Tutorial A Fabric Flower brooch

Sorry that this has taken soooo long but here it is;

This is really a little origami with fabric, and it works out equally well in paper.... cards... maybe?

Requirements;

I made my brooch using all the same fabric, but it can look equally pretty if you make the large petals in one fabric and the small petals in a contrasting fabric. You can make the flower with petals all the same size if you wish and can even throw caution to the wind and have each petal in a different colour.... just have fun with it.

These flowers can be used as an embellishment for all kind of things - think of a smaller flower used to adorn headbands or hair clips or fixed on to bags.

• fabric - enough to cut six 3 1/2 inch squares (for the large petals) and six 2 1/2 inch squares (for the small petals)
• matching thread
• needle
• scissors
• button - for the centre. (Beads can look good too)
• brooch back
• a small piece of felt to create a backing for the flower
• fabric glue (optional)

This first step is a little unusual, thread your needle. (You'll be grateful.... really you will) I use a double thread and tie a neat knot in the end. Then place a square of fabric right side facing down and fold diagonally, corner to corner to make a triangle.

Next, take the bottom left corner of the triangle and fold it over to meet the point.

O.K. This next step will test how nimble your fingers really are....

Fold the bottom right corner over to meet at the top, in exactly the same way as you did with the first corner.

You are now looking at something which is square in shape with the folded seams down the middle.

Holding on firmly to the square, turn it over, so that it's face down on your mat, table or whatever.

Can you still feel the folds with your finger? Bring the bottom corner over to the middle and hold in position. .

Then, fold the other corner into the middle. You should be looking at a kind of irregular shaped hexagon of fabric.....

which is probably making a bid for freedom, trying to escape and unfold itself, but onwards....

Now, fold the two straight edges together as if you were closing a book.

If you look at the shape you should have oneside that looks like this; folds at the top and open edges at the bottom.

Don't let go....

Now for some sewing. I know that it's more usual to just thread these petals together at this point but I've sometimes found that the folds at the back can spring open. So, just to make sure that they don't, I put a little stitch at the bottom - like so. (Now you're pleased we threaded the needle first aren't you? Caused me some grief that step....)

Next cut off the triangle of fabric at the bottom of the fabric shape - if makes it easier to gather up the petals when you've finished because it elimnates this unnecessary bulk.

....seriously large scissors !...

That's it, your first petal.... now you just have to make the others...

When you've made all your petals, the next step is to string them together. Use a doubled thread - don't forget the knot in the end and string one large petal, followed by one small petal etc until all the petals are strung together. Don't pull too tightly.

.. beginning to look pretty isn't it?

Once all the petals have been strung together, pass the needle back through the first petal to join the circle.

... almost there - just the finishing touches

I used a 29mm cover button, covered in the same fabric as my flower. (See this tutorial - Link). Again, you can use any kind of button or beads just to finish and decorate the middle of your flower.

Looking at your flower you may wish to just manipulate the flower petals into position before sewing on the felt. I think that this flower looks neater and more pleasing to the eye, if the top and bottom petals are opposite one another with the large side petals sticking out a bit like butterfly wings. The smaller petals will then sit nicely in-between.

It sometimes helps to use a little fabric glue to secure the button tightly to the flower (eliminates wiggles! - if you know what I mean) but I would always sew the button on too.

Use a little glue - just around the edge...

The next step involves cutting a small round of felt to create a backing for the brooch. It doesn't need to be large because there's no unsightlness involved in making this, but it gives something to sew a button and a brooch back on to.

Sew on your felt, but don't pull too tightly or you risk distorting the shape.

Sew on the brooch back - turn it over and admire it.

Pleased with it ?

Comments

[PennyDog]

Brilliant!

[nickynackynoo]

Beautiful. Thank you!

[Sam]

ooo that's great! thanks for the tutorial :)

[Topcat]

Pleased with it? Are you kidding? ...fabric, buttons AND origami? I won't sleep tonight for making these (you had me at tutorial).
Thanks, really clear instructions and a beautiful result...wanders off to raid the stash...

[maria]

Thanks for the tutorial, I'm going to have a go soon.

[JuliaB]

Lovely! I was wondering how to make these.. x

[Andrea]

Sophie and Ilove these and we shall certainly be having a go at these. Sophie has said that she must finish her felt egg cosy first! Me? I'm cutting out me squares come what may!
xx

[Kitty]

I absolutely love this brooch Julia - thank you so much for the tutorial. I am definitely going to have a go - you're now bookmarked and in my 'craft bits' folder! x

[chickadee cards]

Beautiful!

[Gill]

That's really lovely, I might have to buy some fabric now to go with my polymer buttons!!

[cherrie]

This is so much easier than I imagine it would be. Thanks for the great tutorial. I just know I will be requested to make some. Cherrie

[Glamglass]

That is lovely!! A very effective design. Thanks for sharing that!

[Ali]

Super super gorgeous. Thanks for writing it up - with such great photos too.

[Debbie]

This has to be the prettiest flower brooch around, thank you for sharing.

[dottycookie]

Those are so lovely - I had a go and I fear they are going to be addictive!

Thanks for writing it up.

[Helen]

I love making these! Great tutorial and very clear - I like the way you varied the petal size - I never thought of doing that, but it looks really effective.

[missdee]

how beautiful. Thank you

[Alison]

This is really sweet, thanks for sharing.

[Marion McCarthy]

Just loved the flowers. Will be making some to put on my granddaughters cardigans. I'm sure they will want to make them too. thank you. Marion

[Khristina]

ohhh how cute is this....I am going to put a link on my Freebies blog if thats okay to direct them here...hugs Khris

[Sandy]

This is just the cutest brooch and so easy to make with your great tutorial I'm so happy I found your site thanks so much for sharing it with all of us who would never have come up with the idea on our own thank God for people like you with this great talent!!

[Kara]

These are gorgeous! Thanks so much for the wonderful tutorial.

[Ita]

thanks for the tutorial, what a cute flowers..i'm going to make a bunch of it.

[Tiffany]

Lovely! I'm linking from my blog!

[hair accessories]

That is lovely! Making that little flower is so much fun. Thanks for the great tutorial, all the step by step photos really helped! I'm going to try it =)