Library of Congress (LOC) Sewn Flag
Library of Congress (LOC) Sewn Flag

Library of Congress (LOC) – Sewn Flag

SKU: Library of Congress (LOC) - Sewn Flag

Choose your options Call-in item. Review what you need, then call or request a quote.
Mounting
Sides
Size
Quantity
Ask about pricing on sets for several offices
Your selection: Review your options above
Call 703-751-2411 or use the Request a Quote button below. Your selection goes with it.

Library of Congress (LOC) - Sewn Flag

  • Official Library of Congress design on nylon, made in the USA
  • Appliquéd (satin stitch) and embroidered (fill stitch) by hand
  • Single-sided or double-sided (double-reverse, double-paneled or single field double seal); pole hem, fringed pole hem or grommets
  • 3x4 FT, 3x5 FT, 4x6 FT, 52x66 IN

Product Description

The Library of Congress (LOC) Sewn Flag is appliquéd and embroidered by hand in our Alexandria, Virginia shop. Each color of the Library of Congress’ official emblem is cut from fabric and satin stitched to the nylon field, lettering and fine detail are embroidered with a fill stitch, and the flag is made in the USA. Most sewn flags are finished with a pole hem for indoor and ceremonial display; order it with grommets if it will fly on an outdoor pole.

This is a call-in item, so you choose the details with us. Order the LOC sewn flag single-sided or double-sided, with a pole hem, a fringed pole hem or grommets, in 3x4 FT, 3x5 FT, 4x6 FT or 52x66 IN. Review your options above, then call 703-751-2411 or request a quote and we will confirm the details before production.

The Library of Congress is the research library of the United States Congress and the largest library in the world. It holds more than 170 million items, houses the U.S. Copyright Office and the Congressional Research Service, and occupies three buildings on Capitol Hill along with conservation and storage facilities in Virginia and Maryland.

Choose Your Options

Every Library of Congress (LOC) Sewn Flag is made to order, so tell us how you want it built. These are the choices.

Pole hem illustration for the Library of Congress (LOC) Sewn Flag: a sewn sleeve along the hoist edge slides over the pole
Pole hem: a sewn sleeve that slides over the pole
Illustration of an indoor flag with a pole hem and gold fringe on three edges
Pole hem with fringe: gold rayon trim on three edges
Close-up illustration of two brass grommets set into a canvas flag header
Grommets: brass rings in a canvas header, for an outdoor pole
Single-sided flag: the design is on the front only and the back is blankNCFFRONTBLANKBACK
Single-sided: design on the front, blank back
Double-sided, double-reverse: one layer of fabric, the design shows through on the back in reverseNCFFRONTNCFREADS IN REVERSEBACK
Double-sided (double-reverse): design shows through in reverse
Double-sided, double-paneled: two panels sewn back to back so the design reads correctly on both sidesNCFFRONTNCFSECOND PANEL, SEWN BACK TO BACKBACK
Double-sided (double-paneled): reads correctly on both sides
Double-sided, single field double seal: one field with the seal on the front and a second seal tacked to the backNCFFRONTNCFSECOND SEAL TACKED ONBACK
Double-sided (single field, double seal): second seal on the back

  • Mounting: A pole hem is a sewn sleeve along the hoist edge that slides over an indoor or parade pole. A pole hem with fringe adds gold rayon fringe on three edges, the traditional ceremonial finish. Grommets are brass rings set into a canvas header, the standard finish for an outdoor flagpole.
  • Single-sided or double-sided: A single-sided flag carries the design on the front only; the back is blank. A double-sided flag shows the design on both sides and is built one of three ways:
    • Double-reverse: one layer of fabric, so the appliqué shows through on the back in reverse. The lightest build.
    • Double-paneled: two panels sewn back to back, so the design reads correctly on both sides. The heaviest build, and it needs the most wind to fly.
    • Single field, double seal: one field with the emblem on the front and a second emblem tacked to the back, so the seal reads correctly from either side without the weight of two panels.
  • Sewn construction: Each color of the emblem is cut from fabric and appliquéd to the field with a satin stitch. Lettering and fine detail are embroidered with a fill stitch. The result stands in relief and reads across a room.
  • Size: 3x4 FT, 3x5 FT, 4x6 FT, 52x66 IN. For another size, give us the finished width and height you need.

Product Features

  • Official Library of Congress design: the Library of Congress (LOC) Sewn Flag carries the Library of Congress’ official emblem, reproduced to the agency’s design in the mounting and size you order.
  • Sewn construction: each element of the emblem is cut from fabric and satin stitched to the nylon field, with lettering and fine detail embroidered in fill stitch, so the design stands in relief and reads across a room.
  • Nylon field: lightweight nylon that hangs well on an indoor pole and carries cleanly in a parade.
  • Built your way: single-sided or double-sided (double-reverse, double-paneled or single field double seal); pole hem, fringed pole hem or grommets; 3x4 FT, 3x5 FT, 4x6 FT, 52x66 IN.
  • Made in the USA: every LOC flag we sell is made in the USA.
  • Matched sets: order one flag or a set for every office, and the mounting and size will be the same on each.

