How to Turn a Maritime Flag Into a Beachy-Chic Pillow

These easy-to-sew DIY throw pillows are a splashy way to add a little nautical style to any outdoor space.

DIY Maritime Flag Pillow

We love the bold graphic look of vintage maritime flags! These simple straight stitch DIY throw pillows are a splashy way to add a little nautical style to any space.

Photo by: Â© Rustic White Photography, LLC

Â© Rustic White Photography, LLC

By: Brian Patrick Flynn

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Materials Needed

24” x 24” outdoor-rated pillow insert
rectangular maritime signal flag
outdoor fabric in coordinating color (for pillow back)
sewing machine
needle and thread
iron

hook-and-loop tape (Velcro)
scissors
tape measure
pen
fabric glue
buttons

Cut Outdoor Fabric

Place the fabric face down on your work surface. Measure and mark your fabric 27" across to accommodate the 24" pillow insert; the extra 3" allows for an 1-1/2" inseam on each side of the insert (Images 1 and 2). Cut out.

Cut Flag

Lay the flag face down on your work surface (Image 1). Being sure to center the flag's design, measure and mark the fabric at 27" and at 33" — this additional 6" on one side will be used to create a flap for the pillow. The flap will make it easy to remove the insert before laundering the pillow cover. Cut the flag to the proper dimensions (Image 2).

Tomas Espinoza

DIY Maritime Flag Pillow

Step 1- Cut Outdoor Fabric

Photo By: Tomas Espinoza

DIY Maritime Flag Pillow

Step 1- Cut Outdoor Fabric

Photo By: Tomas Espinoza

Hem Flag Edge

Fold, then iron a hem to the flag's flap edge (Image 1). Sew it in place, using a straight stitch (Image 2).

Lay the vintage flag on a work surface, making sure to center up the flag’s design, then leave an additional 6 inches on one side-this will be the pocket/flap for the pillow. The flap will make it easy to take the insert out, to launder the pillow cover. Cut the flag to the proper dimensions with the scissors

Tomas Espinoza

DIY Maritime Flag Pillow

Lay the vintage flag on a work surface, making sure to center up the flag’s design, then leave an additional 6 inches on one side-this will be the pocket/flap for the pillow. The flap will make it easy to take the insert out, to launder the pillow cover. Cut the flag to the proper dimensions with the scissors

Photo By: Tomas Espinoza

DIY Maritime Flag Pillow

Photo By: Tomas Espinoza

Hem Outdoor Fabric Edge

Next, fold and iron a hem on the outdoor fabric which will be the pillow cover's backside (Image 1). Using a straight stitch, hem the coordinating edges (Image 2).

Fold, then iron a hem to the flap edge on the flag. Sew it in place, using a straight stitch.

Tomas Espinoza

DIY Maritime Flag Pillow

Fold, then iron a hem to the flap edge on the flag. Sew it in place, using a straight stitch.

Photo By: Tomas Espinoza

DIY Maritime Flag Pillow

Fold, then iron a hem to the flap edge on the flag. Sew it in place, using a straight stitch.

Photo By: Tomas Espinoza

Pin Together

Once hemmed, place the two pieces of fabric together. Align the flag and the backing fabric, facing together and pin in place.

Next, fold and iron a hem on the outdoor fabric which is the back of the pillow cover. Then using a straight stitch, hem the coordinating edges.

Tomas Espinoza

DIY Maritime Flag Pillow

Next, fold and iron a hem on the outdoor fabric which is the back of the pillow cover. Then using a straight stitch, hem the coordinating edges.

Photo By: Tomas Espinoza

DIY Maritime Flag Pillow

Next, fold and iron a hem on the outdoor fabric which is the back of the pillow cover. Then using a straight stitch, hem the coordinating edges.

Photo By: Tomas Espinoza

Sew Together

Leaving a 1" inseam, sew the three raw edges together (Image 1). Trim excess material (Image 2), then turn the pillow case inside out and iron (Image 3).

DIY Maritime Flag Pillow

Step 5- Pin Together Once hemmed, place the two pieces of fabric together. Align the flag and the backing fabric, facing together so that the hemmed edges are lined up. Pin in place.

Photo by: Tomas Espinoza

Tomas Espinoza

Contour Flap Edges

Fold the edges of the pillow flap inward about an inch and secure with a bead of fabric glue. Press down for a few seconds, then release.

Leaving a 1-inch inseam, sew the three raw edges together. Trim excess material, then turn the pillow case inside out and iron

Tomas Espinoza

DIY Maritime Flag Pillow

Leaving a 1-inch inseam, sew the three raw edges together. Trim excess material, then turn the pillow case inside out and iron

Photo By: Tomas Espinoza

DIY Maritime Flag Pillow

Leaving a 1-inch inseam, sew the three raw edges together. Trim excess material, then turn the pillow case inside out and iron

Photo By: Tomas Espinoza

DIY Maritime Flag Pillow

Leaving a 1-inch inseam, sew the three raw edges together. Trim excess material, then turn the pillow case inside out and iron

Photo By: Tomas Espinoza

Add Velcro

Position the hook-and-loop tape every 5 to 6 inches to ensure that the pillow cover will stay in place when the flap is closed.

DIY Maritime Flag Pillow

Fold the edges of the pillow flap inward about an inch and secure with a bead of fabric glue. Press down for a few seconds, then release.

Photo by: Tomas Espinoza

Tomas Espinoza

Add Buttons

Using a needle and white thread, stitch a few buttons onto the flap for a little extra decorative flair.

DIY Maritime Flag Pillow

Position the hook and loop tape every 5 or 6 inches, so that the pillow cover will stay in place when the flap is closed.

Photo by: Tomas Espinoza

Tomas Espinoza

Using a needle and white thread, secure a few buttons to the flap for a little extra decorative flair, but this is totally optional. Space them equally along the flap.

Tomas Espinoza

DIY Maritime Flag Pillow

Using a needle and white thread, secure a few buttons to the flap for a little extra decorative flair, but this is totally optional. Space them equally along the flap.

Photo By: Tomas Espinoza

DIY Maritime Flag Pillow

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How to Turn a Maritime Flag Into a Beachy-Chic Pillow

DIY Maritime Flag Pillow

Related To:

Cut Outdoor Fabric

Cut Flag

DIY Maritime Flag Pillow

DIY Maritime Flag Pillow

Hem Flag Edge

DIY Maritime Flag Pillow

DIY Maritime Flag Pillow

Hem Outdoor Fabric Edge

DIY Maritime Flag Pillow

DIY Maritime Flag Pillow

Pin Together

DIY Maritime Flag Pillow

DIY Maritime Flag Pillow

Sew Together

DIY Maritime Flag Pillow

Contour Flap Edges

DIY Maritime Flag Pillow

DIY Maritime Flag Pillow

DIY Maritime Flag Pillow

Add Velcro

DIY Maritime Flag Pillow

Add Buttons

DIY Maritime Flag Pillow

DIY Maritime Flag Pillow

DIY Maritime Flag Pillow

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