gathered flower {tutorial}
A few months ago my sister found a really cute burlap table runner with three fabric flowers on each end. She loved it, but didn’t really love the crazy-expensive price tag. So she asked me to re-create the flowers to attach to her handmade burlap table runner and this is what I came up with.

Here is what you’ll need:

:: fabric {linen, canvas, wool, felt – something slightly sturdy}
:: template {download here or at the bottom of post}
:: scissors, needle, thread
:: something pretty for the center {rhinestone, old brooch, a button}
STEP ONE: print template and cut out petals

There are two templates available for download: small and large. I used the small for this example and the large for the pillows. You can certainly adjust the size and shape to your liking and disregard the template altogether if you prefer.
STEP TWO: cut petals

I fold the fabric so that I only have to cut once.

You’ll need FOUR large petals and THREE small

STEP THREE: gather the center of each petal

Make a running stich through the center, then pull the thread taught, wrap it around the center a few times and make another stitch through the center. Knot it off and cut the thread.

You’ll have this:


STEP FOUR: stack the petals

Start with the large,

then layer on the small.

STEP FIVE: stitch the petals together

Just stitch back and forth through the center several times to secure the layers.
STEP SIX: embellish the center

a little dab of hot glue does the trick.

This size is just right to attach to a headband
And do you remember this cute flower pillow? It is part of this month’s giveaway {have you entered for a chance to win? You can do it here}. I made it out of felt then stitched directly onto the pillow.

If you would like to make a few of your own, please feel free to download my templates:
{click on image to download}
Note: to make a fuller flower keep the center a bit wider than on the template.
I hope you are enjoying flower week! Come back tomorrow for another great flower project.
















































