Free Cut Files - DIY Patriotic Themed Reverse Canvas Sign!

Grab some Cricut free cut files for 4th of July or any other patriotic day. Make signs, t-shirts, mugs, or anything you’d like!

I can’t believe it’s summer! School just got out for my kiddos and we are already at 100 degrees here in Northern California… I’ve started working on some DIY patriotic decor for 4th of July and wanted to share some free cut files with you along with a reverse canvas sign tutorial.

You can use these to make a sign like I did here or add them to t-shirts or paint some blocks or a sign…. whatever you can think of!

Materials for Reverse Canvas (including free cut files!)

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Canvas – I got a pack of 12×12 stretched canvases like these ones on Amazon here
Heat Transfer vinyl
Cricut or other cutting machine
heat press or iron
chalk paint or stain
paint brush, staples, utility knife, tea bag
Free cut files – scroll down to get files!

Reverse canvas signs are so fun and easy to make! If you don’t want to have a frame around it, you can always just apply the heat transfer vinyl on with the frame attached like I did for this sign here (click here!)

To take the frame off, use a box cutter or screwdriver to take out the staples.

Then I laid the wood frame on top of the canvas, drew lines around it and then cut on the lines to make it the right size.

I wanted to add a little antique look to the canvas so I grabbed a used wet tea bag and just wiped it around the canvas. Then I picked the canvas up and rocked it side to side gently until all the water was absorbed (there wasn’t much!)

Let it dry completely.

While that is drying, you can work on the frame. I always add some wood putty into the open holes in the corners and some wood glue on the mitered corners so it stays together.

Once everything is dry, sand it. If you’d like to see a video of all these steps, check out my full reverse canvas sign tutorial here.

I painted this one with gray chalk paint and then added some antiquing wax, but you could also stain it.

Let your frame dry and finish up the rest of the canvas.

FREE 4th of July SVG Files

Download your free cut files below – I have two for your to pick from!

The Strength of a Nation – download SVG by clicking HERE!

Just to warn you, when you download it, it looks like there is only half of it. But once you upload it into Cricut Design Space you’ll see the entire file!

God Bless America – download SVG HERE! Or PNG HERE!

If you’d like another patriotic SVG file click here to see my Proud to Be An American Shirt tutorial. Or hop on over to grab a few DIY baby 4th of July outfit SVG files.

If you are making a full outfit, you won’t want to miss painting shoes in a flag design.

How to Apply Iron-on Vinyl to Canvas

Cut it out with a Cricut on heat transfer vinyl. If you don’t have a Cricut and want to know all the cool things you can do it with, click here!

I use a heat press which I love! It makes using HTV simple and always presses perfect. Click here to read on how to use a heat press! After you have cut out all your vinyl, press down the USA silhouette first for about 8 seconds or so. Peel off the backing.
Then add the wording and stars to where you want it, cover everything with a teflon sheet and press it down for 20 seconds or so. I laid the frame on top of the canvas before I pressed it, to make sure everything was centered where I wanted it.

I didn’t end up liking the white HTV in the middle, so I cut “Lies in the Homes” out with Cricut foil adhesive and just applied it on top of the HTV with some transfer paper.

Then staple the canvas to the back of your painted frame and you’re done!