Half print half stitched

Half and half is our alternative to a flag with fully stitched and appliqued detail

Option 1

This technique involves printing a vectorised design to a fabric panel then over-sitching some of the internal and all of the external detail lines with applique detail.

This is a great halfway option between fully printed and fully stitched and depending on the detail involved may make a flag lighter to fly than a fully stitched version.

We automatically revert to this method when making any flag where a fully stitched flag, in this case the generic Yorkshire Rose, would be cost prohibitive in fully appliqued format for the client.

print and overstitch technique on flags, panels and curtains, half and half, flag studio

print and overstitch of yorkshire rose flag, half and half, flag studio

Option 2

If for instance the image (badge) on the front is a circle then the back of the flag would also be a circle and we can reverse the image for the back of the flag so it reads left to right on both sides.

Below we show an example of this on a flag comprising a MOD spec woven polyester ground (base) with an appliqued printed cotton twill badge stitched to the ground (the image on the back of the flag would be left to right facing as the detail is within a circle).

Half and half applique method by Red Dragon Flagmakers

Option 3

If however an image (badge as per next image) requires appliqueing as tightly as possible to the detail of the print with uneven detail then the same image would be reversed on a single layer of fabric as we stitch through a single layer which creates a mirror image on the reverse of the flag.

Half and half badge option for flags by Red Dragon Flagmakers

Option 4

Then there is our half and half plus overstitch technique.

The following shows a printed cotton drill ground (base) which has then been sympathetically overlaid and appliqued with a combination of taffeta, satin and polycotton fabrics. This creates a more 3D effect and because of the layering of the fabrics is stronger than a single layer of fabric. the next two images a panel we created for a client who wanted a unique design to replace the back panel of a vintage leather jacket. The panel is one sided.

Half and half and overstitch technique by Flag Studio

Museum installation, Barbados

Two panels, individually overstitched and finished back to back with blackout interlining and hand stitched piping to four sides.

Barbados Golden Grove museum installation flag banner by Flag Studio

Couture piece

Half printed, half atitched jacket panel Flag Studio

Queen Alexandra regimental flag

Option 5

The following image is of a pair of 12x18 inch replica military pennants with printed taffeta detail appliqued to a stitched ground and sewn back to back - as the client wanted the image to be left to right facing on both sides.

The images show the front and back of the the pair. It should be noted that this would be tricky to achieve on a flag smaller than 12x18 inches if the detail is complex but we're always happy to discuss client requirements to find the best solution.

Polish armoured military division replicae pennant burgees, half stitched half printed by Flag Studio

The following shows overstitched detail on printed cotton drill fabric gonfalon banner.

half and half overstitched printed cotton drill fabric by Flag Studio

Where a flag or panel is required to be double sided with different designs on each side, we're careful to advise against creating anything that may be too heavy to fly.