The Rusty Rag
North Coast, N.Ireland
Hey folks, It's Ian here and I love all things vintage but most importantly Flags.
I design and make pennant flags to uplift and motivate or just create that little bit of warm nostalgia in your home or on your travels. Inspired by 1950s Americana with a touch of Irish warmth.
I am passionate about classic craftsmanship. I love to use as many analog methods as I can when when making my flags.
The journey of my flags begins when I hand draw the artwork and ink it onto paper first, this is then transferred to a heavy duty canvas flag that I make using my old 1960s Singer sewing machine ( I take this very seriously regards concentration and attention to detail as you can see from my profile pic lol ).
I then type a personal thank you letter on my old Olivetti typewriter that I include with every order.
I did say I love vintage, analog methods and classic craftsmanship so it brings me nothing but joy and happiness if I where to make a flag for you.
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A few favourite PIECEs
The Rusty Rag has been a small flickering flame in the back of my mind for the last 6 years. I have always been fascinated by vintage decor and craftsmanship from the 1940s through to the 1960s. When most things were designed and built to last, I took inspiration from that when it came to my hobbies and personal interests.
I started using old film cameras for my photography, bought an old record player and started listening to vinyl records again. Out went the Ipad and in came the pencil and paper to rekindle my childhood passion of drawing.
I spent many a weekend doing a run of the old charity shops looking for vintage treasure. It was then when I came across an old 1960s Singer sewing machine. I didn't know how to sew or what I was going to do with it but it looked and felt amazing so I bought it there and then.
It was only when I saw an episode of Mad Men that something caught my eye. I noticed on Don Draper's office wall a vintage New York Mets pennant on the wall. It was then that my pennant / flag obsession began. For the next few years I doodled designs, fixed and repaired the sewing machine, learned to sew and made flags for friends and family including myself.
It wasn't until the start of 2025 when I was made redundant from my office job that the idea of turning this passion and hobby into a business came to pass. And here we are 8 months on working on my passion that is The Rusty Rag.
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