Lovely Fabric Flowers
These flowers are so versatile. These can be used to make flower garlands, table confetti, a brooch, a headband, pins, you name it! Try different techniques to make different types of flowers.
Make flowers for any season and use as interchangeable appliqué. I hot glued a safety pin on the back of mine. Attach yellow flowers to a wreath for spring and summer. Simply remove and replace with red and white flowers for Christmas.
Supplies & Tools:
- 0.25 yard fabric, any color
- Scissors
- Thread
- Needle
Directions:
- Cut out circles (ranging from 1–3″ in diameter) from desired fabric. You can cut the circles freehand; they do not need to be perfect circles. In fact, I find that they are more interesting and unique when each is slightly different.
- Thread the needle and gather a circle in the center. Sew a couple stitches so that the petal holds its shape. Be sure to knot the thread. (Do not trim the thread yet!)
- Poke needle through flower, bringing it to the back side.
- Poke needle near the center of the next circle. Needle should now be on the rear of the flower.
- Gather fabric and stitch once or twice.
- Repeat steps 3–5 for each additional petal you want to add.
- Once you have added all the petals, sew a few stitches through all layers of petals in the center of flower. Bring the thread to the back of the flower. Remove thread from needle.
- Next, locate the thread from step 2. Insert needle into flower near this thread. Pull thread though the eye of needle and pull needle through to the back of the flower.
- Now tie the ends of the thread together to finish the flower.
Alternate Directions:
- Cut out circles from desired fabric. You can cut the circles freehand; they do not need to be perfect circles.
- Fold a circle in half. Hold the flower in one hand and sew a couple stitches near the corner of the fold. Tie thread in a knot.
- Poke the needle through the flower, bringing the needle/thread to the top of the petal.
- Continue sewing on the same thread, pick up another circle and fold in half. Sew a couple stitches near the corner of the fold.
- Poke needle through one layer of the fabric to bring the needle to the front.
- Repeat steps 4–5 for each additional petal.
- For the last petal, I chose a smaller circle, folded in half and stitched in the center of the fold (instead of near the corner).
- Your flower might be a little wonky, but gently arrange the petals until you are pleased.
- Then sew a few stitches in the center of flower—through all layers of petals.
- If you still have a few unruly petals, sew a few stitches to hold them in place.
- Pull thread through to the back of flower and tie the ends of the thread. Trim the thread ends.
Elfy Hints:
- Use a sewing machine to sew the corners of each petal. This will speed up the process of flower making, especially if you are making several of these!
- Start with larger petals first, then add smaller petals in the center.
Ideas from the elves:
- Decorate the center of the flower with beads or mini pompoms.
- Fold each circle into quarters, and cut an arc to round off the corners. This makes the flower look like it has ruffled petals.
Making the Leaves:
- Cut a leaf shape with a square bottom.
- Sew a running stitch across the bottom edge.
- Pull needle through, leaving ample thread on each side.
- Gather the edges, and sew a few stitches so the leaf will hold its shape.
- Attach to back of flower.
Make It a Pin!
Supplies & Tools
- Fabric flowers
- Felt
- Scissors
- Safety pins
- Hot glue gun
- Hot glue sticks
Directions:
- Lay flower on flat surface, backside facing up.
- Cut a small circle from felt about 0.75–1″ wide, depending on the size of the safety pin. The felt circle should fit snugly in the safety pin.
- Place circle inside the safety pin. (To prevent gluing the wrong side of pin, open the safety pin.)
- Hold the open side of pin between thumb and forefinger.
- On the other side, apply hot glue to the felt and pin.
- Immediately apply to the back of flower.
- Press in place and let cool.
Wonderful flower i must say!
Soooooo cute. I want 2 make 1
that is really cool.