American Flag 2 Barn Quilt Pattern
A classic barn quilt block you can customize and print as a paint-ready plan.
Planning the board? Use the sizing calculator for exact cell and border measurements, or read the paint color guide before you buy paint.
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Grid
- 8 × 8
- Colors
- 4
- Suggested board sizes
- 2′ × 2′, 3′ × 3′, 4′ × 4′
About the American Flag 2 block
American flags and patriotic imagery have appeared in quilts for well over a century, often marking wars, national anniversaries and important events. The Smithsonian preserves a Stars and Stripes quilt made in 1861 for a Union soldier, while an elaborate Baltimore Album quilt from about 1845–1852 includes an American flag among its patriotic motifs.
Later generations continued the tradition with red, white and blue quilts celebrating military service, statehood, national holidays and community history.
Learn more about the history
Tips for painting a American Flag 2 barn quilt
Prime both sides of your board and seal the edges before painting to keep moisture out.
Lay out the pattern in pencil first using a grid — every shape lines up on a regular fraction of the board.
Paint the lightest color first, then work toward the darkest so any drips can be covered.
Use painter's tape along straight edges and burnish it down with a credit card to prevent bleed-through.
Ready to design your American Flag 2?
Customize the colors in the online designer and download a printable paint-by-color plan with a grid diagram.
Open in the designerPainted the American Flag 2? Share your photo.
We feature finished quilts from real makers in the gallery — it helps other painters see how the American Flag 2 looks in different color combinations.