Making a Confederate Infantry battle flag.

[Pvt.Gustafsson]

Does anybody have description of how to make Confederate infantry battle flag? Was it always the case that the AOT battle flags were rectangular as opposed to the ANV flags that were square?

 

[Frederick14Va]

Mikael
Are you pondering a flag for your own respective display use, or are you looking to make something authentic for field use?.

Volumes of books and many decades of research has been put into the vexillology examination of Confederate flags. As with many other war related items, the flags also evolved and changed over the course of the war. Many were specific to theater, date, and commands, especially true in the AOT. No not all AOT battle flags were rectangular. Different makers and depots had their own patterns and resulting design characteristics. Many times we can determine when, where and what depot may have made a particular flag by these small characteristic details.... Again depends on who, and time and place. Unfortunately its difficult to correctly have one particular generic flag that will or could properly fit into any and all given scenarios and time frames. Regardless what we commonly see some reenactment units using....

Most Regiments went through on average around 2-5 flags over the course of the war... worn out, damaged, lost, captured, etc. Each new issue might have been very different than the previous... What a regiment carried at Shiloh, may be very different what the same regiment had in their hands at Atlanta.... Did you have particular unit or targeted time/place in mind?...

On another related note... Many of these flags were assembled using specific (then) known sewing formats and methods that to most modern sewers is a near complete foreign and obsolete concept... Many tend to apply modern methods, and the result rarely looks like or matches the original product. Most times one needs to have and possess a really really good level of knowledge and skill of period sewing methods before trying to take on this type of challenge... Yes anyone can grab an electric Singer and slap something together that to them might "look close"... but to others might not be as much... The pattern, details and assembly methods is what typically determines a good looking reproduction flag from a really farby one... A Battle flag produced through Richmond has its own unique pattern characteristic that differs from others made through Charleston, Atlanta, etc... Materials... this is another acute limitation factor upon making an authentic flag. Originals beyond 1861 were normally produced using worsen wool bunting.... Unfortunately no one makes this material anymore as it was replaced on the flag making market with nylon back in the 1940-50 era. Close as can be had is alternate fabrics labeled as "wool blend", cotton blend, or other blends of natural/synthetic fibers that try somewhat to replicate the loose weave bunting...

 

[Pvt.Gustafsson]

I was thinking of making something that would be authentic, and good enough to be used for reenacting. I have seen places online selling Confederate battle flags made out of cotton fabric. Were there not original battle flags made out of cotton? I'm not expecting to find the exact fabric that were used in originals, but at least being able to put it together correctly. But maybe that's harder than I thought...

 

[CMWinkler]

I would look at sites like Jeremy's for inspiration: http://southernprideflagco.com

 

[Patrick1970]

Mikael,
When I was active in Reenacting, I purchased a Confederate Battle Flag from a place in Alabama. I remember taking it to a drill and they all loved it. I'd be more than happy to take some pictures of it and send you. I was going to use it in reenacting, but don't do it anymore. Let me know if u would like some pictures. Patrick @ 573-631-9301

 

[Malingerer]

Ben Tart sells an ANV flag kit that's pretty affordable and will have the added benefit of being hand sewn. You can always add your own unit designation and battle honors based on museum specimens.

 

[Frederick14Va]

There were some cotton fabric flags made, but that was moreso a rare temporary stop-gap measure than habit. Richmond Depot issues a small run of flags made of cotton in 1862, when the preferred silk material ran out. These cotton issue flags had a slightly different pattern and were mostly issued to Hoods Texans that were then serving in the ANV. These didn't last long and quickly wore out. Cotton by its nature will absorb moisture, lay flat on the staff like a wet rag... tends to fade quickly in sun light, tended to be a bit heavy and not take the breeze very well, and not very durable... hence is why they didn't like to use cotton fabrics.. Stocks of worsen wool bunting came available soon there after and it went back to wool flags.

There are a host of flag companies,, and sutlers that make or offer flags... most of these are made of nylon, polyester geared towards to home display market... Some also offer it in a cotton or cotton blend fabric... these don't do too bad comparatively but unfortunately they are typically found using a generic pattern that doesn't replicate any original issue type. To the novice this may be fine... but if you want something authentic suitable for reenactment field that many others will be looking at.... I would suggest keep looking for something better. There are some that do them authentically but as expected they also tend to be a bit pricey by the general nature of the level of work required on it.