The Library of Congress began on April 24, 1800, when President John Adams signed the act moving the government to Washington and appropriating $5,000 to buy books for the use of Congress. An act of January 26, 1802 created the office of Librarian of Congress and the Joint Committee on the Library, now the oldest joint committee of Congress. President Thomas Jefferson appointed John James Beckley the first Librarian on January 29, 1802.

British troops burned the Capitol on August 24, 1814, and the collection was lost. In 1815 Congress bought Thomas Jefferson's personal library of 6,487 volumes for $23,950, the foundation of the Library that exists today. Copyright registration and deposit were centralized at the Library in 1870, and the Thomas Jefferson Building opened in 1897. The John Adams Building followed in 1938 and the James Madison Memorial Building in 1981.

Library regulations at 36 CFR 701.5 reserve the Library's seal for its official documents and publications, and say the seal symbolizes the Library's authority and standing as an official agency of the U.S. Government. Unauthorized use is subject to the criminal provisions of 18 U.S.C. 1017. For the Library's bicentennial in 2000, the U.S. Mint issued commemorative coins, and the seal appears on the reverse of the $10 gold and platinum coin.

Library of Congress Flag: Design at a Glance

  • Field: Blue, with the seal at the center.
  • Eagle and shield: An eagle with spread wings and a striped shield on its breast, holding an olive branch and arrows, drawn in white line.
  • Lettering: THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS in an arc around the eagle, with small stars between the words.

  • Product: Library of Congress (LOC) Sewn Flag
  • Material: Nylon
  • Construction: Appliqué (satin stitch) and embroidery (fill stitch) on nylon
  • Mounting: Pole hem, pole hem with gold rayon fringe, or canvas header with brass grommets
  • Sides: Single-sided or double-sided (double-reverse, double-paneled or single field double seal)
  • Sizes: 3x4 FT, 3x5 FT, 4x6 FT, 52x66 IN
  • Display: Indoor and ceremonial with a pole hem; outdoor with grommets
  • Origin: Made in the USA
  • Ordering: Call 703-751-2411 or request a quote; this item is not sold online
  • Hardware: Indoor poles, floor stands, finials, outdoor poles and halyard are in Hardware and Accessories

  • The Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and James Madison buildings
  • Reading rooms and exhibition spaces
  • Copyright Office and Congressional Research Service events
  • Author programs, dedications and staff ceremonies
  • Retirement, promotion and award presentations
  • Post it beside the American flag at a podium, or carry it on a parade pole

Which options can I choose on the Library of Congress (LOC) Sewn Flag?

Single-sided or double-sided; a pole hem, a fringed pole hem or grommets; and 3x4 FT, 3x5 FT, 4x6 FT or 52x66 IN. Review them above, then call or request a quote.

How is a double-sided flag made?

Three ways. Double-reverse is one layer of fabric, so the design shows through on the back in reverse; it is the lightest build and flies in the least wind. Double-paneled is two panels sewn back to back, so the design reads correctly on both sides; it is the heaviest. Single field, double seal is one field with a second emblem tacked to the back, so the seal reads correctly from either side at close to single-layer weight.

For a flag seen from both sides indoors, double-paneled or single field double seal reads best. For an outdoor pole, double-reverse flies most easily. Tell us where the flag will hang and we will recommend one.

Should I order the Library of Congress flag sewn or printed?

Sewn appliqué and embroidery gives the emblem relief and texture, and it is the traditional choice for a ceremonial flag indoors. Printed reproduces fine seal detail exactly and is the usual choice for an outdoor flagpole. Both are made in the USA. If you are unsure, tell us where the flag will be displayed and we will recommend one.

How is the LOC sewn flag stitched?

Each color of the emblem is cut from fabric and appliquéd to the nylon field with a satin stitch, a dense zigzag that seals the edge of every piece. Lettering and fine detail are embroidered with a fill stitch. Both are done by hand in our Alexandria, Virginia shop.

Can the LOC sewn flag be flown outdoors?

Yes, finished with grommets. A pole hem and fringe is for indoor and parade use, because a ceremonial finish wears quickly in weather. For a flag that flies every day, the LOC printed flag is the usual choice.

How is the Library of Congress flag flown with the American flag?

The American flag takes the position of honor. On separate poles of the same height it flies on its own right, which is the viewer’s left. When two flags share one halyard, the American flag is at the peak and the Library of Congress flag flies below it.

How do I order the Library of Congress (LOC) Sewn Flag?

It is a call-in item. Review your options above, then call 703-751-2411 or send them through our contact page with the quantity you need. We confirm the details before anything goes into production. Agencies that order the LOC flag for several locations can ask about a business account, and we keep the LOC flag design on file so reorders match the first set. Browse the full government agency flag collection for other departments, or read about our appliqué and embroidery and custom printing.

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