DIY Planked American Flag
Learn how to make this DIY planked cedar American flag. It’s the perfect patriotic project in neutral colors!
I’m SO excited to share today’s project… It’s one of those that was awesome in my head but even more incredible in real life. Drum roll…..
Stunning, isn’t it? In case you forgot, the challenge was to make something patriotic but not red, white, and blue.
I had some cedar planks left over from our attic renovation (I am still obsessed with our whitewashed plank walls, I admit), so I decided to make a planked American flag using stain rather than paint.
It was so easy, and I think the result is just gorgeous. Here’s how you can make one, too:
How to make a planked whitewashed American flag:
- Determine your desired size (I wanted mine 26″ x 34″) and divide the height by 13 (26/13= 2″).
- Trim cedar planks (or any planks – pallet wood would probably work, too!), making them whatever width you determined above – Mr. Pax cut me 13 strips that were 2″ wide and 34″ long.
- Cut two more strips the height of your flag – mine were 26″ long; these will secure your planks together.
- Stain 7 of the strips with a dark stain (I used Minwax dark walnut).
- Line up your planks with alternating colors, then put them all face down.
- Put a line of wood glue along your 26″ pieces and place them face down on the back of your flag.
- If you’re impatient like me and don’t want to wait for your glue to dry, use screws to secure the braces into your planks (don’t forget to pre-drill to avoid splitting).
- Tape off your “blue” section (where the stars go).
- Stain all the boards in that section (be careful not to let your stain seep under the tape… I’ve found that painting it on about an inch away from the tape and then rubbing it into the wood with a paper towel means less seepage).
- Using a star-shaped sponge (I cut mine from an old sponge brush and hot glued it to a wine cork!), place your stars accordingly. I used a chalk-based paint (simplicity by Country Chic Paint) so that it would dry quickly. Again, ZERO patience on my part!
- Whitewash the entire sign to soften the difference between the colors. For tips on whitewashing, see this tutorial.
I love all the imperfections… The knots, the cracks, and the texture.
And I was a little surprised (because, honestly, I don’t usually go all out for patriotic decor), but I think I could even leave this up year-round if I wanted. I love how it complements the warmth of the bed but is still understated against the whitewashed walls.
I think it looks beautiful with my simple bedside table, too.
I wasn’t originally planning to put it in the attic; I measured to put it above the mantel in my office… but it has definitely found its home…. for now, at least. 😉
What do you think? Does it inspire a little creativity and patriotism in you, too? I hope so!
Be sure to pin it!
Disclaimer: As a part of the Country Chic Paint blogger squad, I do receive compensation in the form of goods and products from Country Chic Paint, but, as always, all opinions are 100% my own!
MORE PATRIOTIC PROJECTS:
I am IN LOVEEEE.
your entire room is gorgeous but this american flag wood piece is simply gorgeous!!
p.s. I am a first time reader so excuse me while I spend the rest of the afternoon perusing through your blog 🙂
You are excused, Michelle! 😉 I’m SO glad you like the flag, and I hope you like everything else you see. Welcome!!
Would you be willing to make another American flag ?
I’m sorry, I am not making or selling those at this time.
Love it Rachel! seems like it’s always been there!!!
Thanks, Vel! It was such a fun project to make. 🙂 So glad you like it!
Such a fun and different flag Rach. Great job!
Thanks, Shara!! xoxo
Absolutely Beautiful!
Thank you so much, Carmody!
Oh my goodness – I love this SO much Rachel!
You and me both, Sarah!! 😉 Thanks!
Just absolutely and ridiculously gorgeous!! It’s perfect in your attic space – I love it!
I love your style. These colors are perfection!
Wow – perfection? You are too kind, Lindsay!! So glad you like it. 😉
Rachel, the whole room is just amazing and your flag project is incredible! What a perfect touch with the white washed walls, the bedding, everything. Couldn’t love it more!
