How to Make a Fabric Strip American Flag Banner -

This rustic farmhouse American flag banner is so easy to make using fabric strip remnants, twine, and a simple tying technique — no hot glue gun or sewing needed! It’s perfect for the Fourth of July or Memorial Day.

Bring a classic look to your home with this easy DIY American flag banner that's perfect for anyone who loves Memorial Day or 4th of July crafts. Patriotic projects like this add a personal touch to your DIY patriotic decor collection. If you're a fan of vintage patriotic decor, this banner will look stunning draped across your patriotic mantle.

Looking for a simple Memorial Day or 4th of July craft for adults? This patriotic rag garland is the perfect beginner project that anyone can do!

This shabby chic garland is one of those patriotic crafts that you can use for both 4th of July decor and Memorial Day decor.

It’s perfect for 4th of July mantel decor, patriotic decorations for your banister, and more.

It’s seriously one of the easiest DIY 4th of July decorations to make!

Materials Needed

Red, white, and blue fabric scraps on a white background with a spool of assorted red and white ribbon.

This craft has two main banner parts: scrap fabric and ribbon for the garland.

If you have enough red, white, and blue fabric scraps on hand, and coordinating ribbon, you can make this banner completely for free.

Otherwise, you may need to buy fabric samples and ribbon at a little extra cost from Walmart or your favorite craft store.

Materials needed:

5 different patterned or solid fabrics with a red, white, and blue theme, about 1 yard each
72 inches of ribbon, red, white, or blue
Fabric scissors

Step-by-Step Instructions

Pick Your Fabric

Piles of red, white, and blue fabric strips on a white background.

STEP 1: The first step is to pick your fabric.

You’ll want a variety of colors and patterns to create the farmhouse rag look.

I used:

A light gray fabric with tiny white polka dots
A Fabric with white and red stripes
A solid red fabric
A white fabric with a blue and teal print for a pop of color
And a dark blue fabric with a subtle pattern

Tear Your Fabric Strips

Measuring tape next to a scrap of grey and white fabric.

A woman uses scissor to cut into a scrap of gray and white fabric.

STEP 2: Next, you’ll rip all of the fabric into 1 ½ – 2 inch strips.

Measure the width of the first strip so you can get an idea of the correct size. Mark the width by making a shallow cut into the fabric.

STEP 3: Continue down the entire length of the fabric, making cuts every 1 ½ – 2 inches. (After the first cut, you can eyeball the rest. It doesn’t have to be perfect.)

STEP 4: Then, you’ll rip down each cut to form long strips of fabric. Ripping the fabric gives the banner a frayed, vintage look.

Attach the Fabric to the Ribbon

A woman showing how to tie a scrap of fabric to a ribbon garland.

Once all of your fabric is cut into strips, you can begin attaching them to the ribbon.

STEP 5: Secure the ends of your ribbon to a banister, kitchen cabinets, or a table so it drapes like a banner.

STEP 6: Tie your first piece of fabric by folding it in half and bringing the looped center behind the ribbon.

Fold the the loop over the ribbon to create a hole to pull the two ends of the scrap fabric through.

Pull the ends of the fabric up through the hole to form a knot and pull tight. You can pull on the ribbon to create more tension to get the knot closed.

STEP 7: Continue tying the fabric scraps down the ribbon in a set pattern until all your scraps are used or you have your desired length.

I had several strips left over that I used for another project.

STEP 8: Style and enjoy!

The end of a patriotic rag garland tied to a cabinet door.

Close-up of an American flag garland made from fabric strips on a white background.

A DIY American flag banner on an entertainment center.

Secrets for Success

Here are some tips and tricks to make sure your American flag banner comes out perfectly!

Make sure your fabric has lots of variation.

Mix stripes, polka dots, and paisley patterns with solid prints for depth and movement.

You can also use summer prints like cherries or watermelon on a white background, and other themed and color-matching patterns that are similar to that.

Consider the “Grain” of the Fabric When Ripping

Like meat, the “grain” of the fabric refers to the direction of the fibers.

Lengthwise Grain (Warp): These threads run the entire length of the bolt, parallel to the finished edges (selvages). It is the strongest direction with almost no stretch.
Crosswise Grain (Weft): These threads run perpendicular to the selvages. They have a little more “give” or stretch than the lengthwise grain.

Pros and Cons of Each

Tearing With the Grain (Lengthwise): This produces a fine, “eyelash” fringe along the edges. Because these threads are the strongest in the fabric, your strips will be very stable and stiff, meaning they will hang perfectly straight on your banner without stretching out or sagging over time.
Tearing Against the Grain (Crosswise): This creates a thicker, “shabby chic” fray with chunkier threads. These strips have a natural slight stretch, which makes them much easier to pull into tight, secure knots when you’re tying them onto your twine or rope.

How to Determine the Grain

If you don’t have a finished edge to look at, you can use the stretch test:

Pull the fabric: The direction that barely moves is your lengthwise grain.
Pull the other way: The direction with a tiny bit of stretch is your crosswise grain.

I tore my strips lengthwise (with the grain) because it’s much easier to rip!

How to Make a Fabric Strip American Flag Banner

Materials Needed