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Craft Tutorials | Holiday Crafts | 4th of July Crafts | PB Inspired Rustic Colonial American Flag

PB Inspired Rustic Colonial American Flag

Author by Amanda Davis on July 26, 2011 Updated on January 15, 2019

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PB Inspired Rustic Colonial American Flag

 

I have always had a soft spot for Americana decor. When I came across the great big American flag in the Pottery Barn catalog I was immediately drawn to it. So were several other crafty bloggers, it’s probably one of the most popular PB knock offs I’ve seen yet! I have known for a while I wanted to make it, but procrastination always seems to get the better of me.

PB Inspired Rustic Colonial American Flag

Believe it or not, it was my husband’s nagging encouragement that finally got me to to the craft table to get this project started. The walls in our bedroom have been bare far too long and he’s been hounding asking me to hang something up. I think my next project will be this gorgeous tufted headboard from The Idea Room! But for now I needed to get this flag done.

PB Inspired Rustic Colonial American Flag

Shortly after Memorial Day we purchased a new screen door and needed some thin wood to use as spacer/shim type material. We grabbed a bundle of 36″ lath boards from Menards for a little over $5.00 and used maybe 2 or 3 to install the door.

PB Inspired Rustic Colonial American Flag

The next day I was looking through the kitchen window and noticed my husband had put the rest of the bundle into our fire pit! What?? I of course saved them from certain destruction and knew I would use them for this very project. :)

Over the next few weeks I began to see more and more flag knock off projects popping up everywhere. They are all different, which I love, each person adding their own twist and personality. My tutorial follows, but first I wanted to show you some of the projects I’ve stumbled across lately.

PB Inspired Rustic Colonial American Flag

Here’s the original Pottery Barn flag which sells for $129

And here are several knock offs I’ve seen:

PB Inspired Rustic Colonial American Flag

Moody Girl Projects (originally I found it on u-Create)

PB Inspired Rustic Colonial American Flag

Crafty Butt (I posted about this on Craft Gossip in June)

PB Inspired Rustic Colonial American Flag

Between naps on the Porch – I got my inspiration for the frame I built my flag on when I saw Susan’s version

PB Inspired Rustic Colonial American Flag

At Home with K

PB Inspired Rustic Colonial American Flag

I’m not sure that this flag from The Lettered Cottage was inspired by Pottery Barn, but I loved how this beachy flag looked. Look closely, flag’s stars are starfish! Brilliant! (I originally found this on CSI)

Now for my flag
My finished flag measures 36″ wide by 20″ high. Each of the lath boards are 1.5″ high and there are of course, 13 of them.

The cost for this project was pretty minimal, out of pocket cost was less than $10.00:

  • $5 for a bundle of lath boards (and I will make plenty of other projects from the rest)
  • acrylic paint and staining medium I had on hand
  • Primer I had on hand, I used Kilz, but spray primer would work too
  • picture hanger 2.79
  • copper tacks 1.69
  • Gorilla Glue – I used wood glue and super glue, again on hand
  • Americana matte spray sealer, on hand

PB Inspired Rustic Colonial American Flag

I did not sand the boards first, I wanted everything rustic. I primed the lath boards on hubby’s suggestion. He said that it would prevent any green or sap seepage. Plus it also adds a first coat so that your paint isn’t completely sucked into the wood.

PB Inspired Rustic Colonial American Flag

The gray boards that you see are the ones that I used to create my frame. First I laid out the 13 lath boards that would be my flag. Then I placed the gray boards over the top to figure out the size of my frame. I didn’t want the frame to poke out from the sides or bottom, so doing this ahead of time was important.

PB Inspired Rustic Colonial American Flag

Pardon the confusion here. I realize in this picture the boards are now white and there’s one middle one that is gray. The white ones are actually gray on the other side. See I ran out of white and finished with my spray can of gray Krylon primer. Anyway, I needed the center lath board because the center of my flag did not feel like it would get the support it needed due to its size. I used wood glue to attach it all together.

