Behind the Stitch: Explore the intricate process of creating Canada flags
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the art of flag making at Dartmouth, Nova Scotia's The Flag Shop
Sewing machines have been piecing together flags at Dartmouth, Nova Scotia's The Flag Shop since November 1993.
Debbie Hartlen quit her job in nursing to open the shop.
“I said, ‘Hmph, I have management skills, I sew, let’s do it,’” she tells The Weather Network.
The Flag Shop is the only flag maker in Atlantic Canada. (The Weather Network)
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She explains that there are two components that help flags withstand windy weather.
First, it's the fabric.
“You can get some economy fabrics, and you might get a season out of them.”
High-tenacity nylon will last several years, depending on how much you wash it.
Hartlen warns that you should still take the flag in during bad weather to extend its life.
“It’s not invincible.”
The second component is the finishing.
“We use a very strong thread, and we add four rows of stitching on our fly ends, and so that all contributes to helping the fabric last,” says Hartlen.
Her motto is that she makes a flag for everyone, from small stick flags for events to massive ones to be flown over public spaces.
As for a guarantee regarding Nova Scotia weather: “The only guarantee is that if we’re having a hurricane, you should take it down.”