubby and I were alone on the 4^th of July. We barbecued and put on our own little fireworks show. It was a far cry from the big yearly parties we used to throw. But that’s what happens when your kids grow up and move away.

This year, the whole gang is coming to our house to celebrate and I’m so excited. It’s a special year, the 250^th anniversary of our country. It’s a great excuse to gather your people, barbecue some food, and have a party. I’ve been researching recipes and decoration ideas for months.

Psalm 33:12: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.“

Even if you’re having a quiet 4^th this year, why not add some fun to the day with a few decorations? Now is the time to get crafty and get them done!

Here are some ideas.

RUSTIC FLAGS

A few years ago I wrote about making rustic little flags. I made some of them into a garland for my daughter and she hangs them on her fireplace every year. They were a fun project and a great way to teach beginning sewing. Rustic Flags Craft Tutorial | AllMomDoes

If your kids aren’t ready to use a needle, There’s an easier way to make them.

Buy red and white striped fabric and some blue fabric (with stars if you can find it). Tear the striped fabric into 4 x 6” pieces. Tear the blue fabric into 2 x 3” pieces. Then simply glue the pieces together into a flag shape with fabric glue. So simple!

Ann Kirsten

Turn these simple flags into a garland (by attaching them to twine) or make flags by gluing them to dowels or sticks from the yard.

WOOD CUBE BOOK PAGE FLAGS

I had my husband cut 4” x 4” cubes out of 2 x 4s. I needed mine to fit into certain spaces, but you could cut the wood into any size you want.

Ann Kirsten

To make a book page flag, you’ll need an old book you can cut up, mod podge, and paint.

Ann Kirsten

First, cover the block with an old book page (using mod podge). Trim the corners to make it easier and make sure you press out any bubbles. Let dry.

Ann Kirsten

Paint a flag onto the front side. Thin your craft paint a bit so the print shows through. I started with the blue and then I painted a red stripe on the top and bottom. This made it easy to center the other two stripes between the top and bottom. (You can paint the sides and back in any way you want to). After the paint is dry, use a paint pen to add a star or cut a star shape out of another book page. If you want to age the flag, add a tiny bit of brown paint with a dry brush. Then add a bit of brown paint to some mod podge and brush that mixture over the whole flag.

Ann Kirsten

PLAIN WOODEN FLAGS

If you don’t want to bother with book pages, simply paint your blocks white and let them dry. Paint the blue corner and then one red stripe at the top and one at the bottom of the cube. Center the remaining stripes in between those two. Add a star with a paint pen or cut one from a book page. (Paint whatever you’d like on the sides and back). Leave the flag as is or softly sand the edges to age the them. Paint with varnish or mod podge if you want shiny flags. Add brown paint if you want your flags to look aged.

Ann Kirsten

PATRIOTIC FLOWERS

With red, white and blue fabric, cut five circles. I used a plastic lid as a pattern. Mine was about 4 inches across. Fold the circles as shown.

Ann Kirsten

Sew a running stitch along the curved sides. Continue sewing from one piece to the next until all five are connected (leave tails of thread on both ends).

Ann Kirsten

Pull the thread tight to gather the stitches. Tie the ends into a knot and trim the ends.

Ann Kirsten

Sew or glue a button or a circle of felt into the center. Wouldn’t these make cute corsages or barrettes?

Ann Kirsten

DRYING RACK FLAG

Ann Kirsten

Here’s a unique flag to make. Grab one of your cooking racks and some red, white, and blue fabric.

Ann Kirsten

Craft and sewing stores sell “fat quarters”, small pieces of material folded into a neat package. They are great to buy for crafts even if you’re not a seamstress.

Rip your fabric into strips, any width you want, I used about 1 ½ inch width. You do not need to be perfect on this.

Weave the strips in and out of the drying rack. I did: over two, under one. You will find that because of how the drying rack is made, you will not be able to weave perfectly. Don’t worry, that just adds to the fun of this flag.

When you’re at the end or beginning of a row, leave a tail of fabric, turn the rack upside down and weave the tail into the rack. I found that a pair of tweezers really came in handy to pull the fabric through.

Voila, a flag!

Ann Kirsten

Any or all of these crafts will add a bit of whimsy to your 4^th of July festivities no matter how you’re celebrating. Plus, they’re fun to make!

1 Timothy 2:1-2: “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.“