PB Inspired Rustic Colonial American Flag

First I taped off the area where I wanted my stars.

PB Inspired Rustic Colonial American Flag

Then I picked my paint colors. I didn’t want my flag to be red, white and blue, but rather I wanted the colors to match my room, which are brown and grayish blue tones.

PB Inspired Rustic Colonial American Flag

Then I painted the canton with light mocha. I did this so that when I add the star stickers later, they will leave this color in their place. You’ll see…

PB Inspired Rustic Colonial American Flag

Ok sorry for the back track here. I realize I just painted the canton and here it is, not painted! Ha! Just trying to type up the tutorial in order, even if I didn’t actually DO everything in order. So anyway, I found some star shaped foam stickers in my supply stash and created the 13 colony star circle for the colonial flag. When I had them set, I removed the backings one by one and stuck them in place.

PB Inspired Rustic Colonial American Flag

Next I painted the stripes with the Light Mocha and Dark Chocolate, starting and ending with the Dark Chocolate.

PB Inspired Rustic Colonial American Flag

Then I painted Uniform Blue over the canton area, carefully covering the stars. I waited about 6 or 7 minutes and got nervous. I was afraid of the stickers getting stuck to the paint, so I carefully removed them. I did have to do a little touch up with a thin paintbrush.

PB Inspired Rustic Colonial American Flag

I let the boards dry and then took my sander to them to distress them a bit.

Now it was time to put the flag together and attach it to the frame. I used Gorilla Glue’s wood glue, and touched up a couple stubborn areas with the super glue.

PB Inspired Rustic Colonial American Flag

I put wood glue down all three vertical boards and placed the flag boards on top, gently pressing them into the glue.

PB Inspired Rustic Colonial American Flag

A note about the hammer. I made that as a Father’s Day craft for Kaboose a couple years ago. if you like it, you can see the tutorial for it here

I actually WANTED my nails to be noticeable and visible, so I found some copper cut tacks at the hardware store in town. These would have been much cheaper at Home Depot.. just saying’. Regardless, they were inexpensive considering the project. I only used one of the packages and had some left over as well.

PB Inspired Rustic Colonial American Flag

These tacks don’t have the sharpest points, so I did use a small nail to poke the holes first. Then I hammered in a copper tack on each board. I love the rustic look these give it!

PB Inspired Rustic Colonial American Flag

After I had all the tacks in, I reinforced the corners of the frame with some nails.

PB Inspired Rustic Colonial American Flag

There were two boards where the tacks weren’t quite long enough, so I added a little super glue and stuck them in place.

PB Inspired Rustic Colonial American Flag

PB Inspired Rustic Colonial American Flag

I wanted to get the picture hanger in place before I completed the flag. Seems like I always forget to do that part until I’m done, then I run the risk of harming the finished product. So instead, I went ahead and attached the hanger.

PB Inspired Rustic Colonial American Flag

To give it that rustic, antiqued look, I mixed together some staining / antiquing medium with an equal amount of dark brown paint, I used Americana Bittersweet Chocolate.

PB Inspired Rustic Colonial American Flag

Work in small sections. Brush on..

PB Inspired Rustic Colonial American Flag

..wipe off with a dry cloth.

You can add more stain in some spots, or wipe off in different degrees of pressure to achieve the affect that you want.

PB Inspired Rustic Colonial American Flag

I let the stain dry for about an hour then added 2 coats of matte sealer.

PB Inspired Rustic Colonial American Flag

Pretty cool!

PB Inspired Rustic Colonial American Flag

I think it’s kind of weird that these pictures make it look like the stripes are red. But they’re not, they are brown!

