Saturday, June 2, 2012

Petal Flowers


Supplies:
Fabric: Satin, Tulle, etc.
Embellishments for center
Felt
Headband or Clips
Circle Template or Rotary Circle Cutter
Scissors
Needle
Thread
Pencil
Glue Gun

Step 1:  Cut circles out in varying sizes.  The more layers you have the puffier your flower will look.  Have a minimum of 8 layers.  Here is a circle template.


Step 2:  Cut 5 slits evenly around circle cutting about 1/3 of the way in.  This will form the petals.  You can do more or less if you prefer.
 
Step 3:  Begin cutting the corners of the slits to give the petals a rounded edge.  Do all the corners.

Step 4:  Using a heat source, such as a tealight or gas range, begin melting the edges.  I prefer to turn in the other petals to help keep them out of the way and it also helps create a roundness to the petal.  Do not put the petal too close to the fire or it will burn (blacken) and melt too much.  Always use safety measures when working with fire.  Keep a cup of cold water nearby.
 
Step 5:  It should look something like this after burning one petal.


Step 6:  Continue to melt the rest of the petals one at a time.  Be sure to melt all raw edges. 


Step 7:  This is what it should look like when done.  Notice the blackened edge.  That is from getting it too close to the fire.  Finish all flowers EXCEPT the tulle ones as they will melt entirely. 


Step 8:  Begin layering the petals in order by size.  Place the tulle in as well.


Step 9:  Using a needle and thread.  Tack the center of the flower by making an “X” stitch.  This stitch will hold the flower together.  It will also be hidden and not seen when embellishment is placed on to the flower.


Step 10:  Put a dab of glue on the embellishment.

Step 11:  Place embellishment in center of the flower covering the stitches.





Notice the difference with the top one which has 7 layers and the bottom that has 12-14 layers.  It makes and entirely different look.


Circle Flowers for Headband/Clips


Supplies:
*Fabric: Satin, Tulle, etc.
*Embellishments for center
*Felt
*Headband or Clips
*Circle Template or Rotary Circle Cutter
*Scissors
*Needle
*Thread
*Pencil
*Glue Gun

Step 1:  Cut circles out in varying sizes.  The more layers you have the puffier your flower will look.  Have a minimum of 8 layers.  Here is a circle template.

Step 2:  Using a heat source, such as a tealight or gas range, begin melting the edges. I like to hold it above and let it melt.  I do not hold it too close to the flame.  Do not put the edge too close to the fire or it will burn (blacken) and melt too much.  Always use safety measures when working with fire.  Keep a cup of cold water nearby. 
 
Step 3:  It should look something like this.  Continue with all remaining circles excluding the tulle. 


Step 4:  Begin layering the petals in order by size.  Place the tulle in as well.

Step 5:  Using a needle and thread.  Tack the center of the flower by making an “X” stitch.  This stitch will hold the flower together.  It will also be hidden and not seen when embellishment is placed on to the flower. 


Step 6:  Put a dab of glue on the embellishment.

 Step 7:  Place embellishment in center of the flower covering the stitches. 


Flower Headbands


Supplies:
Flowers
Felt
Headband
Needle
Thread
Scissors


Step 1:  Determine the amount of flowers you want to use and cut a piece of felt smaller than that. 

Step 2:  Stitch the flowers to the felt.  You may have to do it in more than one place depending on how your flower lays. 
Step 3:  After sewing all flowers onto felt, trim excess felt. 

Step 4:  Cut a felt strip that is no wider than 1 inch and about the same length as your felt on the flowers. 

Step 5:  Place felt on top of headband and felted flowers. 


Step 6:  Stitch felt to felt.  

Step 7:  This is how it should look when stitching is complete. 





Step 8:   Final product. 




Flower Clips


Supplies:
Flower
Clip
Felt
Needle
Thread
Scissors
Glue Gun



Step 1:  Fold a small piece of felt in half (Hot Dog Style) and put two small slits about 1/3 and 2/3’s of the way down.  The slits should be large enough for the clip to slide in when you have unfolded it.


Step 2:  Slide the clip onto the felt.  This is a view from the top. 

Step 3:  Using glue gun, glue the top part of the clip that is showing to the felt. 

Step 4:  Using about 18 inches of thread, thread your needle and knot it at the end.



Step 5:  With your needle and thread, sew the felt to the flower making sure that you do not go through all layers of the flower because you do not want your thread to show.

Step 6:  This is how the back of the flower will look when it is complete.

 Final Product: 



Duck Tape Ring

Supplies:
Duck Tape
Scissors





Step 1:  Cut the band.  It needs to be long enough to wrap around your finger and have some excess.  About 4 inches should be plenty.  


Step 2:  Trim off about 1/3 of the duct tape (hot dog style)  

Step 3:  Fold in half (hot dog style).  It maybe a little tricky because the tape does not want to fold in half.


Step 4:  Make sure that when you wrap it around your finger you have about 3/4 inch excess on both sides of duck tape. 


Step 5:  Using a small scrap of duck tape, tape the edges together.  Make sure that the ring band is not too tight.  It needs to be comfortable.  

 

 Step 6:  Fold the top in half.  This is the base of the flower where the petals will attach.  Double check that it is not going to be too tight on your finger.  Using the leftover tape, wrap it around the folded portion.


Step 7:  Cut out 20-30 squares the same size.  They can be small or large, but they must all be roughly the same size.

Step 8:  Fold the bottom corner of the square up almost the entire way. 


 Step 9:  Take the top right corner and fold it down leaving the sticky tape showing on the left side.


Step 10:  Begin by wrapping the first petal on to stem. 

 
Step 11:  Continue adding the petals to the flower.  Be cautious that you are not making the ring size too small.

Step 12:  Once you feel you have enough petals, determine if you would like one color or multiple colors to wrap around the bottom outside to help hold the petals together.


Finished Product


Note:  If your scissors get sticky, use rubbing alcohol and cotton ball to clean.