Full fabric or paper bouquets can be pretty expensive. Most ‘book flowers’ average $3.00 a stem, and the fabric ones are much much more. I like to think of myself as a crafty lady, and so I attempted to make some fabric flowers the other day using this great how-to from Little Birdie Secrets.
Look how well everything started out:
This should be all you need to make quiet a few flowers. Photo by Michelle.
These were all the supplies that were listed on the how-to site. I added in the tulle (the mocha roll) and the floral wire and tape, because I was planning on making these stems, instead of putting them on a clip.
After gathering all the supplies, I began to work on the first flower. This is when everything went a little… er, sour. To be completely honest, it was a hot mess! In lieu of ugly, blurry photos, I have compiled a list of important things to remember when crafting. These are tips based on personal experience, and things I wish I knew before I delved into the world of flower making.
1. Use only organza, chiffon or silk. You have to melt the edges of the petals to prevent fraying. If you don’t use organza, chiffon, or silk, the petal will catch fire. If you can’t find the color or pattern you like in these fabrics, don’t assume other types of fabric will be okay. Other types of fabric will catch fire. Don’t bother trying to ‘just hold the fabric differently‘ or ‘maybe use a lighter instead of the candle’ because if it isn’t organza, chiffon or silk, it will still catch fire.
2. Fire is hot. Melted petal edges are hot too. Please remember this when slowly turning your organza, chiffon, or silk petals around the flame; just because the fabric has been singed that doesn’t mean it has cooled completely. If you aren’t careful, you will burn yourself (trust me).
3. Don’t try too much at once. Start by making a smaller flower and then try a bigger flower. Learning to handle the petals and have them all arranged to be sewn together is a bit tricky. You’ll be really frustrated and doubt your creative ability. Especially when your *best* flower looks like this:
That is one funky shaped flower! Photo by me.
4. Don’t give up and don’t do this alone! My sad pathetic excuse of a flower is disheartening for me, but I am choosing to believe it is a case of practice makes perfect. So, I will persevere. I am also going to ask friends to help next time around. I think with more people helping out, the tasks of cutting, melting and sewing will be less tedious. Even if they aren’t nice enough for the wedding, these little flowers can be used somewhere!
Hopefully these tips will turn your adventures in flower making into a very positive experience! If you do try to make some fun flowers, I say “may the melt be with you!”
:) May the melt be with you. I love this tutorial.
Oh Michelle, your tutorial had me belly laughing. Isn’t this how it always goes with DIY! I do love your flower though – it’s beautiful in a quirky way.
Oh Michelle, don’t give up. All of my DIYs start out like this. They will end up going from funky cute to being awesome.
Hey! I think that scrappy little guy looks like he’s got spunk! Who doesn’t want a flower with a little character?
Keep at it, they’ll be awesome!
You crack me up…Can you make flowers out of Great Stuff? If its possible, I’m sure you would be the master.