I love all things vintage so when the month of May comes around, I love to start decorating for Memorial Day and then carry all of my Americana decor through Summer. I found an easy way to make these diy vintage looking flags. I’m excited to share this fun little project with you.
Supplies Needed
Cold Brewed Coffee or Black Tea
Flags (I’m using American 4×6 and 8×12)
Rectangle Container (about 2-3 inches high)
Baking Sheet
Paper Towels
Directions
- Pour the cold coffee or tea into your container.
- Place a few flags and press them down so the liquid gets soaked into the flags.
- I allow mine to sit for an hour or two. Just lift them up and check to see if they are dark enough for you. I go a little on the creamier side.
- Place paper towels on a baking sheet.
- When your flags are done soaking, place them on the sheet and allow them to dry.
- Once that batch is done, start another one.
- This is such an easy craft and any kind of flag can be done to match your vintage decor.
Tips
- Depending on how many flags you are doing, will determine how much of the coffee and tea you’ll need. I did 4 large and 12 small American flags and I used 2 cups of cold coffee.
- Make sure the coffee or tea is cool. If it’s too warm, the flags make crinkle. Let’s also keep any little one’s hands safe as well.
- Any size container will work. Just make sure it’s deep enough to hold the liquid so the flags can be submerged.
- Use your hands to push down the flags into the liquid. This will allow all of the flag material to get soaked.
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Tea Staining (Best for a Soft Antique Look)
Supplies Needed
- 4–8 black tea bags
- Hot water
- Large container or sink
Steps
- Brew the tea in about 1 gallon of hot water.
- Let it cool slightly.
- Wet the flag with clean water first (helps prevent blotches).
- Submerge the flag in the tea bath.
- Soak for:
- 15–30 minutes for light aging
- 1–2 hours for a deeper antique look
- Overnight for a heavily aged appearance
- Remove and gently wring out excess liquid.
- Lay flat or hang to dry.
- For extra character, crumple the flag while it dries.
Nostalgia Feel
If you really want your flags to look old and tattered, you can rub some brown paint on the edges. Sandpaper also works good as it will make the flags look more worn.
How to Hang Patriotic Flag Buntings
Here’s my tried and trued way to hang the flag buntings so they don’t blow away.
Check Out These Americana Treats
Here are some fun treats you can have over the Summer!
From Scratch Smore’s with Maple Infused Marshmallows and Homemade Graham Crackers
Southern Front Porch Peach Tea
Items Used
Cold Brewed Coffee
Paper Towels
DIY Vintage Looking Flags
Materials
- 2 cups Brewed Coffee (make sure it’s cold)
- Flags (use a variety of sizes)
- Rectangle Pan (I’m using a 9×13)
- Baking Sheet
- Paper Towels
Instructions
- Pour cold coffee or tea into your container.
- Place a few flags and press them down so the liquid gets soaked into the flags.
- I allow mine to sit for an hour or two. Just lift them up and check to see if they are dark enough for you. I go a little on the creamier side.
- Place paper towels on a baking sheet.
- When your flags are done soaking, place them on the sheet and allow them to dry.
- Once that batch is done, start another one.
- This is such an easy craft and any kind of flag can be done to match your vintage decor.
Notes
- Depending on how many flags you are doing, will determine how much of the coffee and tea you’ll need. I did 4 large and 12 small American flags and I used 2 cups of cold coffee.
- Make sure the coffee or tea is cool. If it’s too warm, the flags make crinkle. Let’s also keep any little one’s hands safe as well.
- Any size container will work. Just make sure it’s deep enough to hold the liquid so the flags can be submerged.
- Use your hands to push down the flags into the liquid. This will allow all of the flag material to get soaked.
I hope you enjoy this DIY craft and I’d love to see how your flags turn out. Please share this post over on Pinterest and tag me on Instagram.
Wendy Lea Walker, NTP
Nutritional Therapy Practitioner
I’m Wendy. A wife, empty-nester mama, homemaker, homebaker, gardener and small-time farmer. I love sharing wisdom and mistakes I’ve learned along the way. Anyone can garden or homestead, no matter where you live. It’s a mindset. You just have to start somewhere. I believe food is medicine. Feed the body real whole foods and healing will begin. I’m an advocate for eating real food and enjoy sharing all my fresh-milled flour recipes. I’ve learned to slow down over the years from all the noise that came with life and enjoy creating a simple cottage home.
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