Kacey @ Shes.No.Martha
ok, I just have to know: do you ever toss curse words around while sewing these cute things? I tried sewing some elastic on the inside of my duvet cover and my thread knotted up and it looked like a toddler did it. I am pretty sure a blind person could have done a much better job than I did. I love all your sewing projects but just wonder if I can pull it off without throwing the f-bomb around….
Catherine
Loving flower week thus far. My daughter (4 years-old) and I made some of your paper flowers yesterday and I thing I will attempt to make us headbands with today’s toot. Looking forward to tomorrow!
Katie Greenlaw
I think that these will be the perfect flowers to make into “corsages” for all of the moms coming to our Mother’s Day Brunch on Saturday. Thanks again for the inspiration to make life a little more beautiful and handmade
Andrea
Love this one too. A flower pillow would make a great Mother’s Day gift too. Thanks so much for sharing this one!
ashley
These are just darling! You are making me spend so much money at the craft store!!
Elaine
I love them! I’m trying this for sure, what a sweet idea.
Melissa
Love the headband. How cute.
Emily
It’s Teacher Appreciation Week, so I’m making your flower things for my little girl’s teacher
Can’t wait to see what you have for me the rest of the week!
Kathleen
Just have to tell you, I love this flower too! You are so creative and all of your ideas are fab. Looking forward to the next flower!
Cecelia DuPriest
Well, here I am again, loving another flower. I will be making these also! Adorable. Thank you for sharing.
Marissa
I’m SO glad you did this one today! I found a bag of fabric scraps last night…and my first thought was, I hope she does a flower with fabric tomorrow! Thanks for getting my mental message!
Totally going to use the bright fabric to make some headbands for my girls! THanks!!
jami nato
i’m loving all these flowers…too cute and sooooo easy.
cailan
OF COURSE, I am enjoying flower week! This is another fun one – so cute and great tutorial – thank you much!
Amanda Eck-TheEckLife
WOW! those are just lovely!!! thank you for sharing your template!! cant wait to try these too. Have a blessed day!
Meg
love these as a headband! too cute!
catherine
i am loving these flower tutorials!
chelsie
Love it!! I will be taking my two lil’ guys to JoAnns today!
Karie Murray
YAY! Thanks!
Chris McGetrick
I love flower week. I made the paper flowers yesterday – had a little trouble with the pop out – but other than that great. Ready to try today. Wonderful.
Chelsea Davis
LOVING the beautiful teal flower pillow!! If my husband would allow, I’d flower-up all my pillows
Shelley Heck
Must. Pace. Myself. You have soooo many amazing projects! I link back to your blog so often on my blog people might think I have a craft crush on you!! I might…don’t judge! haha! Thanks for this one! Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!
Kim
You have done it again!! {I think I say that every time!} These are delightful, as were the paper ones yesterday. I will be trying these for end- of -the- year teacher gifts and other ministry gifts as well.
Thanks for always sharing with us!
Hilary
Love this! I saw the same runner and pillow and just knew there had to be an easy way to make them! Can’t wait!
Jessica
How cute! Love it
Lori
thank you! was looking forward to this tutorial for a while
Michaela May
Totally want to make these!!!! I am making the paper wreath for a going away present for our Music teacher at the elementary school I work at… I want to make these and put them on a headband… How do you attach them to the headband??? Just hotglue? Or is that just stupid?!?!!?
emily
I used headbands from target – nothing fancy. Then I just hot glued the flower to the side of the headband. Easy peasy.
Alima
super cute! LOVE!
Sara @ It's Good to be Queen
i am LOVING flower week!!! i have 3 boys and am now expecting a girl in august. i am so excited to make pretty, girly, flowery things.
victoria k
Supper cute! I wan’t to make the headbands for my girls. Can you let me know where you get the head bands to attach the flower to and what you use to attach them? Thank you so much for sharing!
Shelley
Oh my… the people at my local craft/fabric store are going to be so tired of seeing me in there after this week! I should just wait until this week of fab ideas is done so I can make just the one trip
Beth
LOVELY, as always!!!
Beth
p.s. I’d love to see the table runner – got pics of that?
Heather
You’re so sweet to share all these with us! Thank you. I will make these for my daughter’s headbands…and some for me too!
kelly
thanks so much Emily for sharing these cute crafts with us! so fun and easy! i will have such fun making a few of these for my little one and friends!
Jessica
yay! i saw this lampshade at anthropologie but couldn’t bring myself to buy it since it’s about $100, and i was trying to figure out how to make one myself. now i can! thank you. http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=19971662&catId=HOME-LIGHTING&pushId=HOME-LIGHTING&popId=HOME&navAction=top&navCount=18&color=015&isProduct=true&fromCategoryPage=true&subCategoryId=HOME-LIGHTING-SHADES
Lori
Love it! thanks for sharing the template. I think I can do this
rachel
Wow!! I really loved yesterday’s flower, but today’s flower is wonderful too!! These tutorials are amazing. You are helping me make my home a prettier place. Thank you!! I can’t wait until tomorrow.
molly
thanks so much for the tutorial & template! i just LOVE making your crafts.
rj
Emily thank you so much for a wonderful flower tutorial. I just printed off my templates. I love all of these flowers you are sharing with us. I’m in the middle of two projects for friends. Yesterday I finished a pillow with an appliqued bird with a crown and a pretty flower rosette. Today just by luck I’m making a burlap runner for another friend and wanted to add more than ribbon and a pin. I now know it will be a flowers instead. How wide do the small flowers measure when finished? Thanks again for these fabulous flowers. Can’t wait for tomorrow to get here. rj
amber heagerty
Emily, you are just so incredible…thank you for your inspirations and heart for sharing! I am featuring your posts on my blog this week 8}
XXOO
Terrell
Absolutely LOVE this! You have the very BEST tutorials and design ideas! Thank you oh so much for sharing and I always look forward to your tutorials! I end up making everything and decorating my home…so I’m always excited when you show us how to recreate your amazing works! Thanks again!
Anna Joy
Hi, Emily. These flower projects could not have come at a better time. For church, this weekend, I am supposed to make a big box to hold chocolates for moms, and I think the paper flowers are going to be absolutely gorgeous (if I can make them as well as you can). Also, I have two pieces of clothing that have needed embellishments for a long time – the cloth flower today is perfect. Thank you!!
P.S. I mentioned you in my blog today, and then I had the thought, “Is that legal to do without permission?” So is it? I hope so.
kelly
i love flower week, i can’t wait to make flower headbands for my soon to be born grandaughter!
pamela
These are adorable. And they look pretty easy, just my style! Can I rent you as “my cool sister that creates amazing stuff?”
Maribeth
LOVE the flowers! You have this not so crafty girl into a craft nut! Thanks for all that you do.
Just wondering about the burlap runner–were the flowers attached at the end? And were there more than one? I would love a picture if you have it or is it linked somewhere else in your site? Thanks!
Chantalle
I am loving these flower tutorials…what an exciting week!
thanks so much
Kristin S.
Thank you for doing this! I’m so inspired! Love Love Love!!!
Shes.No.Martha
Emily: where do you typically purchase your fabrics (esp. the linens?) Thanks!
Melanie
I love all your flower tutorials! Thanks so much for sharing! They are wonderful, and I can’t wait to try them out!
Julia
These are so fun! Thanks for sharing your expertise….I am loving all of the inspiration:).