So, when a friend offers you some old fencing, you don't say no. I knew this reddish stockade fence would make a great rustic flag for the 4th of July. With just a little paint, I was finished with this project in no time.
How to Make a Rustic Flag
This project is so easy, there are very few directions. First you will need some reclaimed fence. This stockade fence is the perfect specimen, but there are other ways to make an Americana flag for your garden. Check out my Easy DIY American Flag project.
Cut & Paint Fence Boards
You will want to cut your fence boards to size. I cut mine approximately 36 inches long using my compound miter saw. You can use any saw to cut your fence, even a jigsaw.
If your fence is already stained the reddish color, you're only going to need to whitewash 3 boards. Otherwise, you will want to use a red wash on the boards if it has a weathered gray hue.
Brace Boards
After painting your boards, you need to connect them on the backside.
This image is from another project, but I wanted to show you that you simply use two pieces on the back of the fence boards to stabilize your flag pieces.
Add Stars
Now that you have your red and white boards, tape off the corner and do a blue washed square. Add stars to your liking. I really like the primitive look of my rustic flag.
I made a star template by laying a piece of printer paper on my computer monitor and tracing a star pattern I found by doing a Google image search. After tracing the star on the paper, I cut the shape out of a piece of cardstock.
I made this in less than an hour. These 7 planks were cut down to about 36 inches. The 7 planks added up to about 24 inches in height. I used two of the pieces left over to nail the planks together on the back.
Updated to add:
Do you see the rustic flag hanging on the fence of my backyard camper retreat, ten years later?
Rustic Flag Made from Fence Boards
The darkest boards were best for the red stripes, and the most faded boards were used for the white stripes.
I very randomly placed the stars on the blue square. This was a temporary spot to take a couple of pictures. I screwed two screws into the back braces, leaving them raised enough to “catch” the fence to hold it.
I actually ended up moving it to a prettier place in the yard, still on the fence though. It was either hang it on the fence or “stake” it in the yard. While I was working on securing it to the fence with zip ties, and man and woman drove by. His window was down and he slowed down to comment on my new artwork. He said it was “very nice”.
More rustic fence projects here
see more bits and pieces projects here
related content: Farmhouse Flag
Gail Wilson is the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. She is obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believes that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again, including herself!
Gail reinvented herself during a midlife crisis and has found purpose again. She hopes you will find new ideas for old things and pick up a few tools along the way.
Lisa @ fern creek cottage
An old fence is a treasure to us isn't it?! I love the flag you made! It looks terrific! Thanks for linking up to Project Challenge!
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment Lisa!
I do love old fence projects.
gail
Julie @ followyourheartwoodworking
You take care of yourself, Gail!
concretenprimroses
Very creative to see the flag in that fence. I love the primitive look.
Kathy
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper
i LOVE this idea! so clever! why does no one ever get rid of their fences and give them to me around here?
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper
i LOVE this idea! so clever! why does no one ever get rid of their fences and give them to me around here?
Laura Ingalls Gunn
Oh I REALLY adore this project. It is going into my style file for sure!
Happy 4th of July!
Fawnda
Very cool! I love how it turned out!
I featured your here:
http://firefliesandjellybeans.blogspot.com/2010/07/last-minute-4th-of-july-projects-from.html
michelle@somedaycrafts
Another great project! I love it!!!! I'm going to feature it at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com.
Prior
These are such cool folk art flags, with the random stars...Love them.
Lezlee
Bringing Pretty Back
You did a GREAT job!
madge1967
Gale, Your are so crafty I love ths flag!!!! I want one just like it!!!
I am so jelly!
Beautiful idea that is just americana. BRAVO!
Melissa from GA
Suzanne
Chug a lug that Gatorade -- we all want you well and healthy! Glad it was something you could remedy so easily. Your flag is wonderful! I can't wait to put mine up!
A Pretty Pastime
Gail I love your flag! So glad you posted an update about your episode.
I hope your 4th of July is filled with fun and cool breezes š
Katy
Sharon
Love your flag - thanks for sharing!
Kelli
Love, love, love your flag! How simple, but totally amazing! I am also glad you followed up with the dr. Be sure to stock up on the gatorade! Have a great weekend.
Maggie Mae
Oh, I am so happy your are doing better. That sounded scarey!
Maggie Mae
The flag is great! I like how the boards where faded just right.
I have another question. I always see butcher block knife holders at my local thrift shop. It makes me want to make something out of them. Any ideas?
Katie
LOVE that!! It turned out beautifully!
Nana's Fun Stuff
Good news on the Dr. side of things. As for the flat, love love it!! Have a great weekend!
Diann
I love the flag Gail! Oh yes, if someone I knew had old wood fencing and was going to tear it done, I would be there gently helping haul it away! LOL
I am glad to hear the news from the Dr. I was told the same thing a few years ago and was also told to drink Gatorade. Now they have a sugar free one and I get that to keep on hand when I realize I am doing my normal "going overboard and not taking a break" kind of thing. LOL There is also some other alternatives out there. I think "Propel" goes the whole electrolites thing too and they come in those little dry packs that you can just dump into your water bottle.
Oh, listen to me, being all "Dr. Diann" on you! LOL Sorry about that!
Have a wonderful 4th of July weekend!
Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage
Love your flag! And I am glad you got good news at the dr!
junkermidge
Oh my gosh! You always freak me out -- you always seem to be one step ahead of me. I was planning to do the EXACT same thing! I hoped to do it before the 4th but not sure if it'll happen. I got the same stockade fencing last summer and it's still laying in piles in my yard. It pretty rough to start with, plus a year outside, I didn't know how much I could salvage but I thought I could get a few projects. The person who gave it to me usually says "So what did you ever do with that fencing I gave you?"...gulp. So many projects, so little time. But you always inspire me to get busy and make cool things. Thanks.
Midge
Debilou~Mississippi Mama
Easy peasy,, thats what i like. I've got a flag on my patio/work area that i did for my motherinlaw LAST year and still havent given it to her.. I went back and tweaked it a little last night. I plan on posting pictures this weekend. Have a great 4th of July weekend. Be safe.
Heather
I LOVE this and cannot wait to try one on my own. I have been needing to find my creative outlet again and this will be the perfect project to get back in the swing of things. Thanks!
Shannon
Like everything that you make.. I love this! This is so stinkin cute!
Glad to hear that you are on the mend. I've always heard that once you overdo it in the heat, you can't ever work as hard in it as you once did. Luckily, the humidity is still gone around here this week! We even slept with the windows open last night!
Coleen's Corner
Love the flag! With the pointed edges it looks like it is blowing in the breeze - cool effect! So glad to hear you are feeling better. I'll buy stock in Gatorade so you can stay healthy : )
Rose @ Confessions of a Curbshopaholic
It came out great! How fun that the fence boards were already red too!
There is a picture in my blog of my flag on May 1st.
http://confessionsofacurbshopaholic.blogspot.com/2010/05/kiss-keep-it-short-saturday-gardenjunk.html
This is the link if anyone wants to see it.
I like yours a lot better, it's a great size.
When making mine I used the whole section of fence just as I had found it, so it's pretty big.
Granny J
Love the flag. Wish I had a neighbor with a fence like that. I'd be tempetd to borrow a few boards. š Glad you followed up with the doctor.
Denise Beverly
we say hot as blue blazes here in east tennessee too..
love the flag.. may have to borrow that one myself. š have a wonderful fourth!
Homemade Quilts by Granny
I like the flag and glad to hear the good news from the Dr. Trish