You will need...
Small amounts of hessian backcloth and good quality felt .
a rag-rug hook or small pliers (or probably even eyebrow tweezers will do the job).
strips of fabric, somewhere around a half an inch wide (ish)
Brooch/pin back.
Method...
Cut your fabric strips into approx 3" lengths, I've used one of these gadgets which makes it a lot quicker
a piece of 1" wood dowel with a bit gouged out, if you know any wood-cutterly types, it should be easy enough to make one.
You just wrap your strips of fabric around it and snip snip snip through the channel.
Either that or just roughly guess the length, it doesn't really matter.
Draw a circle onto your hessian, bearing in mind that these flowers get big - my outside circle has a diameter of 2.5" and I've ended up with a flower almost twice that size (the one I made last week turned out enormous and very heavy, more suitable as a paperweight in fact).
then, mark smaller circles as a guide if you want to use more than one colour.
Before cutting out, stitch around your outside circle 4 or 5 times- this is very important, otherwise it will fray like buggery, and then cut a good half an inch away from your stitch line .I cut it far too close to the stitch line on this one, but just about got away with it.
Now, using whatever tool you've managed to find, work from the centre outwards, inserting your hook and pulling the fabric through, like so
This method is explained far better here , under the rag rugger link on the left, (this is also where I got all of my equipment from). Leave just a couple of hessian strands between each strip and work in circles out towards the stitched edge.
The back will look something like this,
Cut a circle of felt to the same size as your hessian circle and stitch together. Apply your brooch back and there you go... easy.
OR...
If you can't get your hands on any of that equipment, just cut two circles of felt- one slightly bigger than the other, and mark the smaller one as before ( if desired)
then, giving your fabric strips a little twist in the middle, stitch onto your felt pieces, again keeping the strips nice and close together.
Work from the centre, outwards.
Trim the larger felt circle to the same size as the smaller one and blanket stitch together to give a nice neat edge. Attach your pin/brooch back as before.
This second method is just as easy and quick as the first, and both are fun to do . The hook technique is particularly fun for children to do as there are no stabby sharp needles involved. Molly has made quite a few of these now, she loves to choose the fabrics, in fact she choose the colours for the second flower. Light pink, dark pink, orange. YUM.
Do let me know if none of this makes sense, I don't mind, I'm used to people telling me I don't make sense.
I'm off to the shops now, wearing my new corsage to brighten up a very grey English day.
Ta-ra chucks.
this is completely.. understandable..enviable.. and motivating.. I want to do them right now.. wonderful you.. thanks.. enjoy your corsage..
Posted by: pinar | October 18, 2006 at 01:04 PM
I really like the way those look. Very fun. Thanks for the no-hook option as well.
Posted by: craftydabbler | October 18, 2006 at 02:08 PM
These are lovely - what a great way to use up scraps of fabric. Molly has inherited your artistic flair, those colours are yummy :)
Posted by: Sweet pea | October 18, 2006 at 02:08 PM
Beautiful! Your instructions are completely clear. I don't know the term 'hessian backcloth' but it looks like burlap to me, for those of us stateside. What a terrific way to use up scraps of fabric! Definitely on the to-do list.
Posted by: robin | October 18, 2006 at 02:25 PM
These flowers are really cute. Nice tutorial too. And your studio looks so nicely organized and colorful.
Posted by: Kristin Nicholas | October 18, 2006 at 03:29 PM
Thank you for sharing!
I am on holiday in the uk and i can definetely agree that the weather needs some brightening up!
Posted by: Bittenbefore | October 18, 2006 at 03:51 PM
OH...this is so cute!! I want to make one right away!! Were can I find that hessian?
Posted by: Beth H | October 18, 2006 at 03:57 PM
thanks for such great instructions. i always wondered how those were made, and now i know, and can make them, too!
Posted by: bekka | October 18, 2006 at 04:04 PM
great tutorial, you should post this to the whiplash site for accessories, i think you have another day, or a couple of hours.... at any rate - thanks!
Posted by: stephanie s | October 18, 2006 at 04:08 PM
Really great tutorial! Love the flowers. Could you use a crochet hook as well? I am seriously going to try this!
Posted by: Pam | October 18, 2006 at 04:13 PM
Great tutorial, Lyn! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: sally | October 18, 2006 at 04:17 PM
Thanks for the tutorial! They're so beautiful!
Posted by: Amanda | October 18, 2006 at 04:25 PM
thanks! the 2 options of making it was thoughtful and much appreciated. I was just thinking about a brooch to make for this weekend.
