Flower Brooch

I been making little things this week - easy, sit in front of the TV type of thing.  I was really pleased with these brooches and loved playing around with the different fabrics and finding just the right vintage button to finish each one off.

They're super easy to make and a great way to use up fabric scraps- so as it's been a while since I did a tutorial, I decided to do one!

Cut a strip of fabric around 10 inches long and between 2 & 4 inches wide (the wider the strip, the bigger the finished flower will be.)

Fold the fabric in half length ways and iron it so that you have a nice crisp fold.

Then take some threat and do a row of running stitch along the raw edge - about 1/8th inch from the edge.  You want to leave a long tail at the beginning of the row.

When you've completed your row of running stitch, pull both sides of the thread together and knot in the middle.  This will pull the fabric into a circular 'ruffle'

For extra security, I did another row of running stitch around the middle of the 'flower' and secure with a knot.

Then take a small square square or circle of felt and sew onto the back of the flower.  This provides a good base to secure your pin and button too.

Now choose a nice contrasting or toning button and sew it into the center of the flower, securing it to the felt at the back. 

Using a glue gun, secure a brooch pin to the back of the brooch.

Finally, for neatness, trim the first piece of felt and then take a circle of felt and glue it to the back of the brooch, over the pin back.

Then use then as you will - maybe to adorn a coat, or brighten up a plain hat or bag - I mean, what can't be brightened up with a funky flower?

Jo x

 

Comments

[Ruth]

Thanks for the tutorial. I've been thinking about fabric flowers all week so it's great to see how one's made.

[vicki]

These are very cute, retro looking! You could put one anywhere!
So springy
Vicki

[Marie]

What cute fabric flowers!
Thank you so much for putting this tutorial together.
I do have one question though: do you do anything about the frayed edges? Do they just disappear once you gather it?
I'd like to try using this for an apron I'm making. Thanks again!

[Jo]

Hi Marie

I try and sort of tuck the edges in so that they're at the back of the brooch - but to be honest, I've left them at the front on a couple of them and they look fine - you could always hem them or use fray stop I suppose if you wanted them super neat.

[Twiggypeasticks]

Fantastic brooches, and great tutorial. Will have a go at these this weekend. thanks
Twiggy x

[Guaya]

HOla, You have been tagged by me.
now you have to tag 7 more people.
http://guaya.wordpress.com/2008/04/08/you-have-been-tagged/

[writerbug]

I love these! And I love the bag you showed above. And I would be insanely excited to receive that bag or any homemade gift, so poo on your friend who didn't even say thank you!!

[yaren]

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[Becky]

I've been making some of these for Mother's day cards—pinning them on the front—and found that they work best if you use the ratio 2 inches wide by 10 inches long. The three inch wide pieces work best at 15 inches long and so on.

[mollye h]

Hi, I just wanted to thank you for the tutorial. I made a dress for my daughter that turned out a little bleak at the bodice so she and I whipped up a few of your flowers and it turned out perfect. I would love it if you checked it out on my blog (btw, I linked to you)-- godigojar@blogspot.com
Thanks again, Mollye