So, this is the second tutorial on making flowers out of fabric.  The backstory to these posts is that I’m looking to make my bouquet for my wedding myself- and so I’ve been brainstorming idea’s on how best to put together fabric flowers for this purpose.

This tutorial is based on some flowers that I started making a few years ago – the folding technique is Japanese (Tsunami Kanzashi), though I’ve never successfully perfected the art of authentically creating these flowers – instead I opt for larger flowers held together with thread rather than using rice glue.  I love the effect from these flowers, and this is probably the style I will be using for my bouquet. :) For more Kanzashi check out this site, or Immortal Geisha forums for how to make the more authenic varients!

Folded Flowers Tutorial Varient 1

We Start with fabric squares and with a needle and thread.

You will also need scissors, fabric glue, malleable jewellry wire, snips and beads or some such to go in the middle.

My fabric squares are quite big – you can do them at pretty much any size.

Step 1 – fold the square diagonally in half. If your material has a better side then this wants to be on the outside.

Step 2, fold the edges down to the middle. Picture should explain better than my words here!

Step 2.5 – and repeat for the other edge. (THIS IS THE POINT WHERE THE SECOND TUTORIAL LEAVES US)

Step 3 – turn it over and fold the outer edge (with all the edges) in- again photo rocks, words suck.

Step 3.5, and the other one (ooooo it looks like a kite!)

Step 4 – fold what you just folded back on itself (again pic is worth all my words)

Step 5 – this is what it looks like the right way around.

Step 6 – Sew! Take care to get all the layers of fabric caught.

Step 7 – this method involves cutting, I do it now while the material is on the needle – you can see where I’m cutting – this is so the flower shall be a flower!

Step 8 – rinse and repeat 5 times (for a 6 petal) 4 times (for a 5 petal), sew through the first petal again, and tie to create the flower in ze round. A little tighter this time around.

Step 9 – this is the back. These 2 pictures show wrong to the left and right to the right- though if you have a lot of sticking out bits then you can always keep it upside down and use a little glue to secure the petals – its better to take care when you’re sewing to capture all the layers though. ;)

Step 10 – Flower! You can fluff out the petals by placing your finger into the petals like….

so

Step 11 For these guys I threaded a button onto my wire.

Step 12 – Glue on the button, and threaded through – flower is complete.

Here are some wee little alternatives and variants on the theme!

Thanks for looking, any confusion and comments can be directed to me here :)

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