PB Inspired Rustic Colonial American Flag

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PB Inspired Rustic Colonial American Flag

Author: Amanda Formaro

Supplies

  • bundle of lath boards
  • staining medium
  • primer
  • picture hanger
  • copper tacks
  • Gorilla Glue
  • Americana Matte Spray Sealer
  • painter’s tape
  • star stickers
  • sander
  • hammer
  • nails
  • rag

Paint

  • Americana Dark Chocolate
  • Americana Light Mocha
  • Americana Uniform Blue
  • Americana Bittersweet Chocolate

Instructions

  • I did not sand the boards first, I wanted everything rustic. I primed the lath boards.
  • First I laid out the 13 lath boards that would be my flag. Then I placed the gray boards over the top to figure out the size of my frame. I didn’t want the frame to poke out from the sides or bottom, so doing this ahead of time was important.
  • I needed the center lath board because the center of my flag did not feel like it would get the support it needed due to its size. I used wood glue to attach it all together.
  • First I taped off the area where I wanted my stars.
  • Then I picked my paint colors.
  • Then I painted the canton with light mocha. I did this so that when I add the star stickers later, they will leave this color in their place.
  • I found some star shaped foam stickers in my supply stash and created the 13 colony star circle for the colonial flag. When I had them set, I removed the backings one by one and stuck them in place.
  • Next I painted the stripes with the Light Mocha and Dark Chocolate, starting and ending with the Dark Chocolate.
  • Then I painted Uniform Blue over the canton area, carefully covering the stars. I waited about 6 or 7 minutes and got nervous. I was afraid of the stickers getting stuck to the paint, so I carefully removed them. I did have to do a little touch up with a thin paintbrush.
  • I let the boards dry and then took my sander to them to distress them a bit.
  • Now it was time to put the flag together and attach it to the frame. I used Gorilla Glue’s wood glue, and touched up a couple stubborn areas with the super glue.
  • I put wood glue down all three vertical boards and placed the flag boards on top, gently pressing them into the glue.
  • I did use a small nail to poke the holes first. Then I hammered in a copper tack on each board.
  • After I had all the tacks in, I reinforced the corners of the frame with some nails.
  • There were two boards where the tacks weren’t quite long enough, so I added a little super glue and stuck them in place.
  • I went ahead and attached the hanger.
  • To give it that rustic, antiqued look, I mixed together some staining / antiquing medium with an equal amount of dark brown paint, I used Americana Bittersweet Chocolate.
  • Work in small sections. Brush on..
  • wipe off with a dry cloth.
  • You can add more stain in some spots, or wipe off in different degrees of pressure to achieve the affect that you want.
  • I let the stain dry for about an hour then added 2 coats of matte sealer.

 

  • Author
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Amanda Davis
Amanda Davis is the crafty, entrepreneurial mother of four children. She loves to bake, cook, make kid's crafts and create decorative items for her home. She is a crafting expert and guru in the kitchen and has appeared online and in print publications many times over the years.
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Filed Under: 4th of July Crafts, Home Decor Projects Tagged With: adult, adult craft ideas, adult crafts, adults, americana, crafts for adults, distressed, holidays, home decor, painting, rustic, wall art

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Comments

  1. Marla Reinert says

    April 19, 2016 at 8:49 am

    Love this flag! It’s what I’ve been looking for. Thank you
    I wish you would offer a print button to print the instructions.

    Reply
    • Amanda Formaro says

      May 23, 2016 at 12:37 pm

      Hi Marla, so glad you like it! I actually do offer a printer friendly version on my newer posts, but this one is rather old and doesn’t have it. Sorry about that!

      Reply
  2. Sarah says

    September 6, 2014 at 10:43 pm

    Love the flag! Pinned it to my DIY board and plan to make it for my family room!

    Reply
    • Amanda Formaro says

      September 9, 2014 at 7:40 am

      Thanks Sarah, I hope you enjoy the project! This is still hanging in my bedroom :)

      Reply
      • Sarah says

        September 9, 2014 at 10:37 pm

        Are the 13 lath boards held together only by the frame? Thx, Sarah

        Reply
  3. Amy@theidearoom says

    June 19, 2014 at 11:15 am

    Sharing on fb today! Such a cute sign! Pinned!

    Reply
  4. Daphne says

    April 10, 2013 at 11:27 am

    Wonderful tutorial. I like your version better than PB version.

