While the 13 stripes and 50 stars will always unite us, here is a craft that salutes our country with a fresh take on a vintage look.   You can relax while crafting your wind sock because painted burlap doesn’t require perfection.

Materials:

• Tape measure
• Scissors
• Hot glue gun
• 6” embroidery hoop
• Red, White, Blue Acrylic Paint
• 3 Paint Brushes
• 18” Piece of Ribbon
• 1 yard burlap fabric
• Star-shaped foam stickers

STEPS:

Step 1, Fabric Sections

Cut burlap into two sections, one for the blue stars (12” x 21”), and one for the stripes (24” x 24”)

 

Step 2, Stripes

Cut the stripe section into two 12” x 24” sections.  Paint one section red.  When that section is dry, turn over and paint a light coat of red.

 

With the non-painted stripe section, cut into four, 2.5” x 24” strips.  Once the red section is completely dry, repeat cutting into four, 2.5” x  24” red strips.

Step 3, Stars

Take the remaining stars panel and place foam stickers in a pattern. (Or hand paint stars after painted blue.)

Paint burlap blue.  Work paint around the star sticker, then, continue painting the entire section of burlap.  Once paint dries, remove stickers, and use a bristled paint brush and white acrylic paint to fill in stars.

 

 

 

Step 4, Assemble

Turn the blue star panel over, and alternate the 2.5” red with natural burlap strips on the bottom edge.  (More densely painted side facing down.)  Use a hot glue gun to secure the strips to the star panel.

Hot glue the outer perimeter of the embroidery hoop, and stand on blue burlap 1.5” from the top.  Slowly add glue and roll until completely adhered to hoop.  Glue the length of the overlapped blue edge down.

  

Apply hot glue to the inner perimeter of the hoop and wrap burlap edge inward, covering the hoop.

Add a ribbon by gluing each end to the interior of the hoop, creating a handle.

 

Hang your wind sock and be proud of your accomplishment and of the USA!

 

 

** I’m very excited that this craft is published in the July 2014 of Charlottesville Family Magazine.  Link to follow when live.

With the Kids…

I’ve got a great version for the kids that I will post next up!