My Weblog: Fabric flower tutorial

O.k here goes, I apologise in advance for the rubbish photographs, summer appears to be over, I have no natural light and I'm not clever enough with the camera to rectify that. Nevermind !

This will make one folded, fuller (can't think of the right word !) flower and two not folded flowers ? ? ?

Cut one piece of backing fabric ( calico, or a stiffish cotton ) 27 x 18cm (11 1/4 x 7 ") and nine 18 x 3cm (7 x 1 1/4 ") strips from your chosen fabrics - I prefer to tear my fabrics rather than cut as I like frayed edges.

Pin and stitch fabric strips onto backing along all edges.

Turn over, and cut in half length-ways, stitching either side of your cutting line first to avoid your stitching running back.

Now, with one of your pieces, fold in half length-ways and with your thread doubled, tie a knot and stitch along the raw edge using a fairly big running stitch.

Before you gather, make cuts between your stitched lines, starting at the folded edge to about 1 cm (1/2") away from your running stitch.

Now gather, and secure with a few more stitches.

To make your smaller petals for the centre, cut a 18 x 4cm (7 x 1 1/2 ") strip of fabric, fold over, stitch and cut in the same way as the first.

Sew onto your bigger flower.

At the same time I attach a couple of calico circles to the back (or you could use a thick felt ) to anchor your smaller petals and also to attach the brooch pin. Slipstitch your calico circles onto the back of your petals to keep it all in place.

Sew on your button and your brooch pin and Voila !

To make the basic patchwork flowers

With your remaining piece of patchwork, cut in half lengthways once again ( don't forget to stitch either side first ! ,) so you end up with two strips that measure 27 x 4.5cm ( 11 1/4 x 1 3/4").

This time there is no folding or snipping. You just run your gathering stitch along one end, gather up, attach your button and backing.

I have probably made this sound a lot more complicated than it is - honestly !

Give it a go, they are fun and very quick to make.