    Reply
    • Amanda Formaro says

      April 12, 2013 at 6:23 am

      Thank you Daphne, that’s very nice of you to say!

      Reply
  5. Kim Dushinski says

    April 17, 2012 at 12:39 am

    Thank you for this awesome tutorial. So, so great. I am going to make this for our entry way.

    Reply
    • Amanda says

      April 17, 2012 at 11:18 am

      Thanks Kim! Looking forward to hearing and/or seeing how it comes out!

      Reply
  6. Cyndi says

    January 15, 2012 at 2:21 pm

    Oh my gosh! I love this.. much more than the PB flag!!

    Reply
  7. Abbie (Five days...5 ways) says

    January 9, 2012 at 5:28 am

    This turned out really well! Love the weathered look and all the detail you put into it!

    I would be thrilled if you would link this up at my first ever Feature Friday Free-for-All (200+ links already and growing…yes, I’m a little excited! ; )).

    http://www.fivedaysfiveways.com/2012/01/feature-friday-free-for-all-1.html

    P.S. I’m your newest follower. : )

    ~Abbie (www.fivedaysfiveways.com)

    Reply
  8. Amanda says

    August 20, 2011 at 3:05 pm

    Thanks Jacee, I appreciate that!

    Reply
  9. Jacee says

    August 19, 2011 at 10:01 pm

    Thanks for sharing your instructions. You did a great job on that flag.

    Reply
  10. KATHY says

    August 2, 2011 at 7:42 pm

    Great job on your flag!! It looks fabulous.

    Kathy

    Reply
  11. Tami says

    July 31, 2011 at 3:36 pm

    Very nice. Feel free to stop by my blog at http://www.thisandthatfromtami.blogspot.com
    Fondly, Tami

    Reply
  12. Bethany @ A Fish Who Likes Flowers says

    July 31, 2011 at 6:21 am

    Your flag is beautiful! Thanks for showing me how to make one myself. Thanks for the inspiration

    Reply
  13. Jen says

    July 30, 2011 at 7:04 pm

    I love it!

    Reply
  14. Honey at 2805 says

    July 30, 2011 at 4:33 pm

    Nice job! I'm a US flag lover!

    Hope you will please drop by and enter my $50 Overstock.com Gift Card Giveaway!! If there are 500 entries, the amount will increase the Gift Card to $100.

    Reply
  15. Sommer says

    July 30, 2011 at 4:15 pm

    Ah I was looking for something like this for the 4th! I'm keeping this in my file for next year for sure! Would love to have you link to my party this weekend too! http://designergarden.blogspot.com/2011/07/vip-party-21.html

    Reply
  16. Meggan from Lila Grace Accessories says

    July 30, 2011 at 12:46 pm

    Love this idea! You did a fabulous job!

    Reply
  17. BluBabesCreate says

    July 30, 2011 at 1:49 am

    Oh cute! It would go perfect in my son's room. Come see!

    Reply
  18. Kim -today's creative blog says

    July 28, 2011 at 12:57 am

    I love it! It turned out so good.

    Reply
  19. Angie says

    July 27, 2011 at 5:50 pm

    Great job on this project. I'm pinning it so I can remember it for next year! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  20. Kari says

    July 26, 2011 at 11:59 pm

    I absolutely love this Amanda…you did an amazing job!
    Kari-Ucreate

    Reply
  21. Susan (Between Naps on the Porch) says

    July 26, 2011 at 11:43 pm

    Amanda, your flag turned out wonderful! I love it! So fun seeing everyone's version…they are all unique and beautiful!

    Reply
  22. Kindra-At Home With K says

    July 26, 2011 at 8:41 pm

    Great job on your flag! Thanks for sharing my pic of my flag. They are easy and fun to make!!

    Reply
  23. By Shawna Rae says

    July 26, 2011 at 8:23 pm

    Love this… added this to my pinterest board. Thank you for sharing!
    byshawnarae.blogspot.com

    Reply

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