Materials
- Felt die cuts in assorted colours
- Sequins
- Beads
- Stranded cotton in matching colours
You can either plan ahead the final design or just improvise like I do.
The following are just recommendations rather than a tutorial on how to embellish a felt flower.
Start with a collection of die cuts in felt. My die cuts are store bought but this can be done with hand cut felt shapes just as well.
Before stitching the felt shapes together, arrange them in any way you feel fit.
Place layer after layer.
At this stage we’re only working out which design works best.
Another combination.
Once you are done you’ve chosen your petal combination you are ready to add sequins, beads and embroidery stitches.
Embellishing the flowers
If you work with several shapes pin them to the previous layer.
Then, stitch the top layer to the base using decorative stitches.
There are a number of stitches you can use for the outline of the petals. My favourites are running stitch or blanket stitch.
I used running stitch for the darker petals.
And blanket stitch for the green petals.
Now attach the next layer, and the next. In this case I stitch layer 3 and 4 at the same time by adding some long stitches and attaching beads on each petal on the top flower.
When stitching each layer you can decide if you will embellish each layer completely separately or at the end or you’ll do a mix. I find it is easier to embellish during and after all layers are stitched together.
Sometimes it’s best to wait to place the top layers to know how much space will be left for certain embellishments. For instance you can add a small bead about anywhere but a sequin requires more space.
For instance I embellished the second last layer first because I wanted to use long stitches that would be visible under the petals of the green top flower.
I added sequins and beads to layers 1, 2 and 3 after all layers had been stitched together.
Close up.
Use more or fewer sequins/beads or embroidery as required.
Use interesting colour combinations.
Now I just to have to figure out what to do with all the flowers! Any suggestions?
Its wonderful what a little bit of something can be turned into pieces of beauty. We just need to let our minds enjoy the process.
These are beautiful ! Thanks for sharing.
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Very inspiring! Thanks for sharing your process.
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Wreath!
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Very cute! Can they be washed? (hand or machine) I’d put them on front of purse or tote.
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Maybe if you use a gentle program you can wash them.
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I think you should use them to decorate your christmas tree this year, or to make cool mobile hanging from the roof.. great idea¡
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I think I’ll make some and attach them to gifts along with a simple tag and brown kraft paper. Thanks!
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How cute are these. I hotglued a Large family intil. in the center and put a magnet on the back and gave as stocking stuffer for fellow employee gift. just a little something to let people you work with know that you think of them over the holidays.
Thanks
carroleshatbox
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These are just wonderful! I am going to make them a bit smaller and use them as barrettes in my granddaughter’s hair. Thanks so much for sharing your imagination and giving me the kick-start I need.
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These flowers are turning to be very versatile! I’ll post something when I use them.
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They are gorgeous. I made some similar flowers, although not as beautiful as these, and attached them to the front of some washbags I gave to the kids teachers at the end of the year last year.
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Where do you get felt die cuts from in Australia?
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Hi Ellie I buy mine from etsy: http://www.etsy.com/search?q=Felt%20die%20cut&order=most_relevant&view_type=gallery
They’re light so shipping from around the world is cheap.
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Thank you for helping with my creativity block.
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The first thing I thought of when seeing these is I need them for my scrapbooking projects and altered boxes etc!!! So pretty thank you!!
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I am thinking of a totebag or a fun head band, or stitching on a store bought sweater or top, maybe even a wall hanging. They are so beautiful, I will try some. I wonder if a paper die cut machine will work on felt? Anybody try it?
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Teresa, thanks for your ideas. I have a Folkwear pattern to make my self a hat and I am sure I’ll be able to use at least on of your flowers for embellishment. Thanks a lot.
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So many good ideas.
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These are just gorgeous!!! And I love the magnet as well as the hanging mobile ideas that were mentioned! I want to try making giant ones and see how it works out… 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
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so great for my beginners sewing clas of 3-5 graders. I teach an afters enrichment class in sewing and embroidery. thanks for a wonderful idea
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Hi. I found this post through Pinterest. I am wanting to make them for an adoption fundrasier.
WHERE did you buy your shapes? I have looked everywhere I know… to know avail.
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Thank you for the wonderful ideas so insiprational.
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beautiful flower,,, useful,, i love it,,,try to do the same..
thanks..
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Lovely, creative work!
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Well, here is exactly what you should do with these totally exquisite flowers. Put them in an envelope, and mail them right away to me.
Send me an email, and I will send you my address immediately.
Thank you so much.
THESE FLOWERS ARE GORGEOUS!!! (did I spell that right?? no matter, they are wonderful)
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Now, that’s an use I hadn’t thought about Patricia. LOL.
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I think these would look fabulous paired with denim …. maybe patchwork with a diff flower on each square, a denim pillow or apron. You could use velcro to attach them so they wouldnt need to go thru a machine.
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I like the velcro idea Kathleen. Thanks! Teresa
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Love these flowers! The first thing I thought was to sew or hot glue a brooch clip to the back and wear them as pins on anything you are wearing!
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Thanks for the great tutorial. I just posted my creations on Pinterest. http://www.pinterest.com/pin/359021401516571540/
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These are lovely and a great way for me to use up my leftover felt and beads!
Thanks for the excellent instructions and ideas.
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These are just gorgeous! I love fabric flowers, embroidery and sequins, so these are just perfect for me! 🙂 Lisa
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These would be wonderful on a bracelet. Maybe leather? or canvas? Lace?
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