It’s that time of year! Here in the US summer is officially starting and it’s time to pull out the patriotic projects and decor. You may remember one of my new favorite quilts from last year, my Flying Flags quilt. It’s such a fun, fast US Flag quilt design and pattern. This year I’ve updated and expanded the pattern as Fly the Flag with lots more detailed instructions + patchwork star block pattern variations.
If you’ve been around these parts for a while, you know I kind of have a ‘thing’ for flag quilts – I’ve made quite a few quilt blocks of flags from different counties. I’m also a sucker for Americana and red, white, and blue. An always classic combination.
This spring, I updated my Fly the Flag quilt- adding a lot more patchwork stars and making a version where all of the flags are hanging ‘right-sides-up’ – whether vertically or horizontally. (Fun flag fact: did you know whether you hang a flag vertically or horizontally, the blue star field always goes in the top left hand corner?)
This quilt is perfect for sewing with precut 2 ½″ wide strips (aka Jelly Rolls or Rolie Polies). If you have leftover red or white strips laying around this is a great project for putting them to good use.
For this new US Flag Quilt version I went with a more washed out color palette – giving the flags a “beachy” or faded, vintage-y look to them. I also used white for the sashing and outside border.
This quilt was quilted by Melissa of Sew Shabby Quilting using the Good Vibes pantograph – I really like how it gives the illusion of the flags waving in the breeze. Plus, some awesome texture to the quilt itself.
This new professionally printed version of the pattern includes the original pattern + a few modifications and is available now.
In other fun news, I will be teaching this pattern in a live online class for My Girlfriend’s Quilt Shoppe on Monday, June 14. (Flag day!) And if you can’t come to the live class, the recorded version will also be available indefinitely.
This classic red, white, and blue quilt has so many variations. Like the original Flag quilt, I also love a color combination where the flags pop by using a contrasting aqua sashing. (I think an indigo chambray would also look really cool.)
The new and improved pattern includes lots of traditional star block variations for embellishing the star-fields of the 20 flags. This version also includes the instructions for all of the flags facing “right-sides-up” – whether they’re vertical or horizontal – as I know not everyone is comfortable with upside down flags.
This quilt has so many options – it’s kind of like a choose your own adventure book, but with fabric. You can choose to make as many or as few stars blocks as you like and fill in the rest of the star fields with blue fabric.
Here’s a mock-up of the quilt in the darker/brighter color combination + a star quilt block for every flag. Each quilt is truly one-of-a-kind.
The printed version is available for shops to order wholesale. (You can contact me directly, or order from Checker in the next few weeks.)
As I mentioned, Fly the Flag is available now in my shop in both instant-Printable PDF or paper-copy versions.
The quilt requires 4 yards of backing fabric. I used the red, white, and blue tartan plaid from Notting Hill on the back of my quilt along with the blue gingham print (cut on the bias). You can find the blue Notting Hill plaid and gingham prints available on Etsy.
If you’re looking for a similar selection washed out “beachy” reds, whites, and blues, check out these fat quarter bundles/kits from Sojo Fabrics and Simply Love Fabrics. (This one was curated to go with my faded Union Jack quilt, but the fabrics and prints would work just as well for this quilt!)
Happy Memorial Day weekend to all of you here in the US. I love Memorial Day weekend – gathering with family & visiting and remembering loved ones, and feeling gratitude for those – including loved ones – who have sacrificed everything for their country. ❤
And this year feeling extra grateful to be able to gather safely with loved ones again.
Wishing the best for all of you.
The Joyful Quilter
Another Americana fan, here. I absolutely LOVE both versions of this quilt, Amy!
Amy
Thank you!!
Rosemary B
this is a very sweet quilt. I would love to make a few of these, for each of my favorite peeps
I love your patterns Amy
Amy
Aww, thank you, Rosemary. xo
Cindy Wedeking
Following The Pat Sloan new book Quilt tour. You have an awesome site and log. Love the flag quilts.
Cindy from VA
I love your flag quilts!! Especially the ‘faded’ one – great for the beach! And my fave holiday? Thanksgiving!!
Jeanne Calkins
Hi, Amy, I purchased the PDF Fly The Flag pattern recently and today I received an email stating that the pattern was updated. Because I actually printed the entire (I think 19 pages) of the pattern, I’d rather not do that again. Is there a way to find out what was updated so I can make changes on the pattern I already printed? Thanks.
Amy
Great question – thank you for asking as I’m sure others will have the same question. (And for anyone who bought the printed version.)
Here are the updates:
Fortunately very minor updates all in the Star Blocks portion:
On page 14 the Letter B in the sawtooth Star block drawing needs to be on the dark star point.
On page 15 – under Fabric Requirements for Sawtooth Star Version B – Fabric D should read 2 5/8 instead of 3 5/8
For the Pinwheel Star Fabric requirements for Version A and B: all of the 3″ x 3″ squares should read 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″. (3″ x 3″ isn’t the end of the world – there will just be a lot of excess to trim when squaring up.)
I apologize to all for the errors. I have my patterns professionally formatted and proofread in hopes of avoiding any major errors. Every once in a while, we miss something. 😣I’m SO sorry for when that happens.