Posted by: kirsten | October 18, 2006 at 04:36 PM
Oh, I LOVE everything that comes after the "OR..."! Nice and easy. That tool in the section before reminded me I have to go to the dentist... Thanks for the tutorial and the great photos.
Posted by: Heike | October 18, 2006 at 04:42 PM
OOoo so simple and pretty. I could use one to brighten up this soggy Portland morning!
Posted by: janel | October 18, 2006 at 05:06 PM
That is pure genius! Very easy to understand too. I think this would be fun for my kids to do for teacher gifts. Really love it! Love the dowel tool too.
Posted by: Bettsi | October 18, 2006 at 07:27 PM
What a great idea, I bet older kids could do this too! I bet it looks great on that English tweed blazer!
Posted by: Lorie | October 18, 2006 at 07:34 PM
wow! I think these are great and I WILL be making at least one. I love corsarges, I make so many of them, a bit of a trade mark for me (well, friends laugh at them!!!) mostly knitting but I made a great fabric one yesterday to go on a bag. SO thank you for sharing and I shall have a go.
Keep up the good work.
SUzie Sews
Posted by: Suzie Vallis | October 18, 2006 at 08:32 PM
i musttry this NOW! you are ever so creative...my envy is yours! i have tons of baby fabric left...maybe a corsage to go on the side of a diaper bag...maybe. thanks for all the great tips!
Posted by: heidi | October 18, 2006 at 09:08 PM
What a neat idea! They look terrific.
And um, how's the rag rug coming along? ;-)
Posted by: Miriam | October 18, 2006 at 09:15 PM
Thank you so much for taking the time to do this a second time around! I love it.
Posted by: Kelli | October 18, 2006 at 09:22 PM
Oh you are *so* good.
I have envy... where can I dig out some hessian & a rug hook? My mum's old house had a hessian wall on the upstairs landing, but I'm not sure I've laid hands on any since! Time to rummage in the Huddersfield craft shops.
Posted by: Kitty Jimjams | October 18, 2006 at 09:48 PM
Thank you for this tutorial! Both flowers are beautiful. I am sure you brighten up the day!
Posted by: Veronica TM | October 18, 2006 at 10:13 PM
THis is so fabulous! Thanks for the awesome tutorial! SO much inspiration- so little time!
Posted by: Regina | October 18, 2006 at 10:14 PM
I think I really need to make one of these. Either method makes a gorgeous flower!
Posted by: Blair | October 19, 2006 at 12:03 AM
Fabulous tutorial - thanks for doing it!
Posted by: Kate | October 19, 2006 at 12:15 AM
ohhh!! so lovely!! **
Posted by: jenny vorwaller | October 19, 2006 at 02:02 AM
Oh, thanks for your teaching!! You are so talented!!
Posted by: chocolate | October 19, 2006 at 03:05 AM
I discover your blog a few days ago and i love it!! And these flowers are totally beautiful!! I want to try for my scrapbooking! thanks a lot to share!!
Béa
Posted by: minoute | October 19, 2006 at 09:01 AM
genius. Move over Einstein.
Posted by: Monica | October 19, 2006 at 09:32 AM
Wow, brilliant, love it. Thanks so much for this.
Posted by: carolyn | October 19, 2006 at 10:22 AM
Thank you so much for showing us how we can make such beautiful flowers!!!!!
Posted by: cecile | October 19, 2006 at 01:40 PM
I probably made the search harder than it needs to be, but I couldn't find the raggy making stuff here in the U.S. online, so I just bought a kit from a U.K. seller!
It's going to be a Christmas gift for my daughter. Love the tutorial.
Posted by: Heels | October 19, 2006 at 05:00 PM
Thanks for the tutorial. I just finished one!
Posted by: Dee | October 19, 2006 at 07:28 PM
Thank you so much for the tutorial!
Posted by: Sarah | October 20, 2006 at 01:50 AM
Thank you so much! Your flowers are beautiful and the instructions much appreciated.
Posted by: Sarah Jane | October 20, 2006 at 05:07 AM
Thank you, the flowers are very pretty. I like the colours and the tutorial is great. I am sure it would also work with some linen (one can always pull out some threads) and a crochet hook. Will definitely make one. Bettsi, that's a great idea to give them as teacher gifts!!
Posted by: Christine | October 20, 2006 at 12:25 PM
ohhhh thanks so much!! your tutorial it's great! your flower ara so yummy!
Posted by: Verito | October 20, 2006 at 01:28 PM
GREAT IDEA!!!
