CherylR

I'm looking for a quilt pattern of the American Flag that will fit on a twin size bed. Does anyone have anything like this? I want to make the flag as close as possible to the original. Should I go with a cotton front and back or maybe batiks? I'm a "confident beginner" but I'm not sure how to approach this. I've searched and searched online but still haven't found what I'm looking for. If I decide to design it myself, what length and width should the strips be and how long and wide should the area being with the the stars on it? I'm using the a "59X85" size quilt. I don't want to applique 50 individual stars - probably just 5 largers stars. Also, should my batting be 100% cotton or a cotton/polyester blend, since it will be washed often? Does anyone know of any online stores that sell this pattern? I have scanned many, many quilting shop webites and haven't found what I'm really looking for. Thanks for any help anyone can give me. Also, does anyone have any recommendations or suggestions when making this type of quilt?
Thanks so much,
Cheryl R

Sadiemae

Did you check ebay?

luvTooQuilt

Whew, that was a mouthful... Take a deep breath.. Now breath...

the wonderful thing about quilting is you can be as creative & as kwirky as you want it to be.. just get out a notebook and start sketching.. Sketch out the design and dont forget to add the 1/4 in, it will come to you... As for batting, its your own preference but I hear the poly batting holds up better that cotton if it finds itself in the wash alot...

ktbb

by regulation, we are not to use the flag in clothing or in anything that will be treated with disrespect...quilts qualify as a no-no since they are slept on, thrown on the floor occasionally, thrown in the wash, etc. You're better off making up a design using red, white and blue with a few stars and some stripes instead of trying to make an exact copy.

Quiltforme

Make the quilt as you see fit. You are making a quilt. I have made several quilts with the flag on one side and patriotic material on the other. These are given to military men/women who love them and cherish them. One was given to a fire fighter and he hangs it in his home for all to see it was a gift for his family on the one year anniversary of his son's death.

gaigai

While it is true that you can do what you want, the flag is more than fabric and thread, it is a symbol to many. There are rules for it's use. The are listed here:

http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagcode.htm

One of them states that the flag should not be used as bedding. If you believe that the flag is only fabric and thread, you can do anything you want with it, including burning it in protest. If you believe it is more than that, that it is a symbol, then the guidelines are there for you.

Perhaps the firefighter who has the flag quilt on the wall feels that is is more than bedding and should only be displayed, as regulations state. If you would like your quilt to be used, perhaps you can incorporate the colors and stars without it being a true replica. That would be much more respectful.

ckcowl

also, often people make the mistake of making flag quilts to send to our service members...they NEVER use these quilts; they may thank you, and like it, but they NEVER use them...it is against every fiber of their training. if they are lucky enough to have some wall space they may hang the quilt but usually they are either folded up carefully and packed away, or just sent home. so if your intension is to make a service person a quilt for comfort the worst thing you can do is make it a 'patriotic flag one"
people seem to forget the rules of displaying/using our flag; and to put lots of love and work into a project to send it off and have the recipient groan in dismay.......

CherylR

Thanks to everyone for your replies. I am aware of the rules for the flag and my intention was never to disrespect it in anyway - my husband retired from the Navy after 26 years and I've always honored our flag. I want to go by the basics of the flag and change it in some way. I was more interested in the measurements of stripes area compared to the stars area. Sorry for the lack of communication.
CherylR

wesing

Cheryl -

Take a look at this website:

http://www.usflag.org/uscode36.html#bob

It has the info you are looking for. I know I had a website on my old computer where the information was organized better, but that one crashed and I don't remember the site. I know there are specifications about the diameter of the stars, the size of the field, etc. Hope this helps.

Darren

tooMuchFabric

Make the quilt and enjoy it.
I doubt you are making a 100% detailed accurate precision replica of Old Glory, down to the regulation size of stars and what not.
You've already said you are making an adaptation of the Spirit of the quilt, not a Flag, and that you want fewer than 50 stars, and that you want it to fit a Twin bed, which is not Regulation Old Glory.
I have made just such a quilt myself, and the kid who used it is now grown, still has it and loves it and has it hanging on a wall.
Lots of folk art people make representations of the Flag in prim and not-so-prim styles.
Make the quilt and enjoy it.
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