Vintage Spindle American Flag DIY

Hello friends! Do you like making your own seasonal decor? This vintage spindle American flag DIY is an easy project with so much Americana personality. Today I am sharing how you can make one of these pretty spindle flags for you own home.

I enjoy making my own seasonal decor for several reasons. The decor piece can be designed and created to match your own signature style and home design. Also, chances are it will be less expensive than a store bought item. A DIY piece will always be unique and full of character, setting it apart from mass produced products in the market place.

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Inspiration Behind the Vintage Spindle American Flag

A few months ago I shared my finds from the Great Junk Hunt and this vintage spindle was one of the prized pieces. The spindle only cost $5, and I knew I wanted to use it to make a flag for patriotic decor. It worked out perfectly for this project.

Spindles like this can be sourced in many different places. Architectural pieces are usually found at salvage yards, antique stores and fairs or sometimes you can luck out at garage or estate sales.

This spindle appears to have been a part of some type of banister. Spindles can come from chairs, cabinet doors, and many other pieces of furniture. Spindles are also architectural pieces from building structures like porches, stairs and more.

How to Make a Vintage Spindle American Flag DIY

I love how the project turned out and this spindle American flag DIY has all the vintage vibes I love. Although I had to pivot and adjust as the project unraveled, I think it turned out better than anticipated. Originally I wanted to use upholstery tacks to attach the flag to the spindle to give it more of a homemade touch, but it proved to be more difficult than it was worth. I ended up using the Tacky glue again to adhere the flag to the spindle and it worked like a charm. I added the finishing ribbon where the flag meets the spindle to give it a polished look.

Materials

• 1 Spindle (mine measures 24″ x 2″)
• Red Ticking Fabric
• Blue Star Fabric
• Ribbon
• Gold Tassel Cord
• Finial (optional)
• Tacky Glue

Tools

• Scissors
• Pinking Sheers
• Ruler | Tape Measure
• Drill (optional if attaching finial)

Instructions

• Assemble all you tools and materials, identifying the fabrics, ribbons and trims you want to use
• Measure out your fabric pieces, stars and stripes, to desired ratio and cut to finished size

• Glue your union piece (stars) to the top left corner of ticking fabric; I used Tacky Glue

• Using Tacky glue again adhere the flag to the desired position on the spindle

• Once the flag is set in place, attach a piece of ribbon finishing off where the flag and spindle meet, using Tacky glue once again

• Optional finial*: Using a drill create a hole on the top of the finial to screw in finial piece
• Wrap tassel cord around finial base where it meets up with spindle

*Note on optional finial: I have had this wooden finial kicking around for years just waiting for the right project. It’s been so long I don’t remember where I picked it up, but I do know I absolutely love its chippy profile. It was the perfect pair for this spindle. The finial had a screw in it already so Mr. M leveled off the spindle, drilled a hole and attached the finial for me (hence why they’re no pictures of this step, sorry). Please keep in mind it’s not a necessary piece to the project. Also if you have a finial without a screw you could always attach it with wood glue.

Crafting Pro Tip: Adhesive can make or break a project. Always select the best man for the job. Tacky glue was used for this project since it’s perfect for fabric applications. Always be aware of the materials used, fabric, wood, glass, metal, etc. and select the adhesive best for securing a strong bond.

Tips & Techniques for Making a Vintage Spindle American Flag

I used an existing flag we owned to size my flag to the right proportions. My flag measures roughly 8″x12″. You can use this resource to help determine the size of the flag. The aspect ratio for the American flag is 3:5 to give you a guideline when you design your ribbon flag.

I wanted to use the red ticking fabric for the stripes on the flag to give it vintage vibes. The blue star fabric to create the union was left over from this project {how to make an American ribbon flag} and it worked perfectly. If you want to simplify the process you can simply attach the existing flag to a spindle and skip the custom fabric steps. Make it yours!

The ribbons and tassel trim were also left over from the same project. When I have remnants left over from any project I usually save them since chances are they will come in handy for another project down the road. The materials I select are based on what I like and my style and invariably they will work for other pieces I design. Always be true to your style.

I used pinking sheers to cut our the union or star part of the flag. Pinking sheers making the cutting more forgiving, allowing for imperfections. The pinking (zig zag design) design also creates more interest and movement in a piece. I recommend having a good set of pinking sheers in you craft tools if you use fabric on projects.

Crafting Pro Tip: Save remnants and left over materials from a project, rather than throwing out or donating. Invariably the remnants will come in handy for a future project. Sometimes you just need a little piece of something, not requiring to buy a whole spool or package of something. It’s economical and practical.

Closing Thoughts on the Vintage Spindle American Flag

I hope you enjoyed this project as much as I did. Even if you don’t create a spindle American flag, I hope it inspires you to create a salvaged architectural piece for your home, whatever that might be. I love architectural pieces, bringing great character, texture and interest to any space. I have some other great projects lined up and I cannot wait to share.

I wish everyone the best 4th of July ever. And please stay cool and safe wherever you are and whatever you are doing. We are having a somewhat quiet-ish one at home this year, but we will enjoy good food and drink. Bloody Marys and a seafood boil are on the docket. Happy birthday to this great nation of ours! Enjoy everyone.

Get the Vintage Spindle American Flag look

• This pack of new spindles would be great for a project like this.
• These spindles are a little but taller and would be great too.
• All the details on these wood finials is fabulous.
• I love the vintage vibes of these flags, which are great for so many projects.
• Here’s red ticking fabric if you want to make your own flag.
• Blue star fabric here.
• Gold tassel trim always gives patriotic decor extra pizzazz.
• Tacky glue for the win!
• Good quality fabric scissors are indispensable.
• I love my pinking shears.

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Behind every stitch lies a story waiting to be told.” 

Betsy Ross

sharing @ between naps on the porch