Jeanette
Oh thank you, Jeanette. You are so kind! I’m so glad you like it. 🙂
What a great plank inspired flag! I love the stars!!!! Thanks for sharing this at THE SCOOP! Pinning and featuring your project on fb!
I can’t thank you enough, Yvonne. I’m so glad you like it!!
This room is simply stunning and the planked flag is beautiful.
I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that, Katie. Thank you!
Hi Rachel! This is absolutely stunning; I am obsessed! I’d love for you to link up with me and the Create & Share DIY and Recipe Party!
Thank you so much, Karly! I’m SO glad you like it!! 🙂
This is so beautiful! I have shared!
Thank you so much, Lisa! I’m so glad you like it!!
Stopping by from The Handmade Hangout link party. I love that you used stain instead of making it red, white and blue. Looks great! Pinning 🙂
I’m so glad you came by, Melinda! And so happy you like the flag. Thank you! Hope to see you again! 🙂
Hi Rachel,
Your flag turned out fabulous! It looks right at home against the whitewashed walls. The whole room is wonderful.
Thanks for the inspiration,
Suzanne
Pieced Pastimes
Thank you so much for your sweet comment, Suzanne! I’m so glad you like it. 🙂
Oh my goodness your room is so beautiful. That white washed wood has me swooning!
And that Flag is a perfect addition to your setting! Lastly, I’m really digging your creative use of materials wine cork + old sponge = brilliant!
So glad to “meet you” through the patriotic challenge!!
Thank you so much, Trisha! I’m so glad you like it, and you’re so kind – my “creative use” of materials is really my “too lazy to go to the store” mentality. Ha! Thanks, though. I’m really so glad you enjoyed it, and I’m so glad to “meet” you, too!
So pretty!!! I am featuring you this weekend!
Thank you so much, Desiree!! I’m so glad you like it. 🙂
This flag is stunning!! My hat is off to you for creating such a great piece!
Thank you so much, Jocelyn! So glad you like it. 🙂
This flag is gorgeous and works beautifully in this space. We’ve featured it on our Independence Day Round up at Reviews, Chews & How-Tos.: http://rchreviews.blogspot.com/2014/06/independence-day-diy-round-up.html. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much, Lynda! I’m so honored and so glad you like the flag!! 🙂
Rachel, this looks perfect in the space you chose. Love! Thank you for sharing. You will be one of the features later today at the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Hope to see your prettiness again at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Thank you so much, Kathryn! I’m so glad you like the flag and SO honored to be featured! Hope you have a wonderful 4th with your family. 🙂
Absolutely amazing! I pinned this so fast it made my head spin. Love love love!
Haha – you are too cute, Landee! I’m so glad you like the flag. Thanks for pinning!!
Your flag (and your walls) are absolutely beautiful! I want to make one right now! Happy Fourth!
Susan
You are so kind, Susan, thank you!! I hope you a chance to make one soon. 🙂 They are so satisfying! And I hope you had a very happy 4th, as well.
Beautiful!
Oh, thank you, Heidi! 🙂
I’m stunned with your creativity – the planked flag looks amazing but at the same time is so simple! Thanks for the tutorial! I’m first time here but definitely not the last one – your blog is amazing and so inspirational:)
Oh Justine, you are too kind! I’m SO glad you found me, and I hope you’ll come back lots. 🙂
Hi!! I’m so obsessed with this and want to build it for my husbands birthday. Do you happen to know how much it weighs? I want to follow yours step -by-step but I want to hang it outside on our siding. I need a rough weight estimate to decide exactly how I can hang it! Thanks so much
Amanda
I’m so glad you like it, Amanda! I’m a TERRIBLE estimator, but I would guess it weighs around 8lbs??? Like I said, I’m not great that that. It will depend on what kind of wood you use, too, but I’m sure you could hang it securely with strong nails or one of those french cleats. I hope you have fun making it!! 🙂
how thick should the planks be
Oh wow. This is perfect! I’m not a big fan of all the “pallet flags” out there, but THIS? This is more like it! Beautiful work here!
Thank you, Becky!