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.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2016/2/27/0/original_BPF-maritime-flag-pillow-beauty-horiz.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1456593165214.jpeg)
© Rustic White Photography, LLC
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).
![Step 1- Cut Outdoor Fabric](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2016/2/27/0/original_BPF-maritime-flag-pillow-Step1a.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1456593173234.jpeg)
Tomas Espinoza
![Step 1- Cut Outdoor Fabric](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2016/2/27/0/original_BPF-maritime-flag-pillow-Step1b.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1456593171255.jpeg)
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](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2016/2/27/0/original_BPF-maritime-flag-pillow-Step2a.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1456593167874.jpeg)
Tomas Espinoza
![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](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2016/2/27/0/original_BPF-maritime-flag-pillow-Step2b.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1456593171373.jpeg)
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.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2016/2/27/0/original_BPF-maritime-flag-pillow-Step3a.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1456593171156.jpeg)
Tomas Espinoza
![Fold, then iron a hem to the flap edge on the flag. Sew it in place, using a straight stitch.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2016/2/27/0/original_BPF-maritime-flag-pillow-Step3b.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1456593189869.jpeg)
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.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2016/2/27/0/original_BPF-maritime-flag-pillow-Step4a.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1456593173648.jpeg)
Tomas Espinoza
![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.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2016/2/27/0/original_BPF-maritime-flag-pillow-Step4b.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1456593175220.jpeg)
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.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2016/2/27/0/original_BPF-maritime-flag-pillow-Step5.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1456593202718.jpeg)
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](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2016/2/27/0/original_BPF-maritime-flag-pillow-Step6a.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1456593179152.jpeg)
Tomas Espinoza
![Leaving a 1-inch inseam, sew the three raw edges together. Trim excess material, then turn the pillow case inside out and iron](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2016/2/27/0/original_BPF-maritime-flag-pillow-Step6b.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1456593175704.jpeg)
Tomas Espinoza
![Leaving a 1-inch inseam, sew the three raw edges together. Trim excess material, then turn the pillow case inside out and iron](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2016/2/27/0/original_BPF-maritime-flag-pillow-Step6c.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1456593179114.jpeg)
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.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2016/2/27/0/original_BPF-maritime-flag-pillow-Step7.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1456593177941.jpeg)
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.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2016/2/27/0/original_BPF-maritime-flag-pillow-Step8.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1456593180822.jpeg)
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.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2016/2/27/0/original_BPF-maritime-flag-pillow-Step9.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1456593182552.jpeg)
Tomas Espinoza
![](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2016/2/27/0/original_BPF-maritime-flag-pillow-beauty-on-bed.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1456593171136.jpeg)
© Rustic White Photography, LLC