29 May 2010

Fabric Flowers

These elegant fabric flowers are very simple to make . . . and only take a few basic supplies. The finished product is delightfully lovely, and at times can look like a real flower! Every flower will turn out differently and that is part of the beauty!

If you haven’t used those tea lights in a while, now’s the time! I hope you enjoy making these as much as we do . . . below are instructions with pictures on how to make your own.

Fabric Flower Tutorial: Supplies

Supplies:

· Synthetic Silky Fabric
· Scissors
· Candle (preferably a tea light)

Additional supplies:

· Needle and Thread, Glue Dots or Glue Gun
· Buttons and/or Beads

Directions:

Fabric Flower Tutorial: Step 1

1. Cut circle patterns out of card stock.

Make the largest one’s diameter about half an inch larger than you want the diameter of the flower, as the petals will end up shrinking a bit. Create a few of these, lessening the diameter bit by bit so that the end result has smaller petals in the center and larger ones around the outside. You can also use a pattern here, which works very nice!

Fabric Flower Tutorial: Step 2

2. Trace around the pattern onto the silk fabric (using a pen).

You can also cut around the pattern and skip the drawing part, it just might not be as uniform . . . but with these, uniform isn’t necessary. And if it’s not uniform, it adds character. And character is good.

Fabric Flower Tutorial: Step 3

3. Take the scissors and cut out the circle and petals.

Cut just inside the drawn lines to make a circle out of the fabric. Carefully cut only about a third of the way into the circles to create the petals. You can do as many or few petals as you would like, or even add some variety to them. I cut five times, making five medium-sized petals. You can also round the corners of the petals, if you so desire.

Fabric Flower Tutorial: Step 4

4. Use the lit candle to melt and crinkle the edges.

Be very careful (please have adult supervision, this is rather dangerous), as it is very easy to get burnt. Hold the cut petals about one to two inches above the flame, making sure to keep the circle rotating so that it does not overheat and catch fire. Continue to gently melt the edges of each petal until you have gone all the way around. Do this with each layer.

Fabric Flower Tutorial: Step 5

5. Sew (or glue) the petal layers together.

Using a needle and thread, create a beginning knot and then sew the layers together. You can come up through the top because the center  of the top layer can be covered by a button or  bead. To finish the flower, sew (or glue) the button or bead on top.

If you would like to add extra stability to the flower, you can sew or glue a piece of felt onto the back (make sure it is large enough to give good stability, but small enough so that it won’t be seen from the top).

For a hair accessory, you can sew or glue the back of the flower to the back of a bobby pin, ponytail holder, or snap-clip.

For a broach, you can sew or glue them onto a broach pin or even a safety pin.

And the list could go on of how these flowers can add extra beauty!
What are some of your ideas?

And remember: every flower will turn out differently and that is part of the beauty!

(Thank you, Breezy (my artist sister), for being such a wonderful hair and hand model!)

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  1. 314 Responses to “Tutorial: How to Make Lovely Fabric Flowers”

  2. Melissa on Nov 3, 2011 said:

    I made these tonight and they turned out great! Thanks for the wonderful idea. This will entertain me for hours and make great gifts. Thanks!


  3. sharmistha on Nov 5, 2011 said:

    I know exactly what to do this weekend. What a lovely idea! Thanks.


  4. Kathie on Nov 9, 2011 said:

    Would you be willing to tell me the diameters of the circles you used. Also, you said that this will work with any shiny fabric. Will it work with polyester? Also, will it work with lining fabric.

    One tip I’ve tried, is to put the tea light in a small canning jar, I think they are 8 oz. canning jar. They are about 3 to 3 1/2 inches tall. This distance from the flame keeps you from getting too close to the flame, and then, when you are finished, you just blow out the tea light and save it in the jar for the next time you make fabric flowers.


  5. Kim on Nov 10, 2011 said:

    Just wanted you to know that I love the tutorial and the pictures. I made my first flower last night, because I was so excited to try it. One quick bit of info is that the fabric needs to be polyester and not acetate. I had some polyester satin on hand and it worked great. I picked up some cheap “satin” today that was made of acetate and it just burns! Scary and smelly too!


  6. Borders on Nov 14, 2011 said:

    Thank you for the nice tutorial. These flowers would make great gifts :)


  7. Hannah on Nov 16, 2011 said:

    I love this flower!!!! I’ve mad around 8 now. I’ve found that rounding the edges make a better flower. You can make them in all sizes, and they make great gifts!!


  8. Emily Rose on Nov 17, 2011 said:

    Kathie, I have not experimented with very many fabrics, so I cannot help much there. But the diameters of the circles we have used for flowers are: 3 5/8″, 3 3/8″, 3 1/16″, 2 3/4″, 2 3/8″, and 2″. I hope that is helpful! God bless, Emily Rose


  9. Ramya on Nov 18, 2011 said:

    Gorgeous flowers, very pretty. What a nice technique to make silken flowers!


  10. Halsey on Nov 18, 2011 said:

    I’ve been searching for a tutorial that made the fabric flowers look real and not fake, and this is so easy! I’ll be making sashes and hairpieces for my bridesmaids in my wedding, so this helps a lot and saves me plenty of money! Thank you!!!!


  11. Miranda @ The Bright Side of Reality on Nov 21, 2011 said:

    THANK YOU for sharing this! I LOVE these and I’ve been wanting to make something similar to match my wedding dress next year and this is perfect.


  12. Melanie Webb on Nov 26, 2011 said:

    I am the activities director in an assisted living home. This will be a fun project and they will love wearing them in their hair :) Thank you!!


