DIY Garden Flag Using a Place Mat

Do you like to decorate with garden flags for every season? It can get expensive buying different flags for each season and holiday, but I have an affordable solution. Make your own garden flag for less than $5 using a place mat from the Dollar Tree! I got the idea from seeing THIS FLAG that Pretty Handy Girl created.

After creating the basic flag from a place mat, you can customize it with iron on designs, glued on embellishments, or a vinyl monogram.

Supplies:

Place mat
Hem tape
Wooden Dowel
Picture Wire
2 Eye Screws

Note: The wooden dowel, picture wire, and eye screws are not needed if you are sliding the flag on a garden flag stake. This gives you the option to hang the flag on a door or wall.

Step 1: Cut the dowel
Measure the width of the flag, adding an inch to each side and cut the dowel using a hand saw.

Step 2: Create the pocket for the dowel
Preheat the iron to the correct temperature based on the fabric. Place the dowel on the back of the place mat, and fold the fabric over to make a hem.

Step 3: Iron the pocket hem
Once the iron is preheated, iron the folded fabric to create a crease. Cut the appropriate amount of hem tape and place it at the outer edge of the fold. Apply firm pressure to the area where the hem tape is for about 15-20 seconds until the fabric is bonded together.

Step 4: Assemble the flag
I used a drill bit to pre-drill the holes in each end of the dowel to insert the eye screws. Then, I looped picture hanging wire through the eye screws so I could create a hanger for it.

I then added a vinyl monogram to my flag using my Cricut Explore. I hung it on my shepherd's hook in front of my porch, but I may move it to the wall or door later on.

Pin this fun project for Later!

You can find instructions for creating the vinyl monogram in my DIY Monogram Canvas Wall Art post.