Who in America doesn’t own some sort of American flag? Whether it’s one that flies outside, or one that is a table centerpiece, most of us own some sort of flag that we display at least during the holiday. Whether you have a flag or two, or you’re in need of one, you’ll love making an easy yet beautiful Fourth of July flag that will hang on the wall and last for many years.
Purchase a slab of Styrofoam at any craft store. The slab can be huge or really small. You’ll find many different shapes and sizes; one of which is perfect for your particular flag. Buy a piece that’s fairly thin or a piece that’s thick and substantial. The project can be made small or large so it’s perfect for anyone’s budget.
Purchase a piece of red, white or blue cord to hang the flag. Glue the ends of the roping down the sides of the Styrofoam slab. Instead of roping you can use ribbon or even braided yarn. The finished flag is lightweight and easy to hang. Another option for hanging is to glue a metallic toothed hanger on the backside. Large flags might need more than one hanger. Make sure you glue them at the same distance from the edge so the flag will hang straight.
After the hanger is on you can start creating the flag. There are many different things you can use to make the red and blue designs on the white Styrofoam. A very inexpensive way to decorate the flag is to use ordinary colored tissue paper. Buy it in red and blue then tear it into small pieces. The pieces can be randomly torn or cut into exact shapes. Cutting the paper into circles makes it really easy to design the flag. The size you cut the circles will depend on the size flag you’re making. Small flags can use circles made from soda bottle caps or even spice jar lids. Large flags should be made with much larger circles.
Use a square of cardboard to make a square in the upper lefthand corner of the Styrofoam slab. Make a small area for a small flag, of course, and a larger square for a larger flag. The corner square will be filled with blue tissue paper pieces. Start by using a small-diameter wooden dowel – or something similar, to push the tissue pieces into the Styrofoam. Place the dowel in the center of the circular piece, position it on the Styrofoam, then push it down into the foam. Continue adding the next and the next piece until the blue square is complete. There should be small slivers of the white Styrofoam shining through the blue tissue paper pieces.
Use a ruler to draw lines for the red stripes on the flag. Use the same technique, pushing the circular pieces into the foam, until you’ve created several stripes. Make very thin stripes on a small flag – wider stripes on a larger flag. Make sure the first and last stripes are white so you won’t be trying to push circular pieces in at the very edges of the Styrofoam.
There are other materials you can use to make the flag. Purchase inexpensive blue and red fabrics and use them to create the flag design. Or, purchase flag material from a fabric store and use it to make the total design of the flag. To keep the pieces secured in the holes push the fabric in, take it back out and add glue, then push it back in again. Make a different kind of cloth flag by gluing a blue square of fabric to the upper lefthand corner. Cut red strips of fabric and glue them onto the Styrofoam. This method is easy yet still looks great.
Instead of using any type of paper or cloth you can glue fake jewels onto the Styrofoam instead. You’ll find the stones at any craft store and they come in bags with many inside. Use tiny jewels for small flags and larger jewels for big flags. Hot glue works great to quickly attach the jewels. A small-diameter dowel rod will help you pick up really little jewels. Tap the end of the rod on a damp washcloth then touch it to the jewel. The moisture will hold the jewel long enough for you to position it on the flag. Larger stones are easy enough to pick up and place.
You don’t have to go out and buy Fourth of July decorations for your home. It’s much more fun to make them yourself. The Styrofoam flag project is appropriate for anyone’s budget and easy enough for even children to create. It’s fun, cheap and very patriotic!
