Fabric Scrap Topiaries Craft Tutorial

I've posted a couple craft tutorials using fabric scraps, such as a fabric scrap wreath and fabric scrap brooches.  Here is another project that uses small pieces of fabric.  I like to use multiple pieces in the same color family, but you might want to use all the same color/fabric, or totally mix it up.  It's all up to you!  The bases are just painted terra cotta flower pots:

Materials and Tools Needed:

Flower pots

Styrofoam balls

Craft paint

Foam brush

Lace or other trim for the flower pots

Paper shred or moss

Styrofoam to fit the bottom of the flower pots

Wood dowel about the size of a drinking straw

Hot glue gun and glue

Pinking shears

Assorted fabrics

Knitting needle or chopstick

Embellishments such as ladybugs or cotton birds

Directions:

Paint your flower pot with craft paint and allow it to dry.  Add lace or other embellishment around the rim with hot glue.  Use glue to adhere a styrofoam ball inside the pot, trimming the ball to fit if necessary.  Paint the wood dowel the color of your choice and insert it into the styrofoam, centering it well.  Put some hot glue around the base of the dowel and on the top of the styrofoam and attach the paper shred or moss to hide the styrofoam.

Prepare your fabric by cutting it into circles.  Sometimes I like to use pinking shears.  My circles were 4" in diameter which is a good size for most table-top topiaries.  To glue the fabric to the styrofoam, fold the fabric in half, then in half again and put a dot of hot glue on the styrofoam. Use a knitting needle or chopstick to push the center of the fabric circle into the ball.  Keep repeating this until the ball is covered.

 

 

Once you have completed the fabric-covered styrofoam balls, you can construct the topiaries by spearing them with the dowels and adding the birds, butterflies or ladybugs.  Very easy!

 

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Comments

[Colleen]

Mitzi, These are wonderful! I am also picturing these done for Christmas, with little elves or snowmen, etc. Hope you are having a wonderful summer!

[Mitzi Curi]

Hi Colleen,

Great idea! I can picture the Christmas versions too.....

Im having a busy summer. My mom is visiting, and Im working on estate sale prepping. Its been fun, though!

Mitzi

[Ann Divelbiss]

oh,my goodness!! how darling are these!! thanks so much for the tutorial!!

[Mitzi Curi]

Hi Ann,

Thanks so much! They are easy to make.....

Mitzi

[Erica]

Super cute! I might have to make a few of these.

[Mitzi Curi]

Hi Erica,

So glad you are inspired by this project! I hope you give it a try.....

Mitzi

[Tamara @ Etcetorize]

So cute! I even love the crinkle cut paper in the flower pot. You always have such a good eye for what colours to put together. Definitely putting this on my list of projects to make~

[Mitzi Curi]

Thanks so much, Tamara! I'd love to see your version.....