Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Wire-Edged Fabric Flowers

**This tutorial is intended for personal use only.**

Hi! How are you doing? I'm having my usual beginning of the year, slow-like- molasses kind of start. Are you feeling the same way too? My body is tired and sore from the hoopla of the holidays. Even the old noggin is sleepy-sore. Unfortunately, I have grown to accept this yearly occurrence. Choosing to opt out of thinking too much, or straining the brain as I like to call it, seems natural to me at this time of year. It's a very dull and numb feeling, almost as if I went to bed, got up, but my brain decided it wanted to remain in sleep mode. Brain constipation! Hehehehe! (Can't believe I just said that, and most of all, that I have the nerve to post it!)

Moving on.........

Okay, so you say that you're a scrap fabric saver just like me. You did say that, right? It is interesting to note that everyone has their own interpretation of what constitutes a scrap piece of fabric. To some, it could be a half a yard, to others just a quarter and to some it may be much, much smaller. To me, a scrap is something that cannot be folded up neatly and placed onto the shelf to live happily ever after with the rest of the yardage. This means that I personally have massive piles of scraps. For the record, all fabric is precious to me and I enjoy finding uses for all of it, big or small.

**This tutorial is intended for personal use only.**

This tutorial will show you how to create wire edged fabric plumeria or frangipani flowers from scrap pieces of fabric. You can use these general guidelines for making other flowers but will need to alter the shape of the petals.

Supplies: You will need fabric scraps, 26 gauge cloth covered floral stem wire in 18" lengths, a sharpie or a dowel approximately 1/2" in diameter, a plastic seed bead container or a dowel approximately 7/8" in diameter, Tacky Glue, scotch tape, floral tape, sharp scissors, and a pair of wire cutters/pliers.


Please note: The length of wire that you choose to use for each of your petals will ultimately depend on what project you will be using these flowers on. If you are planning to turn your flowers into a bouquet, it is reasonable to say that using the entire 18" length of wire would be prudent. After twisting the center of the 18" piece of wire around the dowel, you should end up with tails approximately 8" in length. This could then be used to form the stem of the flower bouquet.

To begin, twist the center of the wire around the bead container or dowel with the help of a plier if needed. Twist 3-4 times to secure.


Slide the wire off of the bead container or dowel taking care not to distort the shape.


With one hand holding onto the wire tail, place the sharpie or 1/2" dowel into the circle and give it a gentle tug. The harder you pull, the narrower the petal will become.


This is the shape you are trying to achieve.


The next step involves gluing the wire onto the fabric. The glue that comes straight from the bottle comes out in too large a stream. To rectify this, place a piece of scotch tape onto the tip of the nozzle at an angle.


Roll the tape around the tip to form a cone shape. The size of the stream should be the approximate width of the wire. You may cut the tip of the cone as needed.


Apply glue evenly and completely around one side of the wire petal.


Place the petal onto the right side of the fabric. Press down on the wire to achieve contact between the glue and the fabric. There will be oozing once the wire is pressed down but this is acceptable as the excess glue will dry clear.


Let the petals dry completely.


Cut around each petal as close to the wire as possible being careful not to cut through the fabric on the wire.


Place 5 petals together evenly. Apply floral tape to the wire stems to hold it together.


Shape the petals by wrapping the edges around a dowel.


Optional Step: To slightly stiffen petals(which I always do), use a 50/50 mix of Elmer's Glue and water. Paint on a light coat with a soft paintbrush. Avoid pressing too hard on the petals because once the fabric becomes saturated, there is a possibility that the fabric could separate from the wire. Allow to dry thoroughly before attaching the flower to your project.


You could turn these flowers into a petite noesgay like I did last June.

If you feel overwhelmed at the prospect of making more than one of anything then I say, just make one.

Tuck it into your hair right above your ear, sit back, enjoy a refreshing Mai Tai and imagine that you're in Hawaii. Always works for me. *wink*

Aloha!

79 comments:

Karina. said...

Nossa, quanta criatividade!!!
Lindas flores, aliás, você é expert em flores.
Que 2010 seja muito próspero para você e cheio de idéias para que continue a postar suas manualidades admiráveis na net.

beijos

KaHolly said...

Excellent tutorial and looks like lots of fun to do. The results are so pretty/1 thanks. ~karen

Joanne Lendaro said...

How cute are those!! I think I might add a button to the center with hot glue?? What do you think? After all YOU are the expert!

Thanks for sharing, LOVE your blog!!

emy said...

Grazie Lettie per il tutorial!!!
Idea originale!

Kaye said...

adorable flowers, great job and tutorial

Kristin said...

