1890 US Flag (74" x 108")

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Adam

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Aug 23, 1999
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Seattle
Just when the day seems nice and relaxed...

I have a customer with an 1890 43 star flag in various stages of decay but overall fairly solid shape. It is about 74" x 108" but she would like a fold ? some of the stripes and end up with a working size around 78" square.

My concerns are for the longevity of this flag. She seems determined to get it on the wall so here we are. I'm assuming my only options for backing are going to involve a splice. She would like a nice fabric wrap behind it but I have concerns of this directly contacting the fabric, etc. What kind of threads would be appropriate for stitching, etc.

Please hit me with your ideas or past experiences. This is one of those projects that you think you want until it stares you in the face. Where's my Ibuprofen...
 
Nah, Adam. I knew right from the beginning I didn't want that order.

More information would be helpful. What is the flag made of? Wool? Silk? How bad is the decay? Moths been at it? Silk shattered?

No splicing necessary. Build a stretcher frame the size you want the finished frame to be. Staple nylon screen over the frame. Add a layer of polyester quilt batting and cover with unbleached muslin (this is available up to 108" wide). Sew down the flag.

Before starting any of this: 1.make sure the finished project will fit out the door of your shop and 2. charge the customer at least twice what you estimate the job would cost.

Good luck.

Kit
 
Ahh, how I sympathise. If I were clever I could no doubt show the thread with the pics of the one I did just like that a few months ago. I charged $1500, should have charged more like $3000. For instance, I had to put a fillet in the frame so that a) there was something to hold in the plexi as it expanded and 2) I was able to use foamboard as the liner. I used unprimed linen (on account of I own an art supplies store) and used Stabiltex (pieced) to hold it in place on the linen. It looked good, but the customer died before he got to see it. His widow liked it though...
 
Great idea about the muslin stretch...I'll look into that.

As far as what it is made of...it is very light (probably fm wear) like silk but appear more linen like. It is in overall ok shape as far as it is still a rectangle etc. There are a couple rips but not bad. Most of the wear is in the form of thinned areas were it is fragile. The outer edges are thin and would be tough to hold a stitch. The side that would normally attach to a pole etc. has been doubled over with a thicker material and would be easy to stitch and hold most structural weight here if I could talk the customer into making that the top and let the rest mostly free hang or with minimal stitching. If she insists on it being horizontal there is not much to work with as far a stitching across the top...it is very thin and delicate there. Throughout the body of the flag, stripes seams, etc. there are plently of strong stitching points.

I'll have to keep the finished size to 84" tall to get out the door.
 
I did a quick rough estimate using a Picture Woods solid cherry frame, etc. and ending up pretty close to that $3000. The customer is aware that it will be a floating estimate depending on what materials end up being used.
 
Adam,
Do a little test... in an inconspicuous spot... dab a little distilled water ...[Husky Water will work]... and then smell the cloth. If it smells like "Wet Dawg" you used the wrong Husky Water... If it smells like "Wet Dog or sheep" it's wool.

Frank's has many neutral fabrics... but for that size, they will all require a sewn splice.

The raw muslin, you could probably get down around Lake Union near the Wood Boat people.

Other than that... follow Kits directions and lots of baby stitches with a like fabric... or cotton.
I might be up on a couple of weeks.. but that would probably be to late.

But I'd like to see the finished product.
 
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