Fabric Flowers

Here are a few easy options for making flowers out of fabric. You can make these all different sizes so they can be used for fascinators, smaller hair clips and pins, corsages, brooches, hats, shoes, and so on!

• For the Ranunculus style:

Fold your fabric in several halves to cut several at a time.
Print out the pdf I’ve provided or draw your own. Keep in mind that you need to set your printer to print at the size you are going to want. (If you’re wanting a very small flower, just use the same pattern but print it at 80% or 70% and so on.)
Use these irregular circles as your pattern. Cut out several of at least 3 sizes.  In the one above, I cut out at least 15 of 4 sizes.

Depending on what type of fabric you are using, this is the point that you may want to apply fray check to the edges of each pile as it is easiest when they are all stacked evenly.

Next, begin with your largest petal stack and re-layer them on top one another so the edges are staggered. Follow with the next smallest size, and then the next, as shown here.

This fabric doesn't photograph well but you get the idea.

Next, sew all these layers together through the center. You should add a bead or three (odd numbers tend to look best) there. I use DMC embroidery floss or dental floss for the strength. Just knot it underneath. You’ll end up hiding the knot when you attach the flower to something.
*Extra note: A lot of times, I will tie the knot but leaves some string tails. I use them later when I sew my flower to my clip or comb.

Now, you may notice all the petals are lying very flat and the flower has no oomf. We will fix that.

Begin from the bottom.
Go up about 10 petals or so.
Insert your needle from the TOP side of this petal, very near the center. Go ahead and go through 2 or three petals.
Don’t pull your thread all the way through.
Go back up through them about 1/8″ over.  Tie a knot very taught.
You will see that this “gathers” the fabric into a one little bump. Continue this a few more times throughout your flower on different layers on different sides.

Gather small parts to add some lift and texture.

Now you're ready to use your flower!

→Download Ranunculus pattern pdf here: Ranunculus

• For the purple one on the right

All 3 kinds

Choose one size from the pattern, trace it and cut out. You want about 20 layers of this one. If you want it to look more like a peony, you can round off those tips.

Cut!

Don’t forget your fray check (like I did) before you separate and re-layer your petals.

Layered

Fold in half.

and again.

Sew up the edge. Try to get through most of the petals.

→Download this flower pattern pdf here: flower
(Help me name this flower!)

• For the pansy style

And the last one is the simplest. This one will take you 6 minutes.

*For this one you just have to make sure your fabric is a synthetic nylon type of blend. 100% cotton won’t work on this baby. You need something that will melt.

Use the first Rananculus pattern (or draw some janky circles). You only need a few for this one!

Cut them out.

Burn the edges of each petal. Be careful! If you just hold it close to the flame, it can melt without catching on fire. If it does catch on fire, just blow it out. No biggie.

Now trim any excessively burnt edges. The idea is the melting creates texture and ripples and keeps the fabric from fraying so don't cut it all off.

Stack it and sew it! This is the easiest style to make very small for bobby pins.

♥♥♥

June 8, 2010. Tags: barrettes, d.i.y., fabric, fascinators, flowers, how to, make, sewing, stitching, tutorial. Art and Neat stuff. 3 comments.