Those are incredible! I love this solution for what to do with fabric scraps.

Janine said...

Dear Lettie, I had so much fun reading your post.
Actually my brain feels like mashed potatos.
I hardly get out of bed and ny favourite pasttime is sitting around, that must be the winter- blues.
You had again a marvelous idea and with your great step- by- step- tutarial, even I understood, how to do it. I will try this, tomorrow (if I manage to get up ;0)
Have a nice weekend
Hugs
Janine

sweetiepie said...

What a great tutorial! Your bouquet is beautiful!!

Thanks for sharing.

Take care.

Kim Brackett said...

Your flowers are so adorable! They make such a colorful bouquet. Thanks so much for sharing the tutorial.

Debra said...

you have a clever mind ;-)

Kath said...

What a lovely tutorial. great photos and easy to understand (I'm very visual and can't follow written instructions as easily). I would definately try these, as you make the project very straight forward, many thanks from snowy England

Eva Maria Keiser said...

Beautiful shapes and colors!

Deborah Raymond said...

Thanks for another fun project! I love your blog and posted an award for you on mine.
http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=8062274092177710393&postID=6505988996730651618

Diane at Crafty Passions said...

So cute and wonderful tutorial !
Diane

Kim West said...

Thanks for a great tutorial. I got a new dining table and want a really unique centerpiece that would be semi-easy to accomplish and look great. I love plumeria and have a tree in my front yard. My daughter always brings me blossoms that have fallen, but they wilt fast. This will be a great way to keep plumeria in the house for a long time. Do you think a 5" charm square will be enough to do one flower or would you need two or more?

Missy Ann said...

OMG you are brilliant! Thank you for sharing! I want vases and vases full of these. :) And such a pretty way to use up little scraps.

SG said...

Another great idea! Thanks!

Darlene said...

LOVE THEM!! thanks

Loralynn said...

Fantastic idea to use up scraps! Love it! Thanks for sharing with us!

Poppy Cottage said...

Oh this looks like fun! The plumeria is my all time favorite. We had a small tree growing outside my bedroom window when I was younger and we lived in Hawaii. Sometimes I can smell the sweet fragrance and I miss it dearly. Thank you for sharing this fun craft!

Stephanie D said...

Wow, even one is pretty, but all together like that--just gorgeous! I don't know how you come up with so many easy but beautiful crafts, Lettie, but I sure appreciate you sharing the instructions with us!

Talin's Corner said...

I am glad to know there are others out there like me. However, you have managed to come out the slow-like-molasses stage a lot faster than me. I love the flowers and since I cannot throw out my scraps, this will be a great way to use them up. Thanks.

Bonniedoo said...

Hi,this is my first visit to your blog and I am IMPRESSED. You are a very inventive seamstress/crafter and I want to do every one of your tutorials starting with the tissue holder! and then the wire edged flowers and then....LOL. Seriously I am glad I found you. I will be back. thanks, Bonnie

zigzago said...

These flowers are realy beautiful! I'm going to link your blog, hope you don't mind. I'll be back soon because you make wonderful things! Renata.

Threeundertwo said...

I love these! So cheerful on a dreary winter day.

I think the molasses in my brain is from all the overeating I did over the holidays! And scraps? I have bins full of them.

Zlaty said...

Very pretty Lettie!

Thanks for the idea!

Happy after holidays sewing!

JG said...

Every year after the holidays I always need to take a few days to regroup. Then, I am ready to move along. Now, my fridge is filled and my sewing machine is humming.

Your flowers are so pretty! Thanks for the tutorial. I have the fabric scraps, but need some other supplies.

Thearica said...

Where do you come up with these ideas! I mwish I was as talented as you are!

Rachel@oneprettything.com said...

Wow, these are really cool! What a wonderful tutorial. I would love to link to this if you didn't mind. Off to explore the rest of your blog...

Jantine said...

This is incredibly smart and beautiful! Thank you for sharing it!

RG said...

Lettie, I love this!!
Love you flowers, love your tute!!
So pretty :c)
Thankyou so much!!
hugs
Robyn xx

Char said...

My Goodness Letti...you did it again with these flowers!!!!!!!!!! I love them..soo many things to make and soo little time! But like you, I will make the time....
Thank you for such a wonderful tut...you do them soo well.....
Char

Sandi Linn Andersen said...

Oh, I remember making these when my daughter was little. They look so pretty in the fabrics you chose!

Suze said...

I've forgotten all about these flowers. I've made them before. Great job on the tutorial!

Annette said...

Hallo, Lettie!

