How To Make A Rustic Wood Flag

You can make a rustic wood flag with an old reclaimed wood drawer bottom, a trunk lid, a piece of discarded wood, you name it…..be inventive……get creative. The flag project has several steps but nothing difficult to it at all.

I call this flag a farmhouse style flag because it isn’t red, white, and blue. I chose to stick with a neutral palette for this project. I made a pretty red, white, and blue flag and a recycled ruler flag that you guys would love too.

I completed the project in less than two hours. You guys know me, I didn’t measure anything and the flag is perfectly imperfect. Just how I like things.

A lot of times I just wonder around the workshop looking at what I have trying to come up with ideas. I’ll spot one piece like the old box lid I used for this flag and an idea is born. Then I have to search for other items to make the project happen. The projects don’t often come together as easy as this one did.

How to make a Rustic Wood Flag

Supplies For The Flag:

Wood for flag- new or reclaimed
Wire and screws for Hanger
FrogTape
Howard’s Wax- Neutal
Beyond Paint- Off White
Rusty Nail Star – eBay

The board is a piece from my favorite junk shop. I pick up reclaimed wood any chance I get. The pieces and parts come in handy at project time.

Apply Painter’s Tape

I used FrogTape to make the stripes. I didn’t measure anything…just eye-balled it.  The FrogTape was the perfect width for the stripes. Of course it all depends on what size the wood piece is as to how wide you make the stripes.

I made sure the edges of the tape were good and sealed by using a flat plastic piece (similar to a credit card) and running it over the edges. I think this is called burnishing. That’s what I’ve always called it but the definition in the online dictionary is different. Maybe one of you guys know what it’s called.

I taped off a small square area for the one iron star. No, the flag isn’t to specs….it’s called “creative license”. I use it a lot.

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Paint The Flag

For the stripes I used off-white Beyond paint. I didn’t worry too much about covering every speck of wood with the paint. Remember, I want the wood flag to have a very rustic look.

See how nice and clean those paint lines are? Love it. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to paint the area for the star but decided last minute to paint it.

Just a little distressing to give the flag a worn look. Another reason not to completely coat the stripes with white paint.

I applied a coat of Howard’s Wax to seal, protect….and add patina to the wood.

Maybe you guys remember this crate lid with the stenciled name? It’s what I painted the flag on. I didn’t paint over the back…saved the history.

For the hanger I used two screws and picture hanging wire, and as always wall protectors on the corners. Most of the pieces I work with are a little rough and I try to do everything I can to make them “home friendly”.

How do you like the flag hung vertical? I like that I can change it up. The iron star is actually a star nail and I ordered a bunch from eBay a few years ago. I just nailed it on. I added iron stars to this red trunk.

I made a Barnwood Caddy and it’s one of my favorite projects. See the video below….

Barnwood Caddy

I wanted to go a different direction from the red, white, and blue. I still haven’t made the nautical flag with starfish as the stars. Maybe next Summer, I’m kind of out of the mood now.

I made a rustic star flag in red, white and blue you can see here!

What do you think of the flag? The whole project took less than 2 hours. You should give it a try. I bet you can find something to work with around your house.

Thanks for being here and have a great day, Kathy