Yet Still Another Flower Tutorial

If you are a first-time visitor to my blog, welcome!

It's a small blog at this point, but I'm hoping it will continue to grow and grow!!

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It seems every craft/sewing site you visit has a version of some sort of

flower embelishment.

Well, this blog is no exception it seems. This is my own version of some of the

cute flowers seen on these sites. It's quick, a great scrap buster and

looks mighty nice

on stuff like bags, headbands, etc.

So here goes nothing...my first tutorial.

But everyone has to start somewhere, right?

You will need:

* Sewing machine, sissors, thread, pins, etc.

*Scraps of fabric

*Button for the center of flower

*Glue gun

* Something like a pin back or tie tack

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First create a pattern.

Basically, just find some circular thing that is the approximate size

that you want your flower to be and trace it.

I used a nickel to add the "scallops" that will be part of the petals

but find something

that works for the size you plan on doing.

Just make sure that there are 12 scallops around the circle.

This does not need to be perfect at all.

Cut out several flowers from your flower pattern.

I typically will cut out maybe 12-16 pieces of the pattern.

Do this in layers to save

time and sanity.

Each piece will be one petal of the flower.

How many you do just all depends on

how full you want the flower to come out.

Play around with it.

Take your sissors and cut between every 2 scallops (there should be 6 cuts).

Again, I cut these in stacks to speed things up.

But be careful not to cut too deep.

Just visualize a small circle in the middle and cut to and not into that circle.
Once you have all your petals prepared,

you're ready to build your flower.

Select one pattern piece and lay it out as your base.

Then take another pattern piece and fold it in half.

Then fold in in half again so that the layer is quartered.

Pin that quarter layer onto the base of your flower as shown below.

Fold another petal and pin down on the base beside the last layer.

Continue to do this until you have 4 quarters pinned to the base of the flower.

Set up your machine to a zigzag stitch,

drop the feed dogs if you can.

If not,

set your zigzag stitch to zero so that the feed dogs

do not advance your fabric or use a piece of tape to cover the feed dogs.

Some, not all,

sewing machines will come with a little plastic cover

that snaps on the throat plate that will cover the feed dog.

Which ever method you use, just make sure your fabric

isn't feeding through the feed dog.

The zigzag stitch should be around a 3 or so in width.

Place the first point of the layer under the pressure foot and

stitch that down using the zigzag stitch.

Remember, your fabric should not feed but stay stationary.

Sew all 4 points down securely.

This isn't the neatest example but you get the idea;

sew each point of the petals in place.

Neat doesn't matter too much at this point.

It will all be covered up anyway.Now let's add some depth to our flower by adding another layer of petals.

This time, off set the petals by placing the point in the center

but lay the petal over the gap between the

lower level of petals, kind of off set like the picture above.

Repeat the folding of the petals and pinning.

Go back to the machine and zigzag each point onto the flower as you did before.

It should look something like the picture below.

Now, you have 2 layers of petals.

It's a nice flower at this point,

but go ahead and

continue on with another layer if

you would like something more fluffy/full.

I usually do go with another layer

but for demonstration's sake, I'll stop there. Now for the center of the flower.

I usually do a button center and

I like to sew this on with my machine so it stays secure. Pull out your handy dandy button foot.

Yes, I know, you never use it.

But this is a great chance to try it out

and see what it can do for you.

It can save you TONS of time.

Follow your machine's manufactor's directions on setting up your machine

for sewing on buttons and

sew it directly on the center of your flower.

Of course,

you can always do it

the old fashioned way, I suppose. :)Viola!

You've got yourself a great little flower. Choose a pin back or tie tack.

I like to put tie tack backing on my flowers,

but choose whatever you would like to use as your means of

attaching your flower to whatever.

Simply use the hot glue gun and glue the tack in place

and then you can....

... put it anywhere you want to! It's a great little flower,

takes just about 15 minutes start to finish

and the uses, oh my, the uses are endless.

Sew Happy,

Suzie