USA Flag Rag Quilt Tutorial

Last week I saw a flag rag quilt floating around on pinterest and was immediately inspired. I have actually never made a blanket or a quilt, so this was my first experience meaning this quilt was easy! I hope the quilters out there don't cringe too badly at how I put it together. I figured out the measurements of a real 3'x5' flag so that I could make a life-size one myself.

Supplies:

• 50" or 1 1/2 yards red flannel
• 30"x25" or 2/3 yards blue flannel
• 90"x50" or 2 yards white flannel
• 60"36" or 1 2/3 yards flannel center
• 60"x36" or 1 2/3 yards back fabric
• white thread
• scissors, ruler, pins, marking tool

Here are the measurements that I used.

1. Cut out the pieces and then lay them out in the right shape and order. Start by sewing the short stripes together.

2. Sew wrong sides together so that the seam allowance shows on top. I started sewing each seam on the same side of the flag so that any difference in length would show up on the same side.

2. Sew the short striped piece to the blue union piece. Sew the long stripes together. Then sew the two rectangles together.

 3. Iron all your seams open. 

4. Lay your back piece with right side down. Lay your piece of flannel on top. Then lay your pieced flag right side up. Pin as much as you'd like.

 

5. Sew down the middle of each open seam allowance.

6. Cut the edges so that all three layers match up.

 

7. For the stars I traced a circle that had a diameter of 11.5". Then I used a cup with a diameter of 3.25" to fit 13 stars around the large circle.

8. Trace a 2.25" circle and cut a star from it. Use this star as a template and trace it into each 3.25" circle.

9. Pin through all layers onto the nnion. Sew each star outline. (I forgot to take a picture of that.) Cut out the excess fabric leaving a .5" seam allowance around each star.

 

10. Cut all the seam allowances every .25" to .5". This is the longest part of the whole process.

11. Wash and dry your quilt at least once. You may need to do it again to get the rag look you want.

The stitching you did on the open seam allowances makes a cool flag outline on the back.

It's great to sit on outside to watch fireworks or as a throw on your couch.

 

I love that it's like an old raggedy flag handed down through the generations.