DIY Vintage Flowers

Vintage Flowers #2 – Original workshop on May 12, 2011

by Jennifer McCarte       

Supplies:

Synthetic Silky fabric

Scissors

Tea light candle

Additional Supplies:

Needle and thread

Hot glue/glue gun

Buttons, gems or other accessories for center of flower

Clips, pins, headbands or clothing to attach flower

Directions:

1. Cut 5-7 circle patterns out of card stock.
Make the largest one’s diameter about half an inch larger than you want the diameter of the flower, as the petals will end up shrinking a bit. Create 5-7 of these, making each circle a little smaller. End result has smaller petals in the center and larger ones around the outside.

The 5 cuts into the patterns above are to make the petals,
you may cut as many or as few of these to create your desired look.

2. Trace around the pattern onto the silk fabric (using a pen).

3. Take the scissors and cut out the circle and petals.

Cut just inside the drawn lines to make a circle out of the fabric. Carefully cut only about a third of the way into the circles to create the petals. You can do as many or few petals as you would like.  If you choose you can get a different look by not cutting petals at all.
*You can also cut around the pattern and skip the drawing part. Each flower will be different so cutting perfectly on a line is not necessary.



4. Use the lit candle to melt and crinkle the edges.
Be very careful (the candle flame is very HOT), and it is very easy to get burned. Hold the cut petals about one to two inches above the flame, making sure to keep the circle rotating so that it does not overheat and catch fire. Continue to gently melt the edges of each petal until you have gone all the way around. Do this with each layer.

 Note: The candle gets hotter the longer you burn it.

5. Sew (or glue) the petal layers together.
Using a needle and thread, stack the layers (largest to smallest) on the needle.  Once you have your desired look, pull the needle and thread all the way through.  Sew back and forth a few times then knot. To finish the flower, sew (or glue) the button or bead on top.

To attach the flower to the clip, cut a circle out of felt, just smaller than the flower.  Take your clip and use the hot glue gun to attach your flower to the top.  Once that has dried, place hot glue on the felt circle and slide inside the clip.  Close the clip and let dry. This way, the clip is hidden and the felt helps it stay in place when it is on your clothing or in your hair.

Note:  Open the clip and put a piece of waxed paper inside,
This will prevent the clip from being glued closed!

Just remember: every flower will turn out differently and that is part of the beauty!