Repurpose For A Patriotic Farmhouse Look

Spindles Repurposed Into Patriotic Flags

In one of my favorite local vintage shops, Texas Charm Trade Days, the owner has a corner with spindles, chippy wood, and metal pieces. On every trip I probably pick through it twice, just in case I missed something on my first go around. I picked up these spindles and didn’t have a clue what I’d do and then I had too many ideas!

The barley twist had to come home with me, because who doesn’t love a classic barley twist. The other two needed to have straight ends for their next project after this one.

Repurpose the Spindles by Painting and Distressing

The first step to this repurpose project is to paint and distress. I used Heirloom Traditions Paint in bone, a nice creamy white and then sanded and aged with brown wax.

Measure and Cut Fabric for the Patriotic Farmhouse Flag

I measured my ticking fabric by holding it up to the spindle and seeing what size looked good. Then I did the same with my daughter’s old denim shorts and cut squares that looked the right size. Truly winging it! Your fabric measurements will vary depending on the size of your spindles.

Spangle Your Banner with Stars

After cutting my fabric into the sizes I needed it was time to paint stars on my denim squares. I found this stencil at The Dollar Tree and cut around the stars. I used a small paint brush and white craft paint to apply the stars.

After stenciling on stars I attached the denim square to the ticking fabric flag with a cross stitch or an X in each corner.

As you will notice my stripes are going the wrong way … I did not have enough fabric to complete two flags with the fabric going the correct direction so I had to take some creative license. Not saying that I didn’t A) Beat myself up over the decision B) Contemplate heading to the store and hoping I could find ticking fabric that looked like this and C) Sit and stare at it for 20 minutes wondering if I should scrap the whole thing. Obviously I kept on trucking.

Attach Your Patriotic Flag To Your Repurposed Spindle

Attach your ticking fabric flag to your spindle with a staple gun. I gave myself enough fabric to wrap around the spindle once and I stapled the fabric to the back side of the spindle.

Repurpose Vintage Finds Into Your Farmhouse Look

A piece of cast off pottery, probably given away because it no longer has its mate and can’t be seen as having a purpose. This is when we make Fifth Sparrows No More of these unwanted things!

This was the bottom, or stand of a drink dispenser. The drink dispenser being gone it had served its purpose but now I was going to repurpose it into the bottom part of a cake stand!

All I did was add a red and blue transferware style plate and the perfect patriotic tiered tray is created. Old spools, a calendar page and printable flashcards on the tiered tray made for a good mix of old and new. The Freedom Rings bingo card and vintage inspired flash cards are available in the Fifth Sparrow No More store – Twigs and Fluff!

What will you repurpose into your farmhouse look? What vintage finds will you repurpose into patriotic decor for your vignettes? Make sure to pin for later for patriotic inspiration in your farmhouse look!