My Favorite Fabric Flowers: A Tutorial

There are hundreds of fabric flower tutorials out there, on blogs and Pinterest.  If you want to see a fairly good collection of them, check out my Pinterest board.  I've been compiling quite a collection of "creative flowers."  Recently, I started a second Pinterest board dedicated to paper flowers.  

With all the tutorials already out there, It's difficult to come up with something original, but my favorite fabric flowers might differ slightly from others that you have seen.  I guess that's about all that's left to do:  put your own twist on basic ideas that already exist. 

Materials and Tools Needed:

Cotton fabric

Tulle or organza fabric

Needle and thread (or sewing machine)

Scissors

Pinking shears

Pins

Felt

Pinbacks

Hot glue

Directions:

Prepare your cotton fabric by cutting two strips of equal length and height.  If you want your flower to have large petals, you will need to cut longer strips of fabric so the proportion is pleasing.  Smaller flowers will require less fabric.  For example, a medium size flower like the example shown here was created with two strips of fabric, four inches tall and 48 inches long.  Cut two strips of netting or tulle the same length and height as your cotton fabric.

 Layer your fabric and tulle strips on top of each other and pin together at the bottom, right sides of the patterned fabric facing the same way.  You can add the tulle in a variety of ways.  You can double in up and sandwich the double tulle layer in between the two cotton fabric strips; you can layer the tulle beginning with a single tulle layer on the bottom; or layer the tulle and cotton fabric with the cotton fabric on the botton.  Each will give a slightly different look.

With the pinking shears, cut petal shapes of slightly descending height in the fabric.  I did this freehand, but you might want to draw them first with a pen.  You can see below where the petals are smaller at one end of the fabric (the bottom) than the other:

Next, knot your thread at one end and sew a running stitch across the bottom of the layered fabric, gathering as you go.  This could be done on a sewing machine, using a basting stitch.

At the end, knot your thread.  Arrange the gathered fabric in a pleasing manner so the larger petals are beneath the smaller petals.  Secure with the needle and thread once you are happy with the arrangement.

Fluff up the petals by separating them:

Add buttons or beads to the center with your thread.  If the beads move around too much, you can secure them with hot glue:

To make a brooch, cut a piece of felt and sew a pinback two it.  Use hot glue to attach it to the back of your flower:

 

I like to cover up the back of the pin with a strip of felt:

A finished brooch:

The example below has a softer green organza fabric between the petals.  The addition of the organza (or tulle) really keeps the flower from getting too floppy, and it adds color:

The tulle helps keep the petals separated, too:

 

These flowers look great on a jean jacket:

It's fun to make a variety!  Best of all, I didn't have to go to the craft store for any materials.  I used fabric and other items I had on hand.

 

My flowers will be popping up at the following link parties:  Treasure Box Tuesday; Take a Look Tuesday; Wow Me Wednesday; Project Pinit; Craft Frenzy Friday; and Tutorial Tuesday.

Comments

[Melissa's Antiques]

What a cute project! I may have to try my hand at these with some vintage fabric I have on hand.

[Mitzi Curi]

Thanks, Melissa. They will be wonderful with vintage fabric! Maybe you could sell them in your antique mall booth.....

Mitzi

[Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures]

What darling flowers! I am currently co-hosting Tuesdays with a Twist Link Party. If you have time, I'd love for these to be added! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

[Mitzi Curi]

Hi Marci!

I will try to add them to your link party next Tuesday. Typepad has been having problems and I haven't been receiving all my comments....

Thanks so much for the invitation....

Mitzi

[Julie]

I love the one with the net, gorgeous!
I've tried a few different ways to make flower brooches, so I'll definitely give that a try.

[Mitzi Curi]

Thank you, Julie! Let me know how yours turn out!

Mitzi