I love a good project. In fact I feel a little lost when I’m not working on something. This week, I’ll be putting together a tutorial each day on some of my favorite projects, which {I think} are also some of yours.
Let me start by saying I probably didn’t come up with any of these on my own. I’m not that creative. I love looking around me for inspiration and then figuring out how to make things on my own and with my own twist. I also don’t like to spend much on projects, so all 5 days will be very inexpensive and will hopefully utilize things you may already have. Okay, now that that’s out of the way :
It was only natural for me to begin with my current favorite project – one that you’ve seen in my shop, on the baby {over and over and over again}, as favors at my sister’s baby shower, in many of my what I wore posts and in this family picture:
Can you guess?
Here’s what you’ll need:
:: polyester satin
:: scissors
:: candle & lighter
:: ruler {not really necessary}
:: needle & thread
:: beads or other center embellishment
STEP ONE: cut squares
first square {3 x 3}
second square {2 x 2}
third square {1.5 x 1.5}
don’t feel locked into these sizes : make them as large or petite as you like.
STEP TWO: round the corners
They do not need to be perfect circles {in fact, I like them a little off}. You can also skip this step and do the flowers as squares. Both ways are beautiful.
STEP THREE: melt the edges
Using a candle, gently {and carefully!} hold the edge of each circle over the flame {not touching the flame} until the fabric begins to melt & curl.
If the edge is burnt and you don’t like the dark parts,
simply cut it off and melt again.
If your material ignites {as I have found some do} it’s probably just best to start over with a different material. I haven’t figured out why some polyester satins melt and others burn : I’ve found that the thicker satins used for lining work well.
STEP FOUR: stack them up
STEP FIVE: stitch them together
Using a need & thread, start from the bottom and make a stitch.
STEP SIX: add the beads
STEP SEVEN: tie a knot and snip the thread
Done!
You can add lots of layers for a fluffier flower
or cut out a felt leaf
and attach {stitch or glue, your choice}
add one to your bag
or to embellish a pair of shoes
pin one on a sweater or jacket
attach to a hair clip
or magnet
sew on a pin
make a headband
or add it to a hat
I hope I’ve inspired you to make some flowers!
please come back tomorrow for day of the tutorial series :
{linked to http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/}
linked to
Amanda
I love these flowers! I’ve made so many of them for gifts and for my own daughter. Now baby girl #2 is on the way and I need to make more! Thanks for sharing!
Francine
Je demeure à Montréal (Québec) et j’aime votre site , Féliciations !!!
Anat, Carob Studio
Dear Emily,
thank you so much for the tutorials. I love your creativity and your great taste,
love the way you designed the house. I cerefully follow your posts, there is so much to study. Kisses
Des roses et des Choux
I realy love what you do. It’s soo sweet.
Sorry for my bad english… I’m french.
Best regards
Chantal
Des Roses et des Choux
Shara Lee
Hi Emily,
I’m new to your blog & am LOVING the fun, doable tutorials. My daughter and I are making the curling flowers. Our inquiring minds are curious – how you figured out that the candle’s heat would curl the material? Thanks for sharing your love & God-given gift to create with us. Shara & Olivia :)
JOSELINE ARMISTEAD
You are so creative. This flowers are so gorgeous i didnt knew wish material they were done. thanks.
Miriam Reyes
Thanks so much for sharing your ideas and tutorials, I was planning to make paper flowers and found that yours were the best on the web.
Miriam
Tania
Hi…I love, love, love the little black and white baby shoes with the bow…do you know where I can find such an adorable pair or at least the brand?
Thanks, Tania
Lois Springer
Wow! Great flowers! Very versatile. I can even use these on cards. Thank you!
Varada
Hi Emily,
Thanks for putting this together. I’ve used this technique to create a pretty little headband for my little princess. It’s looking so pretty. Check it out at:
http://varadasharma.com/2012/01/a-headband-mini-tutorial-and-two-pairs-of-earrings/
Thanks for sharing,
~Varada
Daisy
I love these making these right nor Christmas gifts!
jami
i have a question…where can i find those simple baby elastic headbands? not having luck at michaels or hobby lobby
Amanda Noel
I got mine from Joanns. I used the 1/8″ one. Good luck!
Natalie Simerly
I just wanted to let you know that I used this idea for my boutonnières in my wedding this past spring. I was able to do over 50 for under $12!! Some were put on hair clips for my flower girls others put on elastic bands for corsages! Thank you SO much for your ideas! :)
Ana
LOVE THIS! Can’t wait to go to the fabric store and buy some satin and beads! Thanks, it is awesome!
Yuri Sagarra
Thank you for sharing your tutorial…..love them!!!!…..
from México
Rachel Hodges
Easy and fun! My satin keeps catching on fire, but I actually like the singed look (because I have to).
Amanda Noel
You can try using a thicker satin. I had that problem as well. My fingers were not happy with me afterwards.
IRIS CHAPA
Made this kind projects i can relax my mind after stress day
Amy @ Serve at Once
How inspirational! For someone who doesn’t have a creative design in her body, this looks so do-able. Thank you!
