Add some patriotic flare to your crafts designs with this Betsy Ross flag plaque loosely based upon the flag she crafted for the Continental Congress. It’s incredibly easy to make and the design is not copyrighted. Using just a wooden plaque, some acrylic paints and a star template, it’s inexpensive to make as well.
Background:The original was designed by seamstress Betsy Ross based upon a rough sketch provided her by the Continental Congress in 1776. One member of the Continental Congress was George Washington for whom Betsy Ross had done sewing in the past. Another, George Ross, was a relative of her late husband.
Purchase a wood plaque in a rectangular shape. Please note: The official aspect ratio for USA flags is 1:1.9. This project isn't meant to represent a USA flag, merely a patriotic decoration.
Divide the length of the plaque by 13 to figure out the width for each of the red and white stripes. With a pencil, lightly draw straight lines across the plaque, spacing the lines by your width measurement.
Next you need to sub-divide the plaque for your field of blue. Pencil in a square on the left side of the flag that extends to the middle of the plaque to the top of the fourth or fifth stripe from the bottom. This measurement will differ somewhat based upon the size of your wooden plaque.
Prime the wood plaque first if you like. Paint the alternating white strips, allow to dry and paint the red taking care to not extend the strips into the square you sub-divided off in step 2. You can use a straight-edge or blue painter's tape to make it easier to create a crisp line of color. Allow to dry.
Next, paint the blue field at the top left. Allow to completely dry.
Use a circle template or compass to trace a circle within the blue square. You'll use this circle as a guide for the placement of your stars.
Stencil 13 stars around the circle using the same general placement as shown in the image on this page with the white paint. You may need to have two or three coats of the white paint to complete cover the blue.
Allow to dry, touch up the paint where any pencil tracing are visible. Finish with a top coat of beeswax or varnish if you like.
- Wood Plaque
- Red, White and Blue Craft Paint
- Star Stencil in a Suitable Size for the Wood Plaque
- Ruler
- Circle Template or Compass
- Optional: Painter's Tape, Straight-Edge, Varnish or Beeswax
