Big and little artist

In every Cool “Mummy sewing workshop for children“, we make these flowers. They are so easy to make, popular with children, and so fabulous too. Kids love creating them from scraps of fabric, and the great news is that you don’t need a sewing machine HURRAY!

I saw them online on a website a long time ago and I have been desperately trying to find that site again, just to credit whomever invented these gorgeous flowers and thank them for their clever crafty ways.

To make these fabric flowers eco-friendly, how about you recycle old clothes to source the fabric? Your kids old clothes will do beautifully, recycle and cut them into scraps of fabric, and in doing so  you will also be doing your bit for our planet!

Anyways, here is the tutorial, enjoy making them and please do send some pictures of your creations so that I can upload them here and on my website.

You will need: 

1. Scraps of fabric. Any lightweight cotton will do.
2. Felt (for the backing, a small piece will do)
3. Needle
4. Thread
5. Scissors
6. Glass jar or cup
7. Pencil
8. Iron and ironing board

Step 1: 

Before you start, press your fabric with the iron to get rid of all creases. Now, trace circles onto the back of the fabric with the pencil. Remember, the larger the circle, the bigger your petals and flower will be. You need 5 circles to make 5 petals…You can use assorted fabrics for a funky vintage look.

Step 2:

Fold your fabric circles in half and press. Fold each of your half pressed circles again and press with the iron. See the pictures below for examples.

Step 3:

Thread your needle and double the thread for extra strength…Using a running stitch, start stitching along the curved edge of one of your folded circles. Start at one end and when you read the other end DO NOT CUT the thread. DO NOT knot the thread.

Step 4:

With the same thread (you will by now have one of your folded circles attached to the thread), start on the next folded petal in exactly the same way: from one end of the curved edge to the other. when you read the end, start again on the next petal. (remember not to cut the thread).

Step 5:

After you have stitched all 5 petals, you need to gather the fabric on each petal by pulling gently on the thread (have a look at the picture below). 

Step 6:

When you have gathered all 5 petals and shaped them, secure your flower by sewing the first petal and the last petal using a backstitch. Do not cut the thread because you need it to secure the button.

Step 7:

Choose a pretty button and sew the button to the centre of the flower. Bring the needle and thread to the back of the flower and secure with a few backstitches.

Step 8:

Almost done - Now, trace a small circle on your piece of felt and cut it. Stitch a pinback to your piece of felt then use fabric glue t0 attach it to the back of your flower (this will hide the messy bits). Personally, I don’t like fabric glue and prefer to use a blind stitch (or a blanket stitch) to secure the felt to the fabric.

…And…ta-da!!! pretty pretty flower 

Attach it to a headband to make a funky hair accessory, sew onto bags and coats, etc, etc, etc…The possibilities are endless!

I hope you enjoy this tutorial.

Please do send me pictures of the pretty flowers you make so that I can post pictures of them here