Beautiful DIY Patriotic Ribbon Flag For Americana Decor

Have you ever saved a DIY idea because you loved it, only to wait too long before finally making your own version? That’s exactly what happened with this DIY patriotic ribbon flag.

My friend MaryJo from Masterpieces of My Life created a beautiful vintage ribbon flag a couple of years ago!

**Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. We appreciate your support. (disclosure policy)

As soon as I saw it, I immediately pinned it to remember it.

On a recent trip to Michaels, I spotted a bundle of patriotic ribbons and thought of her flag!

I knew it was finally time to create my own version.

While my flag was inspired by MaryJo’s design, I added my own twist by using different colored ribbons, repurposing fabric from an old Dollar Tree flag chair cover, and displaying it over a vintage frame.

A decorative white-framed display showcases a DIY Patriotic Ribbon Flag. It's hanging over a mantel with white finials and a wire basket filled with ribbon orbs.

The result is a unique piece of Americana decor that adds a fun, festive touch for the summer season.

Table of Contents

Gather Materials

Red, white, and blue craft ribbons, an American flag, and spools of patriotic ribbon are arranged on a white table.

To make this DIY patriotic ribbon flag, gather the following supplies:

Red, white, and blue ribbons- Michaels
Navy fabric with white stars for the canton section
7/16-inch wooden dowel rod
Two wooden beads
White chalk paint
Paintbrush
Cutting mat, rotary cutter, and lip-edge ruler (or sharp fabric scissors)
Heat-n-Bond tape
Iron
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
Silicone finger protectors
1/4-inch white organza ribbon for hanging

Steps to Prepare Your DIY Patriotic Ribbon Flag

Before assembling your DIY patriotic ribbon flag, you’ll want to gather your supplies and prepare each of the individual elements.

The best part about this project is that there are no strict rules.

Mix different ribbon patterns and textures, repurpose items you already have on hand, and create a one-of-a-kind Americana decoration that reflects your own style.

Choose Your Ribbon

A bundle of assorted red, white, and blue ribbons with stars, stripes, and pom-poms. Labeled “Trim Bundle” by Celebrate It, priced at $9.99 and contains 25 pieces.

Here is the beautiful bundle of red, white, and blue ribbons at Michaels.

They were on sale, so I purchased two bundles because I wasn’t sure if one would provide enough ribbon for the size I wanted to make.

Each bundle included 25 one-yard pieces, which I hoped would give me plenty of options to customize the design.

When I got home and started arranging the ribbons, it occurred to me that many of them included blue.

Since the stripes of a traditional American flag are red and white, I had to decide whether to return them and search for more traditional ribbon choices or embrace the mix of colors and make the flag my own.

I decided to step outside my comfort zone and keep the ribbons, and I’m so glad I did!

A colorful mix of patriotic ribbons and decorations in red, white, and blue, featuring stars, sequins, and pom-poms.

A few of the ribbons in the bundle, like the silver star ribbon, sequin trim, and a blue ribbon with large “USA” lettering, felt a little too bold for the look I was creating.

Instead, I left those out and mixed in a few red, white, and blue ribbons I already had at home.

Choose and Prep Material for the Canton Section

A wooden dining chair with an American flag draped over its back sits at a dining table. In the background is a mantel with a red, white, and blue ribbon garland and several small American flags.

When I searched through my patriotic decor box, I found a flag-shaped chair cover I had purchased from Dollar Tree several years ago and never used.

Since I planned to display my DIY patriotic ribbon flag above my mantel, I held the chair cover up to see if the size would work and decided the navy-and-white star section was the perfect fit.

A rotary cutter, clear ruler, and cutting mat are laid out with red, white, and blue star-spangled fabric pieces.

I carefully took the chair cover apart with a seam ripper and cut out the fabric for the canton section (the blue field of stars in the upper left corner of the American flag).

A piece of navy blue fabric with white stars, lies on a table beside a pair of gray scissors and a roll of double-sided tape.

To keep the fabric from unraveling, I used Heat-n-Bond tape to create a simple hem around the edges.

A rectangular piece of dark blue fabric with evenly spaced white stars and a solid dark border, laid flat on a light-colored surface.

No sewing machine or sewing skills were required—just follow the instructions and iron the tape on!

Prepare a dowel rod

A bottle of Waverly white chalk paint sits on green foam, with a painted dowel and two beads drying upright. White storage cabinets and butterfly wall decor add charm to the background.

To create the hanger for my DIY patriotic ribbon flag, I started with a 7/16-inch x 17-inch wooden dowel rod and two wooden beads.

I painted both the dowel rod and the beads with Waverly white chalk paint, applying two coats for full coverage.

A little tip: I love using a piece of styrofoam and wooden skewers to hold small pieces of wood while painting. I placed the wooden beads on skewers and inserted them into the styrofoam block to keep them upright. For the dowel rod, I inserted one end into a hole in the center of the styrofoam and painted the exposed portion, leaving the tip inside the styrofoam unpainted. Once it dried, I turned the dowel over, inserted the painted end into the styrofoam, and painted the remaining section.

Steps to Assemble your DIY Ribbon Flag

Close-up of various decorative ribbons in red, white, and blue—featuring stripes, stars, and dotted patterns that evoke an American theme.

