SBSS Guidon:  Materials List and Instructions

 

Overall Finished Flag Dimensions:  Does not include pole sleeve.

 

A to B and D to C:  18” overall height

A to D and B to C:  24” total length

E to F:  18” length at midpoint notch

D to F and C to F: 11”

A to E: 9” (Black half)

E to B: 9” (Yellow half)

 

Note: dimensions are finished size; seam allowance must be added for the rolled hem edge.

                     

 

   

Materials

For the flag body:

1/2 yard black cotton fabric for top of flag and letters*

1/3 yard yellow cotton fabric for bottom of flag and number*

¼ yard white or natural colored canvas for the pole sleeve.

1 small spool of matching yellow sewing machine thread.

1 small spool of matching black sewing machine thread.

1 small spool of white sewing machine thread.

 

*A smooth dense fabric with a high thread count, such as percale, poplin or twill, is recommended to prevent the letters from showing through when the flag is flown.   The fabric should not have a right and wrong side since the flag body is a single thickness of fabric and appliqués will be attached to both sides.  A heavy or stiff fabric will require a stronger wind to “fly” the flag.   (The Nell Fenwick flag body has the weight of a good quality bed sheet.)

 

 

For appliquéd letters and Stealth bullet logo:

¼ yard sky blue cotton for Stealthy’s scarf *

¼ yard light gray twill for Stealthy’s body*

*A 9 inch x 12 inch scrap of fabric will suffice, but most fabric stores will not cut less than ¼ yard.

½ yard of medium to heavy weight iron-on interfacing

1 skein of black embroidery floss

1 skein of white or cream embroidery floss

1 skein of light green embroidery floss

1 small spool blue machine sewing thread to match blue fabric.

1 small spool gray machine sewing thread to match gray fabric.

 

Tools:

Tracing paper                                       Marking pencil or tailors chalk

Yardstick or straightedge                      Tape measure

Embroidery hoop                                  Thimble

Embroidery needle                                Ordinary hand sewing needle

 

The “Nell Fenwick” and guidon for Troop Darkside are hand appliquéd onto a single layer of fabric so they fly well in light breezes.  The letters and numbers are a single layer sewn onto the flag body.  Stealthy is made up of two pieces -- the gray bullet body with embroidered eyes and the scarf. 

 

The following instructions describe this approach.  However, other construction methods are possible.  For instance the Stealthy’s eyes could be painted on with fabric paint.  The flag body could be made of two layers, allowing the seamstress to machine stitch the appliqués in place, although the heavier flag may not fly as well in light breezes.  Experimentation is recommended and may produce excellent results. 

 

 

Assembly

It is recommended that you wash and press all fabric before cutting to eliminate any possibility of shrinkage. 

 

 

Step 1: Cut out and assemble the flag body.

 

·        Using a pencil or tailor’s chalk and the dimensions shown in the drawing below, layout the flag body on the fabric.  Dimensions include a 5/8th-inch seam allowance on all sides.  Double check to make sure that the grain of the fabric is parallel to the long edge of the flag and the top and bottom edges are parallel before cutting.  The swallowtail is a 45-degree angle.

 

Insert dimension drawing of the flag (Available on the web site)

 

·        Cut one yellow and one black flag body.

 

·        Hem the diagonal edges first.  This will make it easier to neatly finish the center of the “v” when the flag is assembled.

To hem, fold the edge of the fabric over ¼ inch and press with a steam iron to make a crisp clean edge.  Fold over a second time (3/8 inch) so that the cut edge of the fabric is hidden and press again. 

 

·        Because the diagonal edge is cut on the bias it will easily stretch out of shape.  Be careful not to pull the fabric as you work or the edge will lengthen and ripple, refusing to lie flat even after it is sewn in place.

 

·        Using matching thread in your sewing machine, stitch hem in place.  Run the seam line along the inside edge of the fold.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


·        Hem the long edge of the flag turning under first ¼ inch and then 3/8 inch and stitching along the edge as described above.  Trim as needed to turn the raw edge under neatly at the point.  Make sure you leave enough fabric to be caught in the seam.

 

·        Machine sew the two halves of the flag together (choose either black or yellow thread), attaching the short sides of the flag bodies to each other.   Press the seam open so that the yellow seam allowance lies on top of the yellow half of the flag and the black seam allowance lies on top of the black half of the flag.

