To make a flag

To make a flag for the Belfast Flags project follow the advice below. There are certain criteria that the Guinness World Records’ require to classify a flag as a bunting flag - follow the information below.

In the case of groups, schools or other organizations it is recommended that interested people contact the Belfast Flags to organise a workshop sessions.

Material

The Flags can be made from any fabric, cotton, tyralene, linen, denim - flags can be made from old sheets cut to size, an old shirt cut up, coloured fabric, in fact any material (within reason) will suffice. All the bunting flags must be triangular in shape and a precise size. *dimensions below.

Design

I ask every one to design their flags simply but effectively – and want images that say something positive about the future. For example, a flag can simply have a written wish or hope or prayer on a coloured or white background or it could be decorated with the Yin and Yang symbols of balance and harmony. A flag made in 2009 simply portrayed a basic drawing of a house, garden and path. These are just some ideas but your own original images are the best thing to strive for.

I would encourage people to use plenty of colour.

Message of flags

There are to be no national flags, football flags, or other traditional sectional images. International cultural icons or messages that are opened to everyone are what the project aims for. A short poem or a statement or chosen words are also a good idea. A simple sun with a smiley face, yin and yang, dreamtime images such as the aboriginal hand print, anti poverty ideas... for example, the bright and cheerful messages that are naturally in the painting of an eight year old. Young people especially do not seem to have a problem identifying the imagery and written words required. I also want the people to have freedom of thought to design and create as opposed to a proscriptive imagery.

Technique

Using any colour of fabric or material the flags can be designed with permanent markers, acrylic paints, iron on fabric pastels (Fabricfun Pastel Dye Sticks) or any other colouring material. The Dye Sticks are the recommended method. Once the image has been made with dye sticks, a sheet of paper should be placed on top and then a hot iron, this will make the dye sticks permanent.

Acrylic paints or any other materials can be used, whether permanent or not.

Other details

Size - Guinness World Records have stated that all flags must be triangular in shape and measure exactly 19 cm (7½ in) across the top and 29 cm (11½ in) on each of the long sides.

Each flag will be stitched onto our specially commissioned 1 ½ mile ribbon. The stitching will be carried out by the organizers; all that is required is that those who make the triangular bunting flags get them to the Belfast Flags GWR for inclusion in the project.

Material: Preferably some sort of linen. Any fabric will do. In venues in Spain we cut up old linen sheets, and shirts and table cloths.

Colours: The simplest method of making the flags is to use permanent markers, and other fabric pens. Other materials are pastel dye sticks for fabrics. But while conducting workshops in Spain the young people were using anything that they could get their hands on. eg ordinary crayons and coloured pencils etc. Some classes used acrylic paints. But for the small job of these flags paint can be a bit messy and difficult. The permanent markers are the best job; they are easy to use and the colours from the markers are strong and vibrant.

Refer to blogsite www.belfastflags.blogspot.com to see possible designs.

The process that I have been employing to date, is to first draw a triangle of the right size on a piece of A4 paper. Then to draw a draft image created in pencil, this can then be copied onto the flag material and coloured.

Other inquiries should be directed to:

Email: flags.worldrecord@gmail.com

Email: raymie.watson@gmail.com