Tie Dye American Flag

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• 2 1/2yds white 100% cotton fabric
• Red Rit Dye_x000B_Indigo Rit Dye_x000B_2Tbs of dish detergent _x000B_2 cups of salt
• Metal tongs
• Large bowl_x000B_50 rubber bands
• 100 clothespins
• Rubber gloves
• Straight pins
• Plastic table cover
• Scissors
• Sewing machine_x000B_Iron/ironing board_x000B_White cotton thread_x000B_Crib-size cotton batting
• 2 grommets (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Pre-wash and dry fabric. Cut nine lengths of fabric that measure 3 1/4"x 36 1/2" for the short stripes. Cut seven lengths of fabric that measure 3 1/4"x 61" for the long stripes. Cut one piece of fabric that measures 24 1/2"x 19 3/4" for the section with stars.
2. Cut one whole length that measures 37"x 61" for the backing.
3. Set aside three long strips of fabric and three short strips of fabric to stay undyed.
4. Bind two of the long and short strips lengthwise and in an accordion fold with rubber bands. Fold one long and one short widthwise in an accordion fold and place three or four clothespins on each fold.
5. Fold 19 3/4"x 24 1/2" widthwise in two inch accordion folds. Attach five evenly spaced clothespins along the first fold. This will be the top. Attach four evenly spaced clothespins along the fold on the opposite side so that they are staggered in between the clothespins on the other side. This will make the star pattern. Each fold on the top should have five clothespins that are evenly spaced and lined up. Each fold on the bottom should have four clothespins that are evenly spaced and lined up. The clothespins should be pinned close to the fold.
6. Prepare dye by protecting your work surface near the stove top with a plastic table cover or something similar.
7. Soak fibers to be dyed in a clean sink or large bowl of water to open up the fibers.
8. Fill a large stock pot with enough water for fabric to move around freely. Heat on high heat. Add red dye when water begins to simmer and then turn heat down to medium heat. Add one cup of salt and 1Tbs of liquid dish detergent and mix well.
9. Add folded cotton strips to dye bath and stir regularly for 10 minutes for even dye coverage. Add one unfolded short strip for only five minutes for a lighter dyed strip. Leave in for up to one hour until you reach a desired color for a darker strip. Fabric will be darker when wet so keep that in mind.
10. Rinse with warm water and then cool water until dye runs clear. Remove rubber bands. Let air dry.
11. Wash stock pot thoroughly and then repeat with indigo dye and bundled star fabric. Be sure not to agitate or remove clothespins while stirring. Leave in dye for one hour on medium/high heat.
12. Rinse with warm water and then cool water until dye runs clear. Remove clothespins. Let air dry.
13. Iron all dyed strips. Place the star fabric and white stripes in their appropriate spots. Arrange red dyed stripes to your preference. If you prefer pieced stripes, cut and piece different patterns of dyed stripes together.
14. Once pieced stripes are in place, stitch seven short stripes together lengthwise. Red stripes on the outside and white stripes in between with a 1/4" seam allowance.
15. Stitch the short side of this section to the short side of the dyed star section; press.
16. Stitch six long stripes together, starting with one long white stripe and ending with one long red stripe; press.
17. Stitch this section to the bottom of the star and stripe piece so that the stars are on the top left side of the flag; press.
18. Quilt Flag
19. Place flag top on white cotton backing with right sides facing. Place these on top of cotton batting and pin. Stitch around the perimeter with 1/4" seam allowance, leaving a 5" gap.
20. Trim excess edges and clip corners. Turn right side out. Press.
21. Repin and top stitch along edges. Stitch along stripe lines and along the edge of the star section. Trim ends.
22. To hang on a wall, add grommets to top left and bottom left corners.