Now that your ribbons, canton section, and dowel rod are ready, it’s time to assemble your DIY patriotic ribbon flag.

This is where your creativity can shine!

Arrange the ribbons in a way that feels balanced to you, mix different textures and patterns, and don’t be afraid to make the design your own.

Attach Ribbons

A close-up of ribbons tied on to a white dowel rod. On the left, a white trim with pom-poms is also visible.

Open your ribbons and lay them out on a table, arranging the colors, patterns, and textures until you are happy with the overall design.

My ribbon bundles included pom-pom trim, so I placed one piece on each side of the flag to create a fun border.

Originally, I planned to hot-glue the ribbons to the dowel rod, but after seeing how long they were, I decided tying them on would be faster and add a charming, handmade look.

Simply tie each ribbon onto the dowel rod and continue adjusting the placement as you go.

Once all of the ribbons were attached, I noticed there was more space between them than I liked.

So, I scooted the ribbons closer together and trimmed 3 inches off the dowel rod, changing the final length from 17 inches to 14 inches.

Adhere the Canton Section

A hand with green finger protectors presses navy blue fabric with white stars, onto a ribbon flag.

Now it’s time to add the canton section to transform the ribbons into a flag.

Position the navy-and-white star fabric in the upper left corner and use hot glue to secure it to the ribbons.

One detail I especially loved about MaryJo’s ribbon flag was the tassel trim along the top.

Since my ribbon bundles included pom-pom trim, I used it instead.

I carefully hot-glued it across the top edge of the canton section and over the knots of the ribbons.

Safety Note: Hot glue guns can cause burns, so use caution when working with them. We recommend using silicone protectors to help protect your fingers.

Prepare the Flag for Hanging

A bottle of Gorilla wood glue sits on a table next to a partially visible American flag-themed fabric with pom-pom trim, perfect for your DIY Patriotic Ribbon Flag project. Filing cabinets and shelves appear in the blurred background.

To keep the ribbons from sliding off the ends of the dowel rod, I used wood glue to attach a painted wooden bead to each end.

Allow the glue to dry completely before moving the flag.

I like this detail because it gives the rod a more finished look!

A close-up of a DIY Patriotic Ribbon Flag shows dark blue fabric with white stars, adorned with red, white, and blue ribbon strips and pom-poms, plus a spool of ribbon on a light-colored surface.

Next, cut a piece of 1/4-inch white organza ribbon to the desired hanger length and tie each end securely around the dowel rod, just inside the wooden beads.

I like how the sheer white ribbon blends beautifully with the design and almost disappears when you hang your flag.

Determine the Ribbon Length

Once the hanger was attached, it was time to decide on the final ribbon length.

I hung my DIY patriotic ribbon flag to see where the ribbons would fall.

Originally, I planned to display it on a mirror, but after trying it, I realized it wasn’t the right fit for my space.

A decorative DIY Patriotic Ribbon Flag features an American flag section with stars and long red, white, and blue ribbons, displayed on a white ornate frame against a light-colored wall.

I looked around my home for another option and decided to try hanging the flag over a vintage frame.

I loved how the frame added an extra layer of charm, making the ribbon flag feel like a unique piece of Americana decor.

Red, white, and blue ribbons with stars, stripes, and checks hang in a row against a decorative white carved surface, perfect for crafting a DIY Patriotic Ribbon Flag that captures the spirit of Americana.

The intricate trim along the bottom of the frame gave me the perfect guide for trimming the ribbons.

Using sharp fabric scissors, I cut each ribbon so that it ended just above the decorative trim.

A Unique Way to Display a DIY Patriotic Ribbon Flag

A framed DIY Patriotic Ribbon Flag features a blue field with white stars and red, white, and blue ribbons hanging vertically as stripes, all set against a white ornate frame on a light-colored wall.

I’m so thrilled with how this DIY patriotic ribbon flag turned out, and I think it looks even more special hanging on the frame!

However, if you don’t have a frame that will work, it will look beautiful hanging on a mirror, front door, or wall!

A decorative white-framed mirror displays a DIY Patriotic Ribbon Flag with hanging red, white, and blue ribbons. On the mantel are white statue finials, a milk glass dish and a wire basket with fabric orbs.

I think it adds a touch of charm to our summer mantel and coordinates beautifully with the DIY fabric orbs I made.

I was so excited to hang it above the adorable DIY ribbon and flag garland I created, but when I stepped back to take it all in, I noticed something was off…

A white mantel decorated with American flags, red, white, and blue ribbons, and patriotic garlands. Milk glass vases and decorative finials sit on the mantel, with a framed DIY Patriotic Ribbon Flag display above.

Do you see what I see?

It’s the placement of the star canton section.

I followed MaryJo’s original design (and most other ribbon flags I saw on Pinterest) and placed the stars on the upper left side.

However, once I displayed it on my mantel next to my DIY patriotic garland, I realized the stars on the garland are on the opposite side.

If you know me, you know I love for everything to coordinate, so it has been a little hard for me to let that go!

By the time I noticed, the star fabric was already hot-glued in place, and I didn’t want to risk damaging the ribbons or the fabric by pulling it apart.

So, I decided to leave it as is.

Would you have even noticed that detail if I had not mentioned it?

What side would you put yours on?

Be sure to let me know in the comments below!