DIY Patriotic Wood Sign With Denim Ribbon

I made a patriotic wood sign for summer. It has bold words and a sweet denim bow. Greenery and tiny flowers add a fun final touch.

This sign works for many special days. You can use it for Memorial Day. It also works for Flag Day and July Fourth. You can bring it out again for Veterans Day.

Supplies I used

My project came from the May Craft With Us box. The wood pieces had etched marks. Those marks made each word easy to place.

Here are the main supplies I used.

• Wood backboard
• Wood trim piece
• Wood words
• Wood star
• Red paint
• White paint
• Blue paint
• Stain
• Distress Ink in Ground Espresso
• White paint and a dauber
• Sanding block
• Glue
• Hot glue gun
• Denim ribbon
• Greenery
• Small flowers
• Sawtooth hanger

You can paint your sign any colors you like. I stayed with classic patriotic colors.

Paint the wood pieces

I painted the backboard white. This gave me a bright base. It also helped the bold words stand out.

I painted the word red with red paint. I painted the word white with white paint. Then I painted the word blue with blue paint.

I also painted the star white. The small star adds a cute break between the words.

I stained the trim piece. The stain gave the sign a warm wood edge. It also added contrast around the white board.

Paint can build up inside etched lines. I cleaned those areas before moving on. This kept each line easy to see.

I used a dryer to speed up the drying time. Hold the dryer back from the wood. Keep it moving across the surface.

Add a worn finish

I wanted the sign to have an aged look. I used Distress Ink in Ground Espresso.

I added a small amount at a time. A light touch works best. You can add more when you want a darker finish.

Next, I used a dauber with white paint. I bounced it over parts of the surface. This softened the brown ink and added layers.

I also used a sanding block. It helped the fresh paint look worn. Sand with a light hand. Stop when you like the finish.

Each sign will look a little different. That is part of the fun. Small marks add charm to the wood.

Glue the sign together

I placed every piece before adding glue. This helped me check the spacing. It also showed me how the full sign would look.

The etched marks made this step simple. I lined up each painted word with its matching spot. Then I glued the words in place.

I added the small white star with the words. I checked each piece before pressing it down.

A jar lid worked well for holding glue. I added a small dab to the lid. Then I used a brush to spread it on the wood pieces.

Use what you have for this step. A small scrap lid can help keep glue off your table.

Make the denim bow

The denim ribbon was soft and easy to shape. It also looked great with the red, white, and blue paint.

I made a simple bow. Then I checked the ribbon tails against the sign. I wanted the words to stay easy to read.

You can trim the tails after placing the bow. This helps you pick the best length. Shape the loops with your fingers before gluing it down.

The denim gives this project a relaxed summer look. It also adds texture without hiding the painted details.

Add greenery and flowers

The greenery is optional. The sign still looks cute without it. I added some because I liked the extra color.

I pulled small pieces from the greenery stems. Then I placed them near the bow. I moved each piece until the shape looked full.

I used hot glue to hold the greenery in place. A small amount was enough for each stem. Take care around the hot glue.

Next, I added the little flowers. I placed them between the greenery pieces. The flowers added a soft touch beside the denim ribbon.

I kept checking the words as I worked. The ribbon, leaves, and flowers stayed away from the main lettering. This kept the sign neat and easy to read.

Display the patriotic wood sign

You can prop the finished sign on a shelf. You can also place it on a small stand.

The kit came with a sawtooth hanger. You can attach it to the back if you want to hang the sign on a wall.