Pages

Thursday, December 1, 2011

TUTORIAL: Fabric Flower

Here is a quick and easy feel good project for you....create a fabric flower in about 15 minutes that can be used to adorn that new bag you just made, or make for an adorable headband or create a few and make a fun fabric bouquet!
WHAT YOU NEED:
> Fabric Scraps (I like to use two different fabrics, but you can use one or more depending on what you like!)
> Hand Sewing Needle
> Thread
> Button

Get the full tutorial after the jump:

STEP 1:  CUT FABRIC

Cut 8 circles (I do four of each fabric).  These circles can be any diameter you like...for this flower I used a 4" diameter.  You can use a circle template to cut, or any household circular item (can bottom, cup, etc)
Cut each circle in half (you can get them perfect by creating a press line by folding them in half, unfolding and using that line as a guide)

STEP 2:  CREATE PETALS
Fold each 1/2 circle in half bringing the points together with the RIGHT SIDES of the fabric together.  DO NOT PRESS! 
 Sew along the straight edge using a 1/4" seam allowance.
  To make this easy, you can chain sew the pieces.  Just feed each petal through your machine without cutting the thread between each piece.  It's much faster and easier!
Once all the pieces are sewn, clip the thread between each piece.
Turn each petal right side out creating a small cone.  Use a turning tool (or chopstick like I do) to push the point out.

STEP 3:  ASSEMBLE THE FLOWER
Separate your petals into two groups (flower bottom and flower top).  You will need 10 for the bottom and 6 for the top. How you separate the colors/fabrics is up to you.

Thread your needle and use a long piece of thread and double it (this is for strength).  Tie off the ends.

Starting with a petal, push the cone flat so the seam line is on the center back.  

With the seamless side facing up, use a running stitch to sew the bottom of the petal.
(How many stitches you use is personal preference.  Play around and see what works for you)


Pull the thread all the way through the petal and attach the next petal without cutting the thread.  Continue adding petals until you finish all 10.
When you attach the 10th petal, sew the last petal to the first, creating the flower shape.  Knot, tie off and cut the thread leaving at least 5 inches of tail to work with later on.

Repeat for the top layer of the flower (this time only using 6 petals).  
This time, don't cut the thread/needle after attaching the first flower to the last....
 Instead, use the needle and thread to attach the top to the bottom.  Place the top petals ontop of the bottom and sew together at the center.

FINISH
Find a fun and playful button for the flower center...
(Make sure it is large enough to cover the raw edges)
And sew it on.
That's it!  You are finished!

Enjoy!

2 comments:

  1. I like this project, it looks like a nice one to do when looking for a project to finish in a short time. I will pin it to my pinterest wall.

    ReplyDelete
  2. thanks for sharing this tute!

    ReplyDelete

I would love to hear from you!