 

·        Fold the raw edges of the fabric under and press.  Machine stitch along the folded edge with matching thread.  You will now have a hem on each side of the center seam and all of the raw edges will be hidden.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


·        The flag body is now assembled.  The black half is the top of the flag and the yellow half is the bottom of the flag.  Machine stitch along the remaining raw edge of the flag to prevent raveling.

 

 

Step 2: Embroider “Little Stealthy’s” eyes.

 

·        Cut 2 bodies out of interfacing.  Trim away the seam allowance and iron them onto the BACK of a piece of gray fabric large enough to fit generously in your embroidery hoop.

 

·        Be sure to leave at least ½ inch of space between the two pieces of interfacing so that there will be enough fabric for seam allowance when you cut out the completed body pieces.

 

·        The piece of gray fabric should be at least 2 inches larger that the embroidery hoop so that you can move the hoop around as needed to comfortably reach all of the edges of “Little Stealthy’s” face.

 

·        Using gray thread, and working from the back, machine stitch carefully around the outside of the interfacing.  This line of stitching will serve as a guide for all of the applique’ work and should be as smooth and even as possible.  Press.

 

·        On the right side of the fabric line up the pattern up over the stitching lines and trace “Little Stealthy’s” features onto the gray.   Check you alignment carefully before you draw.

 

·        Clamp the fabric in the embroidery hoop.  Using three strands of embroidery floss, fill in the eyes using satin stitch as shown below.  The pupil is black, the iris is green, and the rest of the eye is cream. 

 

 

 

Satin Stitch Instructions

 

 

 


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Place the stitches next to each other so that they cover the background fabric.

Small parallel stitches give a neater appearance.
 
 

 


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·        Using three strands of black embroidery floss stitch around the outline of the drawing.  This accents the features and covers up any slight irregularity around the edges of your previous embroidery work.  Running stitch works best for outline work.  A short stitch will look neater and make smoother curves.

 

Instructions for Running Stitch.

 

 


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The result is a series of overlapping stitches that form a solid line.
 
 


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Step 3: Cut out “Little Stealthy’s” scarf.

 

·        Cut 1 right-hand scarf and 1 left-hand scarf from the light blue fabric and one each from the interfacing.  Remember to leave ¼ inch seam allowance!  Do not trace the detail lines onto the scarf pieces at this time – see the last bullet under Step 4 below for explanation.

 

·        Trim the ¼ inch seam allowance off the interfacing and iron them onto the BACK of the fabric pieces.  Make sure that you have a left and a right scarf.

 

·        Using matching thread in your sewing machine and sewing from the back of the pieces, stitch carefully around the outside of the interfacing. 

 

·        Leaving a ¼ inch seam allowance around all edges, cut out “Little Stealthy’s” body.

 

·        Clip the seam allowance on each piece so that the fabric will fold under evenly.  Clip up to, but not through the stitching line.  The tighter the curve the more frequently you will need to clip the fabric, but leave a minimum of 1/8 inch between snips to avoid unnecessary raveling.  Straight edges do not need clipping.

 

·        Fold the edges under gently and press with a steam iron to form a crisp edge.  The line of stitching should be turned under slightly on the bottom edge of the fold so that it does not show from the front.   Work carefully from the back to produce a smooth edge.  Turn the piece over and press.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


·        Complete the above steps for both bodies and both scarves.  You are now ready to sew “Little Stealthy” onto the flag.

 

 

 

Step 4: Applique “Little Stealthy” onto the flag.

 

·        Pin “Little Stealthy” securely onto the flag body at the location shown on the layout diagram below.  Double check to make sure that the long axis of his body is parallel to the unfinished edge of the flag before you sew. 

 

·        The two icons of “Little Stealthy” line up exactly on each side of the flag, and the scarves, being mirror images, will also line up exactly.  Therefore, you will be able to hide some of the stitching under the appliqué on the opposite side.  This is not necessarily true for the letters and numbers, so that makes this a great place to practice your “invisible” appliqué techniques.

 

·        The “Little Stealthy” icons are sewn on by hand in 4 steps

      • Applique’ one of the body pieces onto the right side of the flag.
      • Applique’ the other body piece onto the reverse side of the flag.
      • Applique’ the scarf over the first body piece
      • Applique’ the second scarf onto the reverse side of the flag.

 

Having the first body in place will help you line up to second body and allows for easy adjustment before the scarves are sewn into place.

 

·        “Invisible” appliqué is a hand sewing technique that depends on three things: the thread color matches the background fabric, the stitches are very small, and the stitches are sewn through the edge of the appliqué, not the top. 