Vielen Dank für die vielen wunderbaren Anleitungen und Ideen.
Ich leben in Deutschland und habe deine Seite durch Zufall entdeckt.
Immer wieder besuche ich deinen Bog und freue mich wieder etwas Neues zu entdecken.

Viel Grüßen aus dem kalten, verschneiten
Germany
distel756

Staci K. said...

When I was a kid my mom used to make flowers like this! She used to buy little flower stamens in the craft store. This post really brings back some nice memories. :)

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous! And much less complicated than I expected them to be!

The Home Ec Teachers Daugter said...

So cute and a good way to get rid of that extra fabric! Thanks so much

Alaska Crafter said...

These are fabulous! I have been looking for a way to make Hibiscus flowers for an upcoming wedding and this might just do the trick. Thanks so much!!

Sonia said...

These flowers are so gorgeous I could eat them!! I knew a variation of this technique however; we cut small pieces of wire, make them into hoops, stick them to fabrics and then attach them to a central long stem and finally cover the stem with a floral tape. This saves wastage of the wire, and also makes the stem look thin and slender...Thought you would like to know, maybe you already know!!

Silvia said...

Hi! So beautiful!

Kissies

KelleBelle said...

Lettie, thank you so so much for posting this tutorial. When I was a little girl I would spend spring break with my grandparents and Nana and I would do different crafts, and one year Nana showed me how to make these flowers.

That was 30 years ago, and it was the only time she ever made these flowers. She passed away last summer and oddly enough it was recently that I found myself thinking of them and thinking that I could figure out how to make them myself.

But thanks to your generousity of sharing this tutorial, I will be able to have a little bouquet from my Nana again. :)

Kim D. said...

Beautiful!! A friend showed me how to makes these with colored nylons a few years back. What a good idea to use fabric. Now why didn't I think of that.

Elizabeth said...

I absolutely love this idea and look forward to trying my hand at it! Thanks so much for sharing! You have some amazing projects!

- Elizabeth
Co-Owner
www.missimagination.com

Divânia's- trabalhos manuais said...

I love everything I find here and always surprised me. I figured that he had already seen everything in your blog today and found this beautiful flower screen! Thanks Lettie

Hugs from Brazil!!!!


Divânia

Diane Gilleland said...

These are adorable! And that trick with the glue bottle tip is a work of pure genius. Thank you so much for sharing!

Heckety said...

This is a wonderful idea- thank you so much!
Tell you what though, the photo with all the wires on the fabric waiting for the glue to dry doesn't half look like a crowd of mad flamingoes!

denisesews said...

What a blast from the past. When I was a teenager in the 1970s my cousin taught me to make these. For the petals we used green wire and glued to the WRONG side of the fabric. We also had little flower stamens to put in the middle and wrapped everything up with florist tape. What a nice memory.

Unknown said...

I love these and I have a zillion little scraps...I will have to give them a try!!!!

Litamora's Quilt & Design said...

Adorable flowers!
Great idea!
Laila

Robyn said...

Thanks for a great tutorial! I attempted on the other day and blogged about it. I was delighted to find that even tho I didn't have all the right supplies, it still turned out almost as cute as yours! I would like to make more of them soon!

Euna said...

It's almost midnight, and I told myself I would finish typing this transcript, but once I found your blog, I couldn't stop looking at your tutorials!!! The flower bouquet is just wonderful! It reminds me of when Grandma bought floral wire and some glue-type stuff and dipped the shapes in and then pulled them out, let them drip, and they formed the flower petals and leaves, and she made bouquets too! I loved it so much EVERYONE received one for Christmas that year! Let me see, that was probably about 1969!!! lol!! Thanks for the great tutorials!!

Unknown said...

fantastic idea! i really love this!

thanks for the tutorial.

i set a link. i hope you'll agree.

many greetings, doro.

shen_nanigans said...

I love it! Thanks so much for putting up a tutorial. I'm currently working on an "aloha" wreath for the summer months for my front door. I was going to use silk tropical flowers, but now running across your flowers, I'm going to make these for my wreath & will let you know when the project is finished. Thanks again! :D :::skipps off merrily:::

Jenny Bolech said...

Thanks for your sweet comments on my blog! When I saw them I was so excited I just had to make my husband come look (I think he thought I was a little nuts, but I felt like a celebrity had stopped by!) I don't get many comments that aren't from my sister or crazy aunts :) I just made another big bunch of these flowers for my desk at work and all I've gotten so many compliments on them from the ladies I work with, and a few "Oh I used to make these when I was your age!" (I'm the youngun' in the group!) I LOVE these flowers!! Thanks!!

shen's girly spazms said...