Melissa M
I cant wait to make a bunch to accessorize my daughter’s fairy party!!! thank you for all amazing ideas!!!
Katie
I love these. I’ve been blessed with a granddaughter and two great-nieces in the past year. I now have something sweet and not too expensive to make for all of them!
leah
Love these flowers! I’m making some right now!
catherine
made these this weekend…..love, love love. they turned out just as adorable as the pictures. (i made mine into pins) just wish i had bought more colors
corrie
I am having a little girl due to arrive in July (very similar family arrangement, 3 boys 6 and under and little girl on the way)! Anyhow, I was looking over the tutorial of the flowers and noticed the small headband and would LOVE to know where you got it or how you made it:) Love the small size!
Thanks so much for y our help! Love your blog!
Katie
This tutorial has brought out my crafty side for the first time…literally! Thanks so much, my flower pin came out beautifully.
Mary
so I tried this w/some ADORABLE green polka dot silk material last night for St. Patricks day. The silk was NOT a good idea. It went up in flames…. literally… hahaha!!! I’m going to try the polyester next time! and have a fire extinguisher close by as well! :)
maria martha
thanks so much…. you are one of those blessed souls who does not keep their talents to themselves… God Bless you… and your loved ones…
Anjel McGeorge
I finally found the time to make these absolutley adorable flowers I placed one on a magnet, headband, purse, hair clip oh and I made nonnas flower pin I am so excited!!!!!!!!!!
Sabrina Arave
i made these a couple of days and used them in our family photo shoot…love them. They are so much cuter, cheaper, and sturdier than the ones that i have bought at the store and they don’t fray…gotta love that.
katie
Thank you so much! I am getting married in June and LOVE this DIY project! Can’t wait to try it out =)
Patti
Made them! Love them! Super cute!! Thanks for sharing your tutorial.
Meredith
Hi Emily! My daughter and I are making these for the first time tonight. She really likes the rhinestone centers you used on some of your flowers. Can you tell me what they are or where to get them? Also, thank you for your blog and tutorials. My husband is in the military and we are far from family and friends making for some long days and weekends right now. My daughter and I have enjoyed studying your tutorials and planning trips to craft stores for supplies. After the flowers we are on to the book wreath!
Natalie Rychecky
Oh so cute! Can’t wait to make some for my baby girl! Where did you find the skinny white headband?
emily
The headbands are thin elastic from the fabric store. Easy peasy.
Christa
Wow. I want to make a million of these right now. Adorable. Easy. Thanks for the awesome tutorial!!
jyl
These are adorable!!! Thanks for sharing! (;
Heidi N
Me and my 11 year old love making these. We use them instead of bows for presents and gift bags. Super cute.
Steph S.
So simple & so beautiful…thanks for sharing! :)
Kat
This is so super cute, thanks for sharing. I want to make and put these into a cute messy headband thing…
xox Festival Girl,
http://festivalgirl.blogspot.com/
Judi
I’m going to give these a shot. My sister-in-law to-be wants rosettes on the bridesmaid dresses. I’ll make a few up and see if she likes them. I can just see them on her little nephews now who will be ring bearers!
Rachael
FABULOUS!! I CANNOT WAIT TO MAKE THESE! Thanks for Sharing!!
shawna [of styleberryBLOG]
this is great! sharing with all my FB fans now! ;)
Katy Lunsford
Thank you for sharing, I’ve been looking for this tutorial!
Leslie
Oh my goodness, these are too cute. They look so simple to make and I can’t wait to try.
Question: Can you use any other type material to get the same look?
Rebecca
i love these! when you make headbands for your daughter, do you just use regular elastic, or do you buy baby headbands somewhere? i want to make some for my 7 mos. old baby girl, and was wondering. thank you!
Lindsey_E
Love, love all you flower embellishments! Can’t wait to try these!
Cheryl O'Donnell
I am so in love with your web site and ideas! I have to be careful not to spend the whole night looking through yur greatness! Thank you for sharing all your great ideas, I truly believe what we share we get back, ten fold! xoxo Cheryl / Voondi
Shelby
so easy and SO adorable…my friends will all get one for the holidays:)
Amber Bailey- Nel
wow, love these. I shall be making some of these this week, thanks for sharing. Amber xx
KRISTIE ENDRASKE
Wow, thank you for inspiring me…..
Cheri
just love the look of these flowers. I can’t wait to try them…so easy!
ali
Love these! Made some this weekend and blogged about it here:
http://huyoungheaven.wordpress.com/2010/09/20/how-to-flowers/
Thanks for the tutorial!
Jenna
I’ve seen these around blogland, but never tried it. I finally did thanks to this super-easy tutorial! Oh my goodness, I am in LOVE! I made two today – one as a hair clip for my daughter and one as a pin for me (that I’m wearing now!). Thanks for this! I can’t wait to make more!
jami nato
and we are meant to be BFF’s. my son wore this suit on easter. who can withstand the seersucker of it all when you’re in target?
becky
Love this tutorial, Im going to make some with the colors of fall.Thanks for sharing!