Majority of reenactment units out there use flags that are of an incorrect pattern, and/or incorrect issue type for the time-place portrayed. Just like the uniforms... they changed and evolved over time... Many units will get one flag and use it for any and all events regardless of the time frame portrayed. Not uncommon to see an 1864 era issue flag pattern being used at an 1862 period event.... In many cases they don't know, what they don't know... Vexillology is an academic study and forte on its own, that very few actually research upon. Its also a big part of a given units authenticity and portrayal... One can have a unit full of the best authentic uniforms and gear down to the stitching details and materials... Then step on the field with a wrong type/pattern flag... pretty much deflates the level of authenticity and credibility level of the unit....

The period flags were made by professional flag makers.... others via the depot system that were cut into "kits" and assembled by contracted ladies groups or civilian individuals. They would get paid when the finished product was returned and approved. Remember these ladies were detailed experts in sewing... of a style and format that very few do or even understand the concept today. Labor intensive... but done correctly the respective flag has that correct "look"...that any modern sewing technics and methods lack. There was indeed a given method and specific assembly stages that the flags were assembled... which as a result gave it that correct appearance... Not done in that manner and stages in order... it wont look right... Its not something I would recommend or suggest to the beginner or novice sewer... it could indeed be a frustrating challenge to do it authentically...

Ive studied period flags and examined probably hundreds of originals over the decades... observing the details and figuring out the sewing methods and stitch types used.... assembly and construction methods... not just who had what flag when, and what happened to it... I also hand make many other reproduction period goods, textile, leather, wood products.... I study the originals to replicate.... Im fairly well versed in the craft,, and still to me the flags Ive made were a lengthy challenge to get the details right... If your still up for the challenge I suggest research and study them in advance as much as possible... and basic understanding of the sewing methods of the day... practice on other things first... so you don't accidently end up with a pile of goofed up wasted fabric on the sewing room floor...

 

[Frederick14Va]

Ben Tart sells an ANV flag kit that's pretty affordable and will have the added benefit of being hand sewn. You can always add your own unit designation and battle honors based on museum specimens.

I will second that motion and suggestion...
Ben makes a reasonable flag kit that one can assemble their own with... just need some sewing stills and your off... saves time running about trying to find the suitable fabric also...
http://www.bnbtart.com/flag/ANVBattleFlagKit.html

 

[Poor Private]

I buy many flags throughout the year. I fly 40 different US historical flags( not at the same time). I have 3 flag poles in my front yard. 90% of all the flags I fly in my front yard are nylon. Each flag stays up a week then changes to another. That said.
I also have about 15 different cotton historical flags that I fly mostly at Civil war events. I am the guy who brings the flag for the unit for the event. Time and place and unit we are, determines which flags I bring. Some get battle stained and worn. They have a story. Most were purchased on line, about 1/2 were purchased from e-bay. Others were purchased from a reputable dealer. And we (my wife and I) have made a couple that were difficult to find or the price was way out there. Most cotton 3'x5' flags you can purchase for around 40 bucks, including shipping. A few of the more complicated flags such as the Irish Brigade with all the embrodery may cost as much as 60 or more. A typical 3'x5' CBF is gonna cost around the 40 dollar range. My wife and I were gonna sew ours but with all the stars having to be back to back and exactly matching it was cheaper to just spend the 40 bucks. Since our unit mostly is the western theater we use the retangular infantry battle flag. and whats now hard to find is the reverse color CBF of the western theater. So until we can find a comercially made one that is in our price bracket we will continue using the tradional CBF. If your going to hand sew, or even machine sew a CBF more power to you, I salute you, thats alot of work!

 

[Pvt.Gustafsson]

Mikael,
When I was active in Reenacting, I purchased a Confederate Battle Flag from a place in Alabama. I remember taking it to a drill and they all loved it. I'd be more than happy to take some pictures of it and send you. I was going to use it in reenacting, but don't do it anymore. Let me know if u would like some pictures. Patrick @ 573-631-9301

No, I wouldn't mind some pictures. You can send them to : [email protected]

Thanks!

 

[Pvt.Gustafsson]

My biggest flaw is that I am impatient, so maybe I shouldn't. And the fact that the only things I have sewn are shirts and drawers etc, I probably shouldn't haha. Well I'm going to pick up echoes of glory and and study some flags anyway.