I LOVE IT!!!
Posted by: caro | October 20, 2006 at 04:54 PM
Will you just stop being so talented please? You are giving your sister a BIG inferiority complex. Really, I have no artistically talented bits in me. Looks like you got the entire share. One of the comments above said something about your tidy studio. Ha ha ha ha!!!! You have to see it - it is amazing, but not in a tidy way - but a good way nontheless.
Posted by: Kay | October 20, 2006 at 08:49 PM
Another wonderful tutorial Lyn! Can't wait to try it :)
Posted by: Cassi | October 21, 2006 at 01:24 AM
Jeez - what a fantastic idea. I'm rag rugging at school and it NEVER even occurred to me to make corsages! Maybe I'll get the kids to have a go. Thanks a lot for the tut though. By the way it's Divali today and I'm wishing everyone a Happy Divali.
Posted by: Simmyb | October 21, 2006 at 08:28 AM
thank you very much for this tutorial. I have see your beautiful Raggy flowers and now i can try do one
Posted by: boudficelle | October 21, 2006 at 09:56 AM
BEAUTIFUL!!!
Posted by: marisa | October 21, 2006 at 03:12 PM
Have you got a flickr group so people can post their own pics of corsages they've made? You deffo should! I'll be blogging my corsage later. Spent the afternoon on the couch making it!
Posted by: mamaloo | October 23, 2006 at 12:03 AM
Thank you, thank you, for this. I didn't actually imagine they were made like that. I have a bag that definitely needs one of these.
Posted by: Coryn | October 23, 2006 at 01:05 PM
fabulous! another christmas gift idea - thank you for this generous tutorial! quick simple and easy to understand.
take care
Posted by: katie | October 24, 2006 at 09:07 AM
i love all your stuff
i tried to make one using back hessian, i didnt have the right colour to draw the circles, so i stitched them and it looked sooo cool that i didnt put the fabric scraps on it
had to make another one for the corsage
Posted by: richenda | October 24, 2006 at 11:24 AM
Thank you so much for this tuto ! I think I will soon try myself ! See you soon !;-D
Posted by: Stéf | October 24, 2006 at 11:33 AM
Thanks for the tutorial! I must add this to my "Urgent to Make" list!
Posted by: Passions & Distractions | October 24, 2006 at 05:55 PM
Ack, as you write the tutorial...you make it seem E-Z-P-Z...but really it's almost like Techytalk to the layman... slow and easy... or like MacGyver making a nuclear bomb out of chewing gum...EEKK...Love it...I adore your sketchy baby in the previous post...I would love to see that on a onsie or a card...
Posted by: Tanya Nichols | October 25, 2006 at 03:59 PM
I'm just visiting for the first time...don't know where I've been! this is such a great idea!! great blog too! :)
Posted by: patricia | October 29, 2006 at 04:30 AM
merci, j'y suis arrivée, veux tu voir le résultat?
Posted by: boudficelle | November 02, 2006 at 04:50 PM
totally adorable
Posted by: kim | November 04, 2006 at 05:45 PM
Loved the raggy flower... what fun. Made my first one today and know there will be lots more. Thank you!
Posted by: Gina | November 05, 2006 at 05:21 PM
My God! Their great. I love them. Your very good.Can I try?!
I'm just visiting you blog for the first time!
Your work is fantastic.
kisses from PORTUGAL
Posted by: Tânia Marta | April 19, 2007 at 04:08 PM
fantastic idea ;o))
Tks for sharing
Posted by: Mimi Crafts | June 06, 2007 at 11:17 AM
So creative,thanks for sharing this.
by:lily
Posted by: flowers philippines | December 27, 2008 at 08:58 AM
i like the lay out of your blog,keep up the good work.
-vee-
Posted by: philippine flower shops | January 12, 2009 at 08:09 AM
This is great,i like the layout of your blog keep up the good work.
Posted by: flower delivery philippine | January 28, 2009 at 05:55 AM
just found this (quite late, i know!) via flickr. love it, thankyou so much for sharing! xo
Posted by: Hannah | January 29, 2009 at 11:05 PM
Hello !
I am frensch so excuse me for my english ! Your blog is plenty of lot af beautiful créations.
I love it.
See you soon
Barbara
Bricole et casserole or
"DIY and Pan"
Posted by: Barbara | August 27, 2009 at 09:21 PM
SEE YOU SOON ON "bricole et casserole"
http://bricolecasserole.canalblog.com/
Bye
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Posted by: Term Papers | January 11, 2010 at 12:12 PM