I know that there are about a bazillion flower tutorials out there, but I thought I'd share my way of making them. It's really quite simple.
Start out with about a 4" square of fabric - this will make one petal cluster for a flower of approximately the same size. You will need about 6-8 of these squares. For this particular flower I used 7 squares.
Fold in half.
Fold in half again, matching short sides.
Next, cut out an ice cream cone shape, with the folded corner of your square as the point of your cone. I used pinking shears, but this isn't necessary.
When you open it up it should look something like this:
Next, sew a circle around the center, just a simple running stitch.
Pull threads together, like a little drawstring, tie the two ends of the thread into a knot, then cut off the strings. It should look something like the photo below. I've learned that the bigger the circle, the more gathered the petal clusters become.
Repeat these steps for 6-8 petal clusters. The more petal clusters, the fluffier the flower.
Once you get them all gathered, string them on some thread. I like to use a double strand for strength.
Pull the thread together, like you did for each petal cluster. Tie in a knot and cut thread. At this point your flower should look like this:
The front and the back should look pretty much the same, so choose which ever side looks best to you. If you're making this as a brooch, then sew a pin onto some felt
.
Hot glue the felt onto the back of the flower, or you can sew the flower onto your project.
To finish, sew (or hot glue) a button to the front. Voila! A fluffy flower brooch.
I hope that was clear. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!
This was clear as mud! Thank you! I'm off to make flowers!
Cheers...
Posted by: Rosemary P. | February 13, 2007 at 06:08 PM
oh i *love* that!!!!! i'm gonna make me a fabric flower!!
(and very nice instructions. very thorough.)
Posted by: lera | February 13, 2007 at 06:10 PM
I LOVE your fluffy flowers...thanks for sharing Beki :)
Posted by: Catrina | February 13, 2007 at 06:35 PM
Ahhhh... that is great. I have been looking for a different looking fabric flower. You have made my day! Thanks for the tutorial.
Posted by: Me,MyselfandSewing | February 13, 2007 at 06:47 PM
that turned out so well! thanks for the tutorial.
Posted by: Dacia | February 13, 2007 at 07:53 PM
Cool! Thanks!
It looks just as great in person!
Posted by: claire | February 13, 2007 at 08:48 PM
Fantastic! Thanks for the tutorial. :-)
Posted by: Tofubaby | February 13, 2007 at 09:52 PM
Awesomely adorable! This is going on my project list.
Posted by: Elizabeth K | February 13, 2007 at 10:25 PM
How cute and fluffy! Thanks for the tut!
Posted by: joanna | February 13, 2007 at 11:26 PM
That's just how I do it! Great minds think alike, eh?
Posted by: Stacy | February 13, 2007 at 11:28 PM
Thank you!
Posted by: Julie K in Taiwan | February 13, 2007 at 11:59 PM
Thanks Beki!
Posted by: Kristy | February 14, 2007 at 02:57 AM
thanks for sharing this Beki - I'm going to try this next time I need some adornment for a hat or bag.
Posted by: Helen | February 14, 2007 at 03:30 AM
Very very cute...thanks!
Posted by: Karyn | February 14, 2007 at 05:20 AM
Ooh, I'll have to remember this one. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: meg | February 14, 2007 at 06:07 AM
Beki, you da man... or da wo-man! Thanks so much!
Posted by: autum | February 14, 2007 at 06:54 AM
Beki, I was just thinking, I needed to make something for the kindergarten teacher...this is a little more appropriate than a t-shirt! Thanks!
Posted by: Betsy | February 14, 2007 at 07:59 AM
This looks like a lot of fun. I'll make it a point not to rummage through all my scraps. Fun, fun, fun! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: LeeAnn | February 14, 2007 at 08:03 AM
Brilliant tutorial! Thanks.
Posted by: caroline | February 14, 2007 at 08:10 AM
very cute - and a nice clear tutorial - thanks!
Posted by: kirsten | February 14, 2007 at 08:14 AM