More Fabric Flowers!

So the inspiration for these flowers comes from having to read a book for a class over the weekend. I got an audiobook version of it, and blissfully listened my way through it, while making pretty little flowers. Here some of my creations:

 

• Instructions on how to make the flower in this post.
• Then I sewed on a pearly shank button in the middle.
• Then, folded a piece of sheer ribbon and stitched it to the back.
• Next, sewed the pin piece to a circle of white felt.
• Last, I used Tacky glue (inspired by this tutorial) to adhere the felt to the fabric. I love this stuff now!

I did a few singed silk flowers too. I mentioned them earlier in this post. 

I really love the way they turned out this time! Plus it kept my hands busy while I was listening to my homework!

  

Fabric Flowers

Help! I can’t stop making these!

Seriously, these flowers are so easy to make, they are addicting! Once I got the first one down I was on a roll. I just kept making them while watching shows, and before I knew it I had over a dozen of them!

I basically followed this tutorial, except I didn’t glue mine, I hand stitched them in place instead. Usually I avoid hand stitching like the plague. But since all the stitches are mostly hidden I was very messy and just made it up as I went along. Also, I really like how they are supposed to be imperfect, with the frayed edges and such. I l-o-v-e projects that don’t require precision!

Here’s the basics of how to make them:

Just start with a strip of fabric (all of mine were different sizes, I didn’t measure at all, yay!) this is also a great project for using up scraps.

--notice the band aid, one more reason I avoid sewing by hand, needle injuries are inevitable. I need to pick up a thimble.


Then, Knot one end of the fabric, this will become the center of your flower.

Then, thread a needle, knot the end, and take a stitch of two through the back of the knotted fabric.

Then you’re ready to start twisting the fabric-loosely or tightly, varying, whatever- and wrapping it around the center knot in a spiral.




Stitch the surrounding loop of fabric to the center knot. Then as you continue to twist and wrap, stitch the fabric to edge of the next inner loop.

Sounds complicated but you’ll end up with something like this on the back. (I used the yellow one with white thread so you can see the stitches easily) You can do it with less stitches too.
Now I have to decide what to do with them! How do I finish them up?

They make great corsage pins for accessorizing shirts!
And I want to try some out as hair clips or as part of a headband. Not sure if I can pull that off, pretty trendy for me.

I love tons of different color combinations. So I’m not sure which ones to cluster together and which ones to leave separate.

Maybe I’ll leave them all separate with pin backs on all of them, So I can always mix and match.

What do you think? Which combos are the best?

     

Silk Flower Pin

I found this beautiful silk in the remnant bin at WalMart for about $.50 for each color.  I’ve seen these silk flowers on blogs and this etsy shop. They are pretty easy to make, a tutorial for organza flowers, but basically the same process,

Step 1- Cut out circles of silk. Big, small, smaller, smaller.

Step 2- Burn the edges of of the silk circle. I used a candle, you don’t have to get too close, the heat from the flame will melt the edge. This will seals the edges and keeps them from fraying and it curls the edges in like a ruffly petal. 

 

Step 3- Layer the silk circles.

Step 4- Sew the layers together. Sewing on a bead like you would a button.  I used invisible/clear thread. Not the easiest to work with, but since I’m not a very accurate hand sewer I like how it hides my mistakes and gives a nice finish.

 Step 5- Then I flipped it over and sewed on a pin back. Could also have hot glued it on.

Turned out pretty good. I’d like to make a pin with a cluster of a few, or a headband with a line of them. And I’ve still got the gold silk to try out. I’d also like to make something like this tutorial.

Patchwork Belt

I made this fabric belt, after reading this blog and this blog. Mine turned out…meh. So maybe I’ll try it again sometime and make it more sturdy.

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Perfect Fabric Headbands

This is a project I did a while back, and I’ve made it a few times. I made this fabric headband using this tutorial. I like wide headbands, but i have a sensitive head, and I can't stand the way regular headbands pinch behind the ears. With this pattern, its a soft comfortable alternative. And I can make it just the right size for my smaller than normal head (I have to buy kids glasses and sunglasses).

I think I should make a few more.