 

·        Thread the needle with yellow or black thread, whichever matches the flag background.  Tie a small knot to secure the two ends.  Slide the needle under the gray fabric bringing the needle out through the edge of the fold so that the knot is underneath the body and not visible from either side of the flag, or the front of the applique’.  Pick up 2 or 3 threads of the flag body with the tip of the needle then lift the needle up and catch the edge of the fold.  Pull the thread tight.  The stitch should pull down against the flag body and not show on the top of the appliqué.  Repeat.

 

 


Hide knot under edge of applique’
 
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With the tip of the needle, pick up 2 or 3 threads of the flag-body fabric.  Work close to the edge of the applique’.
 
 


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Bring the tip of the needle out through the applique fabric on the edge of the fold.
 
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Pull thread snug to complete stitch.
 
 

 

 

 

 

Pick up 2 more threads of the flag-body fabric and bring the tip of the needle up through the edge of the fold for the next stitch.  Repeat until all edges of the applique’ are sewn down.  Change thread color as needed to match flag body. 

 
 

 

 


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·        TIPS:  Use the embroidery hoop to hold the flag body flat, this will make it easier to pick up just a few threads from the flag body without sewing gathers into the flag.  You may want to wear the thimble on the index or middle finger of your off hand to help push the needle back through the flag body.  Try to keep your stitches uniform in length and a minimum of 1/16 inch in length – an even appearance will be less noticeable if the stitches do show.  The yellow thread will be harder to hide than the black because of the color of “Little Stealthy’s” body.  When sewing with yellow thread, pay extra attention to where the stitches come out of the edge of the fold to minimize the amount of show.

 

·        Stitch carefully around “Little Stealthy’s” body, matching the thread color to the flag background color.  When complete, tie off the thread with a hand knot and trim the loose ends close to the work.  Press with a steam iron.

 

·        Pin the scarf over “Little Stealthy” adjusting as needed to make sure that his eyes show and the corners of the bullet are visible at the bottom as shown in the picture. 

 

Insert picture of “Little Stealthy” showing how the scarf should be positioned.

 

·        Sew on the scarf using the same “invisible” appliqué technique illustrated in the previous step.  In areas where the scarf crosses over “Little Stealthy’s” body, sew the scarf to the gray body fabric instead of the flag body using gray thread.  Press. 

 

·        Trace the detail lines onto the scarf, using the carbon paper, or free hand the lines in with a #2 pencil.  Using three strands of black embroidery floss and a running stitch, embroider the lines onto the scarf.  Work in the top layer of fabric as much as possible.  (Note:  This step could have been done before the scarf pieces were cut out of the blue fabric.  I left it until now because the complex shape of the scarf – all the curved edges, especially in the knot area -- makes it difficult to sew on perfectly.  Mistakes will be more obvious if the outlines are already in place.  Therefore, I chose to do the appliqué first and let the embroidery “justify” the shape I ended up with.  For this reason, I also drew the lines on with a pencil instead of trying to match up the pattern and trace the lines exactly using tracing paper.)

 

Step 5: Cut out and applique’ the number “one” onto the flag.

 

·        Cut out the “ones” from the interfacing.  The interfacing will be pressed to the BACK of the letters.  Make sure that the glue side is on the backside of the letter before you cut so that they will be “reverse reading” when ironed onto the fabric.  Trim the seam allowance off of the interfacing before you iron it onto the fabric..

 

·        Press the interfacing numbers onto the yellow fabric being sure to leave at least a ½ inch between the two pieces to allow for seam allowance.

 

·        Machine stitch around the interfacing with yellow thread.

 

·        Cut out the both “ones” being sure to leave at least ¼ inch seam allowance. 

 

·        Clip the seam allowance to, but not through, the stitching line.  You will only need to clip interior corners. 

 

·        Fold the seam allowance under and press.

 

·        Carefully pin one of the numbers in place, at the location shown below.  Check to make sure it is perpendicular to the centerline and parallel with “Little Stealthy”.

 

 

Insert drawing of the flag with dimensions to the number “1”.

 

·        Using black thread, stitch the number in place following the instruction above for “invisible” appliqué.

 

·        NOTE:  In areas where the numbers and letters are not symmetrical (such as the serif at the top of the number one) the stitching will show on the reverse side of the flag.  Take extra care in these areas to make your stitches as small (2 or 3 threads) and as uniform as possible to minimize their visibility on the reverse side.

