DIY: How to Make a Silk Flower Brooch or Hair Accessory

I love this simple, easy project! I made my first silk flower hair wrap a few days ago, and I have a hunch there are plenty more to come. They're a bit vintage (Edwardian, perhaps?), whimsical and definitely feminine.

First, here's what you need:

1. Silk fabric (or synthetic silky fabric, which is cheaper).For mine, I just picked up a pair of silk pajama pants from my neighborhood thrift store ($4). Needless to say, you'll have enough material to make 8 or more from just one pair of pants.

2. Candle

3. Scissors

4. Pipe cleaner

5. Needle and thread

6. Faux pearl beads for flower center

7. Floral tape (optional

Cut out some circles from your fabric. The largest one will be the diameter of your flower. Make each successive circle a bit smaller. I like to make my circles less than perfect so that they mimic the shape of real flower petals. 5-8 layers should do it.

Light your candle and carefully singe the edges of each circle. Be careful--it may ignite if you get the silk too close. Just blow it out if this does happen. As a safety precaution, I recommend keeping some water in a bowl right next to you while you do this. Just in case.

Fold your pipe cleaner in half, and skewer each petal with the two ends of the pipe cleaner, pulling each circle all the way up to the bend in the pipe cleaner.

Next, stitch in your flower center of faux pearls.

I like to finish off my flowers with floral tape around the pipe cleaner. That way I can build up some thickness at the base of the flower and control the shape the petals take (so that they're not too floppy.)

Stick on any embellishments you're inspired to, then wrap around a ponytail or tuck into an updo and start looking lovely!

Please do post photos of your own flowers if you try it!