Crafting Fabric Flower Embellishments

In this guide learn to construct roses and carnations to embellish satchels, t-shirts, skirts, pants and sandals. Experiment with the five fabric flower designs using different types of material from sturdy denim and leather to lightweight chiffon and lace. It's easy to add this fashion idea to various pieces of wardrobe to create a fresh new look.

Fabric flowers abide in spring and summer fashion lines. Designers like Valentino attach large rosettes to purses, belts and tops. Viktor & Rolf decorate footwear with small 3-D floral. Alberta Ferretti, Chanel, H&M and Yves Saint Laurent, among others, embellish with flowers in their 2010 spring and summer lines. With a little creativity, it is possible to mimic the romance and playfulness found on the runways with these DIY flowers.

Five fabric flowers to create for 2010 spring and summer wardrobe

1) Fabric Flower

Time: 25 min
Need: 4" x 30" fabric, sewing machine, thread, scissors
Optional: button, sequins, safety pins

There are two methods of forming the first flower. Both begin by folding fabric in half with right sides together. Sew along one short and one long edge. Cut off each of the four corners. Turn right side out. Tuck remaining edge under and sew. This creates a rectangle with the right sides facing out. Both methods require stitching along the centerline. Use two different shades of color to create more depth.

Rose creation method one:

Back-stitch one edge, begin in the center and baste stitch the length, along the centerline. Leave a few inches of hanging thread. Pull thread and gently guide into a rosette. When finished, use the needle and thread to carefully pin down the center with a few stitches. Next pin down the outer edge of the flower in the same manner. Attach the rosette to a circle of fabric such as netting or felt by sewing the bottom edges of the flower to the base. Sew or safety pin to article of clothing or accessory.

Rose creation method two:

Draw a spiral onto circle of fabric, marking every 1/4" with marker or straight pin. Stitch along the centerline. Sew the length of the rectangle onto the circle of fabric, following the spiral markings. Bunch up the material slightly, between markings. Pin center down by pulling needle and thread width-wise, once up then down and onto the circle. Repeat with outer edge. Sew the flower to article of clothing or accessory.

2) Ribbon flower

Time: 15 min
Need: ribbon, needle, thread, scissors
Optional: round disc of fabric (felt, netting, etc)

Perhaps the easiest to form is the ribbon flower. Knot the thread, and sew into the very tip of the ribbon. Base stitch along the bottom edge by placing the stitches about 1\4" apart and alternating the needle entrance from top to bottom. Leave a few inches of string hanging to work with. Pull the string while holding the the opposite end, and see the ribbon start to curl onto itself. Keep pulling until the ribbon forms a rosette. The length and texture of ribbon determines the overall size. Sew the loose end to the flower and secure the entire flower to a small circle of netting or felt. Use a safety pin to place on clothing or accessory.

3) Temporary scarf rosette

Time: 5 min
Need: scarf, two safety pins

Use a square or rectangle scarf to create a temporary rose. Fold scarf lengthwise in half, repeat until the width is about two inches. Safety pin the center of the scarf to the item. Hold both ends together and begin twisting. Keep twisting until the fabric begins to fold up onto itself. Start forming a spiral and keep twisting until the ends reach the newly formed flower. Tuck the ends through the center and pull or pin the ends slightly under the rosette. Experiment with different widths and textures.

4) Three circle petals

Time: 15 min
Need: scrap fabric, needle, thread, scissors
Optional: button, sequins, safety pins, sewing machine

This flower consists of three panels. Each panel is created with three small circle petals. Start by drawing three circles onto a piece of cloth with chalk or marker. Draw the first two circles side-by-side and place the last one centered below them. Create circles by tracing round objects such as a half-dollar or juice glass. Cut the first panel by following the outside of each circle, curving the scissors in and out three times. Cut two more panels, each larger than the one before by repeating the instructions above using larger circles. If desired, embellish each petal by adding beads and sequins or sewing decorative stitches along the border. To create volume, turn petal over, pinch center and secure with two or three stitches. Place the two smaller panels in the middle of the largest, one on top of the other in descending width order. Secure the three panels together by sewing a decorative button in the center. Sew or pin in place.

5) Flower petals

Time: 30 min
Need: ribbon, needle, thread, scissors
Optional: round disc of fabric (felt, netting, etc)

Remove a petal from a favorite flower or free hand draw a petal onto a piece of paper and cut out. Cut five or more fabric petals. Fold petal in half and sew a few stitches from the end towards the center to create a pleat. Arrange petals to form a flower and secure with straight pins. Sew onto clothing.