  13. April on Dec 1, 2011 said:

    I have two little girls who I love to dress up and very little money to work with , these flowers make it posable !!! Thank you so much for sharing


  14. Annie on Dec 1, 2011 said:

    Oh I love this! The finished flower is so pretty and elegant. I can’t wait to try making one. I’ve been searching for some great holiday gift ideas, and this might just be perfect!

    xoxo,
    annie


  15. Emily Suzanne on Dec 8, 2011 said:

    Miss Emily Rose,

    Thank-you so much for this tutorial! It looks lovely and easy, and I can’t wait to try it! My sister and I have been wanting to start up a shop on Etsy, and these will help a lot, I’m sure. :-D

    In Christ,

    Emily Suzanne


  16. Jana on Dec 9, 2011 said:

    Wow!!! I love it!!!


  17. Casey on Dec 12, 2011 said:

    What type of fabric did you specifically use for these flowers? I read here to not use a acetate satin. Are there different types of silk?


  18. Valerie on Dec 13, 2011 said:

    These are gorgeous! I’m getting married in a year and a half and I’m looking for ideas for flowers for my bridesmaids to carry. I’m making a brooch bouquet for myself but was finding it hard to come up with an idea for my girls. I saw a picture of a bride carrying a giant flower (real) and I absolutely love the look but real flowers are expensive so I was looking for a tutorial on how to make a fabric flower and this is the most beautiful and the easiest one I’ve found! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!


  19. Lisa @ Snappy Gourmet on Dec 24, 2011 said:

    Beautiful!


  20. Clotilde M/Craftybegonia on Dec 27, 2011 said:

    Very lovely tutorial! I’m a Christian too and love the fact that you make reference to the dear Christ. God bless!


  21. Michele, Alaska on Dec 30, 2011 said:

    I made my first brooch tonight in 20 minutes and love it. I am making 20 more for gifts. Great idea! Thanks for posting! I used 100% polyester silk-look fabric. My fabric store had it in 17 colors! Try it everyone. So easy and gorgeous results!


  22. Emily on Jan 1, 2012 said:

    They really are pretty. I looked at JoAnnes for the Synthetic silk and could not find any. Where is the best place to buy it for the flowers?


  23. Isabel on Jan 2, 2012 said:

    I noticed that in the tutorial, in the step where you are to melt the edges of the fabric with a flame, it doesn’t mention using any sort of protective respirator mask. I would recommend using one for this step, because melting this type of fabric releases harmful fumes. I know someone who ended up in the ER as a result of doing something similar. Just thought I would mention it. Otherwise, I love the tutorial!


  24. PILAR RUIZ on Jan 3, 2012 said:

    Muy bella la flor y muy gráfico el tutorial.
    Gracias desde Barcelona,Spain.


  25. Cathy Schwegel on Jan 3, 2012 said:

    Cute flowers, I just started carrying silk/cotton blend fabric by Robert Kaufman called Radiance. Have you tried using this fabric?


  26. sonia on Jan 6, 2012 said:

    I didn’t think it would work but it did! I’ve been trying to make silk roses for ages. At last I have it taped and it’s so easy. Thanks a lot.
    Greeting from the tip of Africa.


  27. Paula on Jan 9, 2012 said:

    I make and sell my silk flowers but have never made them with the slits in the fabric, this is definitely something I am interested in trying, thank you for sharing, Paula


  28. Shea Drake on Jan 15, 2012 said:

    I just wanted to thank you for writing this. I was looking for flowers to make last night for a black birdcage veil I’m making for an upcoming photoshoot and fell in love with yours instantly. I tried it immediately with some scraps I had and it turned out great. I cannot wait to make more. Thanks so much!


  29. Darlene Schieltz on Feb 9, 2012 said:

    Thank you for this blog. I would appreciate a response. I want to make large roses for each end of a sheer swag for a large window. Will using sheer material work? I think my flowers would have to be at least 8″ wide. Any help you could give would be so appreciated!! God bless!


  30. ellenfaie on Feb 13, 2012 said:

    Thank you for sharing the tutorial for this craft! I have begun making this type of flower for gifts. Your blog gave me the confidence to try it out. Thank you again!


  31. ellenfaie on Feb 13, 2012 said:

    I forgot to write that I have posted pictures of the flowers I have made so far. The link will take you to pinterest to my “pretty Crafty” board.
    Thank you again!


  32. Tabassum on Feb 14, 2012 said:

    this is great! im gonna try it.


  33. Coleen on Feb 17, 2012 said:

    Love your tutorial, I linked it to my blog… Hope you don’t mind. Coleen


  34. Jan on Feb 18, 2012 said:

    Thank you so much-I am very excited to make some of these! My mom wants to make some too! Gods love to you!


  35. Patricia on Feb 20, 2012 said:

    I just love this!! I tried it and I loved my own too. :) Thank you!!!!


  36. Petra on Feb 29, 2012 said:

    Lovely and very unique! What a great way to create something special and individual. Definitely for every girl, thank you!


  37. Kaushki on Feb 29, 2012 said:

    These are so cute! I think we could pin them on shoes! I think the mochi (someone who makes shoes in india) could make a pair of pale blue formal chappals (indian slippers) and I could make some pale blue flowers and add these on the chappals. I’ll wear them on my sister’s shaadi (wedding)


  38. Reena Kumari on Mar 1, 2012 said:

    We can use synthetic fabric of any type. I used polyester. I made a hair clip


  39. Mrs. Landa on Mar 7, 2012 said:

    I am planning my wedding which is in September and I have been looking for DIY wedding decorations and such. I’m definitely going to make one of these to wear in my hair and maybe my bridesmaids hair. Thank you for this(:


  40. Tânia Jardim on Mar 11, 2012 said:

    Amei seu blog … linda flor. Vou tentar fazer a minha. Parabêns.
    Beijos.


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