Make Your Own Sublimation Fall Garden Flag: Tips and Tricks

It is September and here in West Texas, it isn’t exactly “cool weather” yet. But still, with fall season approaching, it’s time to get our autumn stuff out! I haven’t done much home decorating, (let alone garden decor) so I’m starting small. We are going to get this party started by making an easy sublimation fall garden flag. This project took me under 30 minutes to complete, so it’s a perfect starter project.

Why I’ve Never Decorated Before

Although I’ve always admired fresh, put-together home and yard decor, it’s never been my jam. I never felt like I was really good at it. But like so many other people, being confined to home for 2 years left lots of time for “finding myself.” Crafting and making has always been a huge part of who I am and what I do. So given this time to be at home, I’ve been able to discover new ways to use this creativity and gift for making.

Why Fall Garden Flags?

Of all the things to make, why did I choose a garden flag? Because it seemed EASY! Also, because they’re really cute. I’ve made door hangers before, and I’m pretty comfortable with them. Wreaths and floral arrangements are on the other end of Mrs. Craft Lady’s maker spectrum, though. Those are skills I have not honed yet. I wanted to feel successful so that I would be motivated to continue bringing fall into my home. Adding a decorative garden flag to improve my outdoor landscape seemed like a great starting point.

Motivation comes AFTER success.

When I saw that Heat Transfer Warehouse had garden flags as one of their newest items in their sublimation section, I knew I had to try it out. So I reached out and they were kind enough to send a couple my way to play with. These did not disappoint!

We know that sublimation fabric needs to be polyester in order to take the ink. These flags are 100% polyester. They are a nice weight and the texture is almost like linen. The flags come in 3 sizes: 11″ x 18″, 11.8″ x 17.7″, and 18.5″ x 26.7″. The smaller 2 are very similar in size. But the largest one is noticeably bigger. For my fall garden flag, I used the 11×18 size.

Materials to Make a Fall Garden Flag

Let’s talk about what you’ll need to make your own garden flag. Aside from the flag itself, you’ll need a design to go on your flag. There are several options for this.

Option 1

If you do not have a sublimation printer or access to sublimation prints, you can still make this project. HOW? Easy: Using transfer sheets like Cricut Infusible Ink or Heat Transfer Warehouse WalaSub Sublimation Patterns. You would design your flag in your design software and then cut it either by hand or on your Cricut or other cutting machine. You can create “new designs” using images you already have in your library.

Option 2

This is going to sound silly because it’s so simple. You don’t have to use sublimation. You can use regular HTV, glitter HTV, metallic HTV, or any other HTV you have on hand. It’s true that you cannot sublimate on just any material. BUT, you CAN use HTV on sublimation blanks. Pretty cool, right? That means that you would design your fall garden flag, send it cut, remember to mirror, and press as you would if you were making a shirt.

Option 3

For this option, you will need a sublimation printer or preprinted sublimation design, a design file you have downloaded or created, and a heat press that reaches 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This is what I’ll be showing you in the steps below.

Don’t forget that you’ll also need somewhere to hang your decorative fall flags. Most people use a garden flag pole placed in the front yard.

So, if you’re ready, put on your crafting apron and let’s hit it!

How to Make a Sublimation Fall Garden Flag

You can watch this project take shape on my YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/ol-pjnV3bW4

Materials and Supplies

• WalaBlank sublimation flag
• Pumpkin Sunflower Fall Flag design from Creative Fabrica
• Sublimation printer (I use an SG500)
• Sublimation paper
• Butcher paper (I use Protective Paper from Artesprix)
• Heat resistant tape
• Lint roller
• Heat press or large EasyPress
• Design software (Adobe Illustrator is what I use, and you can try it free for a week. But you can use Word, Docs, or any other compatible software)

The Process

1. Start by downloading the file to your computer. It will download in a zipped folder. Double click the folder on Mac to unzip. On a PC, right click and choose “extract all.”
2. Open your design software and insert the design.
3. Size your design. I left mine at the original. For this, I used A4 size paper.
4. Print your design on your sublimation printer. Don’t forget to MIRROR.
5. If needed, allow your printed design to dry.

Now it’s time to press your design.

1. Heat your heat press to 400 degrees and set the timer for 90 seconds.
2. Place the flag on the heat press, right side up. Try to lay the flag so that no seams are on the bottom plate.
3. Press the flag for a couple of seconds to remove any moisture
4. Use a lint roller to remove all the lint and stuff that you can’t see but that will show up after you’re done and ruin your project
5. Place the design on the flag, face down. Add 1 or 2 pieces of heat tape to hold the design in place
6. Place a sheet of butcher paper or protective paper over the design
7. Press the design for the 90 seconds.

Voila! You have just created your very own fall garden flag!

Finishing Touches

I couldn’t stop there, though. My sublimation printer only prints up to A4 size, which is about 11.75 x 8.25. But my flag is 11 x 18. That left a lot of space! But remember how I was telling you that you can use HTV on sublimation items? Well, that’s exactly what I did.

Inside of Cricut Design Space, I selected 3 leaves from the “Free” graphics. After adding them to my canvas, I sized them to about 1″ each.

If you know me, you know that I love me some glitter! So I went with glitter HTV for my leaves. I used Siser Glitter HTV from Heat Transfer Warehouse. I knew I’d be using 3 or 4 different fall colors of glitter HTV. This would give me 9-12 leaves to use.

Once I cut and weeded the glitter leaves (so stinking cute and sparkly), I arranged them on my already sublimated garden flag.

Since iron-on presses at a much lower temperature and time, I made that adjustment on my heat press. I lowered the temperature to 305 and the time to just 14 seconds.

I’m so happy I added the glitter leaves! They filled the white space without overpowering the sublimated design.

Blowing in the Wind

When my daughter and I went outside to put out our new flag, the weather knew! We had a slight breeze blowing, which made for the perfect photo. Making this fun fall garden flag was so easy and so much fun that I’m already thinking of what design I’ll use to make my winter, spring, and summer flags. That’s right! This garden flag thing is going to be an official Garcia garden staple.

We happened to grab our garden flag pole from Walmart in the garden clearance section a couple of weeks ago. But you can also find them on Heat Transfer Warehouse’s site. In fact, I’m headed over there to order 2 or 3 more for my backyard and flower bed.

One of the best things about being a crafter is that you can always create your very own custom decor. Whether it’s with seasonal flags, or with some other design elements, you’re sure to make impactful focal points with your beautiful creations.

I’d love to see what you’re creating for your home this fall. If you make a garden flag inspired by this post, please tag me. I am on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. I am EJsFunCrafting everywhere.

Now, go make something Fall-ish!

Check out these blogs…

I’ve also shared this garden flag diy on other blogs. I’d love for you to stop by and give these amazing crafters some love, too.

• Amy Sadler Designs
• Life Beyond the Kitchen
• House on Silverado
• Across the Blvd

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