 

·        After attaching the first number one, press the flag with a steam iron.

 

·        Turn the flag over and pin the second number “one” in place using your stitches as a guide.  Check all measurements and make sure the number is parallel to “Little Stealthy”. 

 

·        Sew the second “one” in place using the same techniques described above.  Press.

 

 

Step 6: Cut out and applique’ the letters onto the flag.

 

·        Use the same techniques described above, applique the letters onto the bottom half of the flag.  The letters will be cut from black fabric and sewn on with yellow thread.  Remember that the interfacing is applied to the BACK of the letters.  Make sure you have cut them out so that they will be “reverse reading” when ironed onto the cloth.

 

·        The letters should be centered below the number one.  If you have only two letters, they should be separated by the width of the number one.  A long string of letters should be centered under the one, but the spacing should be adjusted to give a balanced appearance.  You will have to pin them in place and scrutinize the flag until you have something that looks right.

 

·        Before you sew, take a minute to determine which parts of the letters will be covered by applique’ on the reverse side of the flag and which will not.  Single letters may be symmetrical enough that all edges will be covered, such as the letter “A”.  Long strings of letters (such as WATU) will have almost no areas in common.  Your needlework will be more apparent in areas where the letters do not line up.  Careful work in these areas will improve the appearance of the flag.

 

·        Press often and admire your work! 

 

Step 7: Cut out and attach the pole sleeve.

 

·        Cut a rectangle of canvas 18 ¾ inches long by 5 ¼ inches wide. 

 

·        This piece of canvas will be folded in half lengthwise and sewn onto the unfinished edge of the flag to form a pocket for the flagpole.   Buttonholes will be worked into the pocket so that the flag may be flown from a lanyard if desired.  This part of the flag is constructed using a sewing machine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


·        To construct the pocket zig-zag or sew across the edge of one of the narrow ends of the rectangle.  This will become the opening for the flagpole and the bottom of the flagpole pocket. 

 

·        Hem the bottom edge of the flagpole pocket by folding up 5/8-inch and sewing in place.  You do not need to turn the edge under because the zig-zag stitching will prevent raveling.  The flat hem reduces bulk, making it easier to insert the flagpole.

 

·        Fold over 5/8-inch seam allowance on the other edges and press.  Now fold the fabric in half lengthwise and press again.  The last fold marks the center of the flagpole pocket.

 

·        Work a four 5/8-inch buttonholes into the flagpole pocket – 2 in the top and 2 in the bottom.  Both sets are 1 ½ inches in from the folded edge of the fabric and centered in each side of the pole pocket so that they line up when the pocket is folded in half.  As shown in the dimensioned drawing above.

 

·        Cut open the button holes.

   

·        Pin one long side of the pole pocket to the unfinished edge of the flag.  Make sure that the hemmed bottom edge is even with the bottom edge of the flag (yellow fabric) and the top edge of the pocket extends 5/8-inch above the top of the flag (black fabric). 

 

·        Double check to make sure the pole pocket is square with the flag and everything is parallel.

 

·        Using a long stitch length and white thread, sew the pocket to the flag body.  This basting stitch will be removed later.  The long stitch length will make it easier to pull out.  Sew in the crease of the fold.  Press both raw edges away from the flag body.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


·        Fold the pole pocket in half so that the raw edges are on the outside and stitch across the top of the canvas.  This seam should line up exactly with the top of the flag body.  (Remember to reset your stitch length to normal and sew permanently in place.)  Turn the pole pocket right side out and press flat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


·        The unsewn edge of the pole pocket should lay flat on top of the flag, just covering the line of basting stitching.  Topstitch the loose edge in place, sewing through both layers of canvas and the flag body.   Remove any of the basting stitches that show and press the seam.

 

                                                                                                                

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


                                        

                                               

 

 

                 

 

 

·        Congratulations, your flag is complete!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The anatomy of “Little Stealthy”

 

1.      The body pieces for both sides of the flag are exactly the same.  Finished size (measured from seam line to seam line) is 4 ½ inches tall and 1 7/8 inches wide.

 

 

 


4 1/2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


                                          1 7/8

 

2.      The scarves, however are mirror images – one right handed and one left handed.  Fold the fabric in half and cut both scarves at the same time.

 

 


      2 ½ inches

      finished

      size

 


                                                      4 inches finished size

 

3.      When you sew the scarf on over the bullet shape it makes the icons “mirror images”.