So I tried to make a Formula One checkered flag today. It was a bit of a spur-of-the-moment thing. I was looking at some racing stuff online and thought, “Hey, I could probably make that!”

First, I grabbed some black and white fabric I had lying around. I figured those were the best colors to use, obviously. Then I cut them into a bunch of squares. Didn’t really measure, just eyeballed it. They were probably, like, 4 inches each, maybe? I wasn’t too worried about them being perfect.
Getting Started
- Found some black and white fabric scraps.
- Cut fabric into squares, about 4 inches each.
Next, I started sewing them together. I laid them out on the floor first to get the pattern right, alternating black and white. That was a bit tedious, I gotta say. My sewing machine skills are pretty basic, so it took some time. I messed up a few times and had to redo some seams. Got frustrated a few times. But eventually, I got them all sewn into rows.
Sewing the Squares
- Arranged squares in a checkered pattern.
- Sewed squares together into rows.
- Spent time on fixing errors.
After that, I sewed the rows together to make the full flag. That was the most satisfying part, seeing it all come together. It looked pretty good, if I do say so myself! Not exactly like the real thing, but definitely recognizable as a checkered flag.
Finishing Up
- Attached all rows together to create the flag.
- Felt happy and satisfied to see the flag finally completed.
Finally, I ironed it out to get rid of some of the wrinkles. I didn’t have a flag pole, so I just draped it over my couch for now. I might try to hang it up somewhere later. Overall, it was a fun little project. Took me most of the afternoon, but it was worth it. Now I have my own homemade Formula One flag! It is not perfect, but good enough.
I am considering making a red flag next time!
