This project not only covers creativity and patriotism but if you let the kids help out you will be building fine motor skills, hand eye coordination, and including an art lesson. While it seems complicated, if you follow the template you will have a beautiful piece to show your American pride! Have fun making your patriotic string art craft!
Patriotic String Art Craft
Materials:
Wood Board
-mine is an old pallet and measures about 5.5″ x 11″
Embroidery floss in red, white and blue
Tack Hammer
Wire Nails
-I use 3/4″ to 7/8″ nails with a larger head on them. I picked up a 2 ounce package at Walmart for a buck!
Black Acrylic Paint or a Sharpie
-The paint I used was Apple Barrel Noir (black) color
Pattern, printed on 8.5 x 11 paper (or larger if you’d like to make modifications) Click to download
or
Sanding Block (if necessary to smooth your board)
Please Note:
I started with a different pattern (as shown) and realized it was virtually impossible to create because my lines were too close together. Therefore I modified the pattern as I went and changed the pattern to match the finished piece (actually the lines are farther apart on the pattern because it’s way too hard to get your fingers in there to add nails!)
Process:
Begin with your wood (sanding it if necessary, or even painting it to match your tastes!) on a flat surface and center your pattern. Tape to the board if necessary. Drive a few nails into your board to hold the pattern.
Begin by pounding your nails into the board following the pattern. I start at the top or left and move right. Place the nails about 1/2″ apart and drive them about 1/3 of the way into the wood. When finished, pound every nail down, checking to see if it’s pretty even. Now WASH YOUR HANDS! Depending on the nails you got, they will most likely be filthy.
Remove the pattern by lifting UP and AWAY from the wood and then tear apart/off. Remove any specks of paper with tweezers.
Now you’re ready to string your board. Unwrap and unwind a few feet (say three) of embroidery floss. Do not separate the strands. You will use all six strands. Tie the string around a nail with a double knot. I usually start around the top or left side. Begin to zig zag the string across the nails, back and forth, up and down, all around. There’s no wrong way. Add as much or as little string as you’d like. Your grip will slip and your string will unravel at some point, so every fifth nail or so, wrap the string all the way around the nail head and pull tight.
Once you are happy with your stringing, return to the area you started. Now you need to begin your border. You’ll start with the inside or the outside border, it doesn’t matter. Wrap the string around a nail head and carry it to the next nail head, wrap it around that nail head and continue to the next and so-on. Once you return to your starting point, reverse direction and do the outside (or inside) of the outline. When finished, tie the strings together in a double knot.
When outlining the star, i suggest doing the star first and then the outer circle. That way your string will end on the outside where you started.
Trim the ends of the string.
Paint USA on your board with black acrylic paint or use a sharpie!
For more July 4th & Patriotic ideas, check out a few posts from my favorite bloggers:
- Patriotic Mini Berry Tarts by Confessions of an Overworked Mom
- Patriotic DIY Candy Dish by A Mom’s Take
- How to Host a 4th of July Parade by Mom on the Side
- Patriotic Pudding Cups by Better in Bulk
- Perfect Southern Sweet Tea by Greta’s Day
- DIY Beaded Flag Charm Craft for Kids by Cait’s Beauty Blog
- Patriotic Red, White and Blue Mason Jar Planters by Home and Garden Cafe
- Cherry Vanilla Cupcakes by Our Family World
- Crockpot Bean Mix by Day by Day in Our World
- Treats for your 4th of July Cookout by Momma D Jane
- Patriotic Wine Glass Charms by Style on Main
- Greek Pasta Salad, a simple summer side by About a Mom
- Beet and Blueberry Salad by Upstate Ramblings
- Patriotic Ice Cream Sandwiches by Mom Does it All
LauraOinAK says
This would be SO much fun to do with the kids.
OURFAMILYWORLD says
What a beautiul piece of art
Nicole Dziedzic says
I love string art, i have seen some beautiful pieces before, and i love this patriotic one! Never tried making one myself though. Doesn’t seem that hard at all either.
Tammy Woodall says
You did a fantastic job on this – it’s perfect for the 4th of July. My nephew would like this DIY craft.
Janet W. says
That turned out great! This would be great to hang outside on our porch area for our guests to see on the 4th!
David Fultner says
This is so awesome. The kids will have a great time.
shelly peterson says
This is really cute and looks fun to make. My son would enjoy doing this.
Betsy Barnes says
This is so cute! I remember doing string art in school, it really was relaxing. 🙂
D Johnson says
This is so cute and it looks like it’s fun to make. My niece would enjoy making this. She’s very crafty.
Julie Wood says
I love this Patriotic String art craft and it looks amazing and I would love to make this with my nephew and niece, and have it put up over the 4th of July weekend. Thanks for the idea!
Ellen Christian says
My Dad used to do string art. He has this huge boat he made. I should definitely try this.