Today my kids and I helped stitch a reproduction of the 1813 American flag of 15 stripes and 15 stars that flew over Fort McHenry in battle.
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Today we know it as the Star-Spangled Banner.
Sponsored by the Maryland Historical Society, Stitching History: Recreating the Star-Spangled Banner celebrates the 200th anniversary of the 1813 garrison flag that inspired our national anthem.
RESEARCH
Before beginning, the Maryland Historical Society researched all the original sources.
- Smithsonian American History Museum which displays the original 1813 flag
- Family Heirloom Weavers in Pennsylvania which replicates historical fabrics
- Janea Whitacre, of the Margaret Hunter Milliner Shop in Colonial Williamsburg taught the core volunteers the sewing techniques
In 1813 the commander of Fort McHenry commissioned Mary Pickersgill to sew two flags, one larger than the other.
The largest one at 30×42 feet is the one that flew over the fort when Francis Scott Key wrote his infamous poem and is the one that we were reproducing.
Last summer we visited Fort McHenry on a windy day, requiring smaller flags to be flown.
Throughout the day as the wind speed dropped, larger flags were flown.
The largest flag is saved for the calmest of days.
Beginning her sewing with five or six assistants, Mary Pickersgill, completed the flag in six weeks.
REPRODUCTION
The Maryland Historical Society endeavors to replicate everything about the original flag, from timeframe to tools, materials, and techniques.
Spread about the auditorium was 30×42 feet of reproduction fabric.
Wool bunting, woven as much like the original as possible, at 17 threads per inch weft…see the sheerness!
Each two-foot-wide star was appliqued on, then the blue field was cut out from behind, so that the star could be seen from both sides as the flag waved in the breeze.
OUR TURN TO SEW
Arriving in a line of volunteers, we were given time slots to do our part of the historical project.
When my kids and I entered, we were assigned the part of the flag that would become the top of the flag.
Expecting to place a backstitch into the flat felled seam, I was surprisingly instructed to place a running stitch, with about 3 threads between stitches.
The sheer weight of the flag, considering its size, seems to me impossible to survive mere running stitches.
When I asked about that, the volunteer told me that the original flag appeared to have been done only in running stitches.
I’m wondering if it has to do with flexibility of the large weave of fabric against the size and type of stitching.
On the other table was a section of flag for the lefties…which would be my kids.
As you can tell my son was most appropriately dressed…in a modern way, with his t-shirt from our visit to Fort McHenry last year!
MASCOT FROM BALTIMORE ORIOLES HELPS SEW FLAG
Looking up, we were surprised to see the mascot from the Baltimore Orioles!
He came over and shook my son’s hand.
Then he kissed my daughter’s hand.
I was still struggling with that silly phone when he came to me and wanted my attention!
I gave up with my phone when he put his arm wing around me!
He was softly whistling a tune into my ear…a skill required of anyone who dons the Oriole costume!
SOUVENIR
Here is my souvenir, which was offered to the stitchers for $5.
DEBUT OF REPRODUCTION FLAG OVER FORT MCHENRY
For the 200-year anniversary reenactment on September 12, 2013, this reproduction flag will fly over Fort McHenry. Here’s a great clip from the Old Guard of when they presented the flag to the garrison.
After that the historical society hopes this flag will fly at other sites relevant to the War of 1812.
