LIFE & TRENDS Showing Their True Colors


3 friends master the art of sewing to make American flags — in America. ::


BY MARISA HERMAN A


fter max berry moved into his new home, one of the fi rst purchases he planned to make was an


American fl ag to proudly fl y out front. But he soon grew frustrated


after fi nding that most fl ags for sale were cheaply produced and manufactured overseas. It was a problem also faced by his


friends Wes and Katie Lyon, who found that every few months they needed to replace the fl ag they hung on the front porch of their home in Charleston, South Carolina. Stunned by the thought that something as patriotic as an American fl ag was being made overseas, the three friends set out to learn the ins and outs of fl ag making and how to do it themselves. “You would think of all


things that should be made in America, an American fl ag would be on the top of that list,” Berry said. “The most shocking


thing to us is the fl ags we


were looking at and buying weren’t even made in America.” What started fi ve years ago


as a side hustle has transformed into a full-time job for the three friends, who became partners as the co-founders of Charleston-based Allegiance Flag Supply. After researching sewing techniques, studying diff erent threads and nylons, and hiring local seamstresses, the trio began producing American-made American fl ags. And right away, Berry said, the


friends learned that it “takes a lot of skill to sew the American fl ag.” Even once all the materials


have been sourced, he noted that seamstresses still must prepare the fabric, dye it, cut out the stripes, and embroider the stars. And that’s before they even begin stitching it all together.


Every fl ag from


Allegiance Flag Supply is made so that it’s able to withstand the elements outdoors and is fortifi ed


with double-needle lock-stitching, which means that, even if one stitch breaks, it won’t unravel. “Unlike other larger companies


that make fl ags that are spit out of a machine,” Allegiance fl ags are all made by hand using “100% sourced- in-America materials,” Berry said. “All of our fl ags are hand-sewn.


All of our stars are embroidered on. That, to us, adds a lot of value to our fl ags.” He believes the reason customers


are choosing to purchase American fl ags from Allegiance has to do with the company’s use of high-quality products sourced in America, wanting to purchase a product that is made at home, and a desire to support American jobs in the textile industry. Berry pointed out that industry


in Southern states revolved around textiles in the 20th century, until many American textile jobs were outsourced overseas. The company currently supports


roughly 40 American jobs in the textile industry, and many are third- generation seamstresses. “Bringing American textile jobs


back, it makes us proud and it makes our customers proud,” Berry said. The popularity of the Allegiance American fl ags grew swiftly and by March 2020, he said the three friends had all quit their day jobs to focus on making more fl ags. “We are really proud of what we


do and how we do it,” Berry said. “It’s been a great ride.” The most popular fl ag off ered


by Allegiance is a $75 3-by-5-foot American fl ag, which is the standard size that most people fl y outside their homes. Berry said Allegiance also makes


WES AND KATIE LYON AND MAX BERRY 68 NEWSMAX MAXLIFE | AUGUST 2023


larger fl ags for in-ground poles and a $55 boat-sized fl ag to be fl own while out on the water.


©ALLEGIANCE FLAG SUPPLY


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