Many of you asked about the flower that I attached to Chloe’s Color Block Dress from the other day.
It wasn’t part of the pattern that I used to make the dress…….but I just had to add it! :)
I mentioned that it was a simple little flower and actually thought I had shared it before. Nope.
But really, this little flower can be added to dresses, shirts, to a tote or handbag, hair clips, headbands, etc. And if I keep going, I’m going to start saying to add it to things like light switches and computer monitors……..so I better stop! Ha.
So here you go…….now go crazy with it! :)
I decided to add some to headbands for Elli and Chloe. And you know, as long as flowers have been around, I’m still far from tired of seeing them in my girls’ hair. (And the red one just happened to be perfect for Elli’s Valentine outfit she put together.)
And they’re equally cute on clothing, just like the Color Block Dress. But just imagine this on a plain ol’ Tshirt. So much CUTER. (And did I mention really cheap?)
They are made from knit fabric…..so no fraying. And if you’re like me, you have plenty of old Tshirts you could cut up and use. :)
Such a fun little flower, with minimal effort.
Now Elli and Chloe…..LISTEN UP!! Please oh please love on each other like this, when you’re 16 and 12. And while we’re at it…..show this same type of excitement when I offer to make you things when you’re that age too.
Ready to make your own flower??
To make these flowers, the best type of fabric is knit. It won’t fray and keeps its shape pretty well. However, you can use a woven type of cotton fabric…..but it will fray slightly. To keep fraying to a minimum, cut your strips on the bias. (What does cutting on the bias mean?)
Cut some 1-2 inch wide strips of knit from Tshirts or purchased knit fabric. (The width of your strips and the amount you need, depends on how big of a flower you’re making. You may have to experiment a little.)
Cut a circle from felt or another sturdy fabric, to use as your base.
Then, sew a basting stitch along one long edge of each strip. I actually used elastic thread in my bobbin and “shirred” the strip. That way, I didn’t have to do any gathering or pulling of the threads. It sped up the process tremendously. (Need more info on Elastic Thread and Shirring??) But if you don’t have any elastic thread, just sew you long-stitch basting stitch along one side and then start gathering in your strip of fabric nice and even. (Need more info on Gathering Fabric??)
Now, starting with the outer edge of your felt circle, begin pinning the gathered strip of fabric around the contour of the circle (and pin in place if needed).
Then begin sewing the strip right to the circle, sewing right on top of the line of gathering.
Continue your way around the circle, adjusting the strip as you go. Once you make it all the way around, begin guiding the strip to start spiraling inwards just a bit, to start the next layer of the flower.
And if your strip runs out…….grab your next strip, fold over the end……..
……and overlap it right over the end of the first strip. Then continue sewing.
Keep sewing around and around…..until you can’t add any more rows.
Cut off the end and then trim the edges to even out each layer of the flower.
For the center, grab an extra section of the fabric strip and tie a very loose knot in the middle.
Then tie it in a knot again……very loosely.
Then, tuck the ends under and place the knot in the center of the flower. If you’re using this flower as a headband, just hot glue it right in place. However, if you’re using it for clothing (that needs to be washed and dried), use a needle and thread to attach the knot to the middle, keeping the thread hidden from the back.
Now, attach the flower to your clothing, secure to a tote, or attach to some elastic for a headband. Cute and scrappy little flowers!
Enjoy!
-Ashley
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Hi, I’m Ashley—the DIY-enthusiast behind this crazy blog!
