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August has been a quiet month this year. As a result it has been a blessing in disguise as it has allowed us to catch up on our stock of sewn Red Ensigns and Blue Ensigns.

These ‘sea flags’ are our biggest sellers but due to the design, they are time consuming to produce. Consequently, we are forever running out of stock. However, we now have sizes 0.75yds to 2yds available. This will not always be the case though, as they sell fast and we have to resort to making them to order.

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Recently, a customer wished to know what was an appropriate size for his yacht.

Click on the link to find out the recommended sizes by the RYA

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Interesting Facts

The first mention of the Red Ensign Flag was mentioned as early as the 17^th century. At the time the St George cross was used until the Union, as we know it today, superseded the original design

All vessels registered in the UK are required by law to fly the Red Ensign. The only exception are those who are allowed to fly a Special Ensign such as Yacht and Sailing Clubs. Known as ‘defaced ensigns’these special flags will have a badge applied in the fly half of the flag. This privilege is only allowed by permission from the monarch.

The ensign should be flow on the stern, the most prominent position, and is an immediate indication as to the vessels nationality.

Flag etiqutte stipulates that the flag should not be of a ragged appearance and be a suitable size for the vessel. This means that it should not hang or droop into the water.

In 1986 the Red Ensign was allocated to merchant vessels while the Blue Ensign was to be used by a public service or one commanded by a Royal Naval Reserve Officer.

Sewn Red Ensigns – Price List

Quality fully sewn Red Ensign Flag

Everybody today wants to get the best for their money. However, many customers still require high standards and quality. Here at Alpha Flags, we are willing to go that extra mile to offer unbeatable value. We now produce all our Red Ensign flag with an extra wide fly. This is the end of the flag which takes the brunt of wear and tear. Our Red Ensign – reinforced, comes complete with rope and toggle ready for flying.

If you want to get more out of your ensign flag, please ask us for more information on how to extend the life of your flag.

Find more information about this nautical flag here; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Ensign

Price and sizes available on our site; https://www.alphaflags.co.uk/red-ensign-buy-sewn/

How to take care of your Ensign

Woven / Spun Polyester: Typically 155gsm. Often referred to as MOD grade, this is the most durable material for making flags. Its strength-to-weight ratio is not surpassed by any other fabric. It is very important to ensure that the flag can fly free without striking or coming into constant contact with any obstructions such as a wall, a tree or foliage or the surface of a pole that is
rough. It is also important to consider whether the flag will constantly be exposed to harsh or extreme weather conditions such as high winds, heavy rain or heavily polluted urban environments. Flying an excessively large flag in bad weather will dramatically reduce life expectancy. How long a flag will last is an impossible question to answer as it depends upon many factors.
It is not recommended to fly your flag continuously as this will reduce the life expectancy. Typically a flag flown continuously 24/7 may only last approximately 3 months. Left out indefinitely, a flag will eventually succumb to the elements Hand-washed or gently machine-washed at 30 degrees using a mild detergent. If unsure, consult your
flagmaker. Once a flag has become too dirty, it will be difficult to clean. Never fly in inclement weather and strong winds. Flags should always be thoroughly dry before folding and storage. Flags should be taken down at night and in inclement weather. Your flag will endure much longer if it is cared for properly.
To get more life out of your flag you can always re-hem the outer fly edge when it eventually becomes worn, simply cut away the frayed edge and hem with a suitable sewing machine or return it to us. We can repair flags for a small cost which have not become too frayed or damaged.

Recently, we have come across a new word for raw material used in flag production. Although it is a common word for describing a neutral colour, it is also an adjective applied to cloth taken straight from the loom in an un-dyed, unbleached state. Griege, pronounced ‘grey,’ is a variable between beige and grey and can be dyed to any colour by the dyers, using sophisticated machinery, specialist techniques and a wealth of expertise. Today’s modern machinery and computer-assisted design led us to ponder how flags and banner fabrics were dyed in days gone by. Most notably, in the medieval period when flags were so important and possibly only ever commissioned by the very wealthy.

So how was fabric dyed then? It appears that the fabric was dyed near running water using natural dyes derived from various roots, lichens, minerals and more. The fabric was soaked in the solution and agitated many times before being ‘fixed’ with alum. The fabric was almost certainly dried outside in the heat of the day as were laundry and animal hides. Kilns were not invented until a later date. Just as flags are today, medieval flags were very colourful but only the wealthy could purchase such luxuries. Many flags and personal arms were resplendent with rich blues, crimson reds, greens, yellows and the most expensive of all, black. It seems that wool and cotton were the main fabrics at the lower end of the scale. However, the dyeing process for the more luxurious side such as silks, satins and velvet used more specialist techniques. This was due to the different up-takes of fabric fibres. For instance, the shade would be paler, especially with silk, than the same process used to dye coarse cloth.

The most difficult colour fabric dye, just as it is today, was black. Even for the wealthy, only the seriously rich could afford this luxury. When perusing the colour plates of the heraldic standards from the medieval period, it was notable that black was barely represented. Flag production has certainly moved on.

The Finnish flag, consisting of a ‘Sea Blue’ Nordic Cross on a White field, will shortly be raised at Nato Headquarters in Brussels.

Finland applied for NATO membership in May 2022, fearing that they would be the next target after the Russian invasion of Ukraine last year.

Although the first accepted Finnish flag was presented in 1848, the current flag was officially adopted on 29 May 1918.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters it would be “a historic and great day for NATO and for Finland.

Sailing Event

This annual event is hosted by Exeter University Sailing Club. The yearly sailing event is limited to 18 teams ensuring high-quality standards for all the participants. The event takes place 18 MAR AT 09:00 – 19 MAR AT 17:00 UTC at Roadford Lake Sailing Club Roadford Lake Broadwoodwidger PL16 0RL United Kingdom.

One minute we are making large flags then the very next day we are making our smallest size.

We are always prepared to go from one extreme to another in the blink of an eye. In the world of flagmaking, our sewing machines can be swamped with huge swathes of fabric or “making dolls clothes” as one machinist put it.

The images show 18″ x 12″ for a Harbour Master and a 5yd St George Cross made for a beautiful historic church.

For this particular St George, due to the size and flagpole location, we strengthened both the hoist and the fly for extra protection.