Fabric Flowers

I had a request for a tutorial on the fabric flowers I've made recently.  I didn't realize how tricky it is to write one of these, so if I leave any important information out, let me know.  These flowers are easy to make.  And quick.

Materials:
templates- download here
fabric
scissors
small piece of felt in a coordinating color
needle and coordinating thread
pin back
button to be covered and small amount of fabric to cover it (or any button you choose)
fabric glue (optional)

1. Cut out the number of flowers needed as indicated on the templates in your chosen fabrics.  Here I've used only one fabric, but you could mix fabrics any way you like.  Cut into each flower where the dotted line indicates, optimizes flower flutterability.

2. Stack the two large flowers on top of each other.

3. Fold each of the smaller flowers in half and lay them on the larger flowers, overlapping them similar to the way I've done here.

4. With needle and thread, make small stitches at the center, through all layers, to secure the flower petals and hold everything together.  Don't clip thread until after step 5.

5. Cover the button with your chosen fabric if using a fabric-covered one, then using the same thread you used in step 4, attach button to the center of the flower.

6. Cut the piece of felt in a nice rounded shape, large enough to sew the pin back onto, but not too big to show from the front of the pin.  Secure the pin back on to the felt, then sew the felt to the center of the back of the flower (I blanket stitch all around the edge).  I like to use a bit of fabric glue behind the felt, just because I like things permanently in place.  Perhaps I've seen too many wardrobe mishaps in the world.  When I can secure, I definitely secure.

7. At this point, your hands should hold a finished flower.  Or, in my case, a finished "paper" flower.

If you make any flowers, would you let me know?  I'd love to see them.  I can't seem to stop making them.

This finished flower is the charm on "Clara", the newest bag to go up in the shop.

There are some really fun fabrics in this one.  I jumped up and down when I saw the newsprint fabric, I've been looking for something like this for a year, since I found this.  And speaking of great fabric, did you see all the new Japanese import fabric in at Reprodepot (scroll down the page)?  They have practically all the fabric pictured here!  Unfortunately, I found it after I ordered way too much of this from Cia.  I'm done for now.  But maybe you're not.

Comments

[anjo]

OMGOSH! Thank you so much...you must be a crafty-mind-reader as the past few days I have been searching all over the net for a simple fabric flower pattern. Yay! And what a great tutorial it is...lovely...your flower is grand. Since I could find one I liked at the time, I just made a little felt flower for my gurlies skirt, but I cannot wait to try one of yours.

Thanks again!
xo

[Liesl]

Thanks for posting this - it's always great when bloggers share their techniques, and your flowers a really beautiful. Cheers!

[eireann]

I love that printed newspaper fabric. Is it from Japan?

[Amanda8]

Thanks so much. I can't wait to make some!

[molly]

tutorials are hard to write...i started one a few weeks ago, but then gave up after seeing how utterly pathetic my photography was. your directions are great. i'm thinking this will be on the "fun things to try after i've packed up my belongings and moved family family half way across the country" list....no seriously, I WILL try! and i wear mine a lot! makes me feel warm and cozy!

your new bag is awesome. i love that newsprint fabric and the little flower with it...although a pale colored purse like that for me, would be very dangerous. i'm sure it would have apple juice stains on it in no time flat!!!
keep the bags coming. i love them and you know i'm a-savin'!!

[Robin]

Thank you for the tutorial! I was just thinking that I need to figure out how to make one of those lovely fabric pins! Perfect for spring!

[Julia]

Excellently executed tutorial, Blair. And clara is adorable...I love the chicks peeking out along with the dots and the words fabric...you have quite a good eye for matching great fabrics. I love it!

[sally]

Thanks so much for the great tutorial Blair! I love your flower pins. I hope to make a few this week since I just acquired some new spring-y fabric!

[amanda]

great tutorial!! And gosh, that newsprint fabric IS amazing!!

[Sandrine (alias Didine!)]

Thank you sooooooo much for this tutorial !! Oh please please please can you tell me wher you bought this amazing black and white fabric with words ???? Oh PLEASE !!! Thanks :) Hugs

[Kristin]

Great tutorial! Thank you so much!

[Strikkelise]

I always love your bags, but this one was really special. Great colours. Thanks for the great tutorial!

[Claire]

Clara is so pretty! that's my favourite one of your lovely bags so far.
Thank you so much for the flower tutorial, I'll be sure to show you my efforts.

[lisa]

oh my! i love that bag. i need to find $60 so i can buy one.

[Toni]

Beautiful bag Blair. And your tutorial is fabulous...you are a natural! :) Thanks for sharing the "how-to's"

[abbyjane]

Thanks for the tutorial. Like others before me I'm asking where you found the newsprint fabric. I love fabric with text on it.

[Blair]

I found the newsprint fabric at my local fabric store, and the manufacturer is Blank Textiles.

http://www.blank-textiles.com/template.cfm?page=groupFabric

If anyone finds it online, will you let me know?

[Stephanie]

you can buy it here:
http://www.fabricdepot.com/product.aspx?ItemKey=12907

this fabric store is local to me, but i've never seen the fabric in the shop (it's huge).

the new bag is awesome, but my lovely ruth will always be my favorite (and is getting tons of compliments).

[lyn]

Great tutorial. Thank you Blair. : )

[the painted pear]

That is a very nice tutorial. I think it is really nice of you to share your creation. And I really like your bags. You use a really nice palette of colors!

[Jessica]

Wow, I love that newsprint fabric bag! Saw your blog link on the whip up site and put your site on mine. I'm pretty new to crafting and impressed by all the talented crafters and their blogs. Everytime I see a crafty site I admire I go like this :0
Yours was no exception.

[Max]

Just to let you know that I just made some of your flower pins. Thank you so much for your tutorial! It was so simple to follow, I will definitely be making more. :)

[EmmaC]

I made one of your flower brooches. Thank you for the great instructions! It gets the honour of first picture in my flickr account :-)

[linda harre]

I love your bags and went to your shop to see how much they were.......but no bags! Are you planning on putting them up for sale? Any price info yet? They are DARLING! I make bags also, but would love to be carrying one of yours. Pins are really cute.....thanks for sharing the tricks of the trade. ~L.

[patricia]

Thanks SOOO much for the tutorial! I too have been looking for a simple, elegant, and *fluttery* flower pin pattern, and yours is the best I've seen!