I finished my project just in time for mothers day. I wanted you to see how I used the flowers, I hope you don't mind, but I did give you credit in my blog for the awesome tutorial.

http://girlyspazms.blogspot.com/2010/05/for-momma.html

tunde said...

These are so beautiful flowers, I can't find words! Congratulations on your works from Hungary! 8)

Nicola said...

These are absolutely beautiful flowers and a method I've been searching for some time. I hope to place a link to this on my blog, I hope this is ok?

http://handmadeflowercreations.blogspot.com/p/metal-flowers.html

Sarah said...

Hi! Love these Wired flowers!! so sweet. I was wondering if you minded if I use your photo to place on my "to do" list. I will be linking back to your blog. Thanks!

receitas da netlé said...

nosso Deus quantas coisas bonitas essas flores são lindas tudo muito lindo que lugar maravilhoso vc mora ai no havaí e muito bonito por isso vc só faz coisas maravilhosas tudo ai é muito colorido tem vida parabéns pelas coisas bonitas que vc faz e pelo lugar alegre que vc mora que Deus te abençõe muito bjs.

Alison @ Oopsey Daisy said...

You have so many AMAZING flower tutorials!! I adore them! I wanted to let you know that I featured this tutorial, along with your tutorial for the fleur de marguerite today on my blog with a round-up of other flower tutorials. Here is the link:

http://oopsey-daisy.blogspot.com/2010/07/wednesdays-wowzers-3-dozen-plus-four.html

Thank you so much for inspiring me. Have a wonderful day!

~Alison

Unknown said...

now it seems to me that you are a fabric masters ! Really neat blog.

Grammie/Mom said...

Wow! This brings back memories! I made my mother a bouquet of flowers using this exact technique--at least 35 years ago!!! She still has them!!

ozgrkdn said...

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Carmen said...

oi ,amei seu blog,achei vc inteligente,e agradeço por repartir idéias tão lindas.sou sua seguidora. tambem tenho um blog voltado para bordado em fita.muito obrigada.me visite,bjos

Unknown said...

Felicidades!!!! Me han gustado mucho me has ayudado con ideas.Ya tienes una seguidora mas desde España.Te invito a mi blog http://trastosmaribel.blogspot.com

Saludos Maribel

Unknown said...

Olá!parabens!adorei as flores lindo!!,sou professora de artes este ano terá a festa das flores na minha escola, procurava algo diferente e encontrei, agradeço por compartilhar idéias tão criativas Parabens!

شـذا Shatha said...

WOW I looooved these flowers
and we allready made them in our
girl's club
the girl's just loved it
I linked to your tutorial
and here it is including our job

http://colorfulasarainbow.blogspot.com/2011/04/girls-clubdiy-step-by-step-fabric.html

thanks allot for refreshing my memory

love
Shatha

Flor said...

Adorable flowers!!! thank u!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Lettie!

I just wanted to let you know that I hosted a craft party on June 10th and we used your tutorial to make fabric flowers. It was so simple, even for my friends who claim they are "non-crafty."

I also did my own DIY based on your tutorial, and linked to this post and your blog. I hope that's OK!

You can see it here:
http://bohoeco.com/2011/06/19/fabric-flowers-and-baby-showers/

Thanks again for your blog- you have some very cute things in here!

Megan Colby (bohoECO.com)

Paty said...

How amazing tutorial...
thank you so much for sharing...
do you think that this way is the same to make butterflies??
xoxo
Paty

Unknown said...

So original, what lovely flowers! Well done x

Yvette said...

I love this tutorial and pinning it on Pinterest got a lot of repins. Do you mind if I add this link to my tutorials page on my craft blog?

Yvette
www.yvette-keeping-it-real.blogspot.com

RINKISH said...

EXCELLENT

Andie said...

Hi Lettie, I guess since it's been about three years since you've posted this tutorial, that you never know when someone will discover your blog posts! I linked to you on my blog post today and wanted to let you know. This was a very easy project and I'm jealous of your photos - mine are still very amateur. All the best, Andie

Andie said...

Oh, I guess I should have mentioned where you can see it.. www.paintedsquirrel@blogspot.com. Andie

Zylo said...

I love this tutorial! I'd like to do a round-up of my favorite fabric scrap crafts (non-quilt) and use this for the 4th craft. You can check out my other posts to see what my blog is about and whether you would like to be featured. I couldn't find an e-mail so I figured this might be the easiest way to get in contact with you.
You can find me at www.fanofstuff.com, but it wouldn't let me link below.

Anonymous said...

Amazing idea and beatiful result!!!

Anonymous said...

These are lovely! Could they be stiffened with Mod Podge instead? I don't have Elmer's glue.