Alaina Moeller
Oh my gosh, I have seen these flowers and they are so easy to make. Thank you for sharing.
Allison
These are adorable! I have now made them into magnets, headbands, everything. I’ve also made them in every color imaginable. I absolutely love them!
Heather
Hi! I found your site off of Today’s Creative Blog! I love your craft! It looks so great on your adorable family! I am your newest follower! Woo hoo! I hope you stop by my new blog. I just started it 2 months ago and would love new friends! Please come see me at http://www.modernfamilymagazine.com
-Heather-
Mary
I am new to the blogging world but let me say I am thrilled to become a part of so many wonderful and creative people. You are at the top of the list. I am so excited and wish I the fabric stores were open. Beautiful! Thank you for sharing!
Scarletomy
Beautiful tutorial! Great job! I am going to the fabric store today so I can try it myself!
I found your link on Todays Creative Blog-link party
Amanda
Oh…so, where do you get your headbands for the flowers?
Kim-todays creative blog
Your blog is beautiful! Love the flower tutorial. Don’t forget to link to me too. sniff sniff
Kristi-Punkin Seed Productions
These turned out beautifully!!! Come plant your creative seeds at my blog party on Fridays: Plant a Punkin Seed at Punkin Seed Production!
Off to explore the rest of your blog – fun finding you!
Kristi
Punkin Seed Productions
Kelsey Cafferky
What gorgeous flowers!! I’ve attempted some myself but they never turned out this good. Great job and thanks for the “how to” on making them. Question for you…when you make your headbands, do you just use regular elastic for the band part? What length do you normally cut it to? Is there an elastic that you like the best? I have a one month old baby girl and I’m so excited to make these flowers and headbands for her! Thanks!!
Wendy @ the Shabby Nest
What a great tutorial!!! Thanks for sharing and linking up to Frugal Friday…I’ve been wanting to make some of these…guess I’m off to the fabric store. (Oh, and you look amazingly gorgeous in that first photo, by the way.)
sandi @ the whistlestop cafe
Another Friday’s Favorite! Come join the linky party~ this is one I am making for sure.
Thanks bunches
Patty
I always wanted to try this but figured I’d burn down the house in the process.
Roslyn Atwood
Nice tut, simple & sweet project
Staci Johnson
That is sooo cute!! you have some fabulous ideas of uses for those cute flowers:) Thanks for the tut!
Visiting from justsewsassy.com
I have a fun giveaway going on right now!
april's craft nest
some of the flower ideas out there are too time consuming and others like this one, looks great and appears to take little time! love it! and the photo of your family is darling!
Kristin
LOVE LOVE!!! Thanks for sharing. I just found your site and I am loving it!
Amanda
Look at all these comments!! You have earned yourself lot’s of followers! Okay, so just wanted you to know that my girlfriend and I are going to make flowers galore on our cabin trip this weekend. Hello kiddie naptime activity!! I love flowers and she has a baby girl — we’re set! …and my purse is begging for a flower… :)
Yanet Spitler
I love these flowers! I’m going to try it. Thanks for the GREAT tutorial.
Bethany @ The Paper Pony
I love this tutorial! Especially all of your fabulous ideas about where to use these lovely flowers- awesome!
Ginny
Thanks for the tutorial. I’m looking forward to trying them.
What size beads are you using?
Chrissy
soooo sweet!! I’ll be making headbands now asap ;-)
Stacey
Oh my stars! What made you think to do that with the candle? So cute!
tammy
ok so you finally gave out your secret! I thought you were never going to tell me! LOL So beautiful and so great and I am so surprised that your FIRE FIGHTER husband lets you teach all of us how to play with fire like that!
meg duerksen
so pretty.
i love them all!
Priscilla
I’ve made a bunch of flowers recently but they’re a little different. I can’t wait to try these! It’ll be a great craft for me and my 12yr old daughter. Thanks for sharing!
Abbie
Emily,
Can I just say how much I LOVE timely answers (that require little or no effort on my part) to burning questions that I have. It’s happened twice today.
1) I wondered where in the WORLD my bank card had gotten off to, and a new one arrived in the mail today quite unexpectedly.
2) I have been wanting to learn to make JUST these sorts of flowers (the ones with the curled edges) and did a brief, unsuccessful internet search before clicking on your tutorial (via my email updates; nice touch) and practically squealing with joy.
God is good, even in the tiny details, isn’t He?
Alison English
Love it! I am totally trying this. I wanted to make some headbands for my 2 1/2 year old and she is going to LOVE this!
Stacy@TheProjectShoppe
LOVE them I tell you!!! Even though my little girl just started high school today, she still loves things like this…so do I. Can’t wait to make them. Thanks so much for sharing!
Amanda
Thinking all my stuff and my daughters will be covered in flowers pretty soon! Thanks for the tutorial ;-)
Angie
I am so excited that you shared this. I LOVE it and can’t wait to give it a try.
chasity
i’m gasping with excitement….
i love fabric flowers but i’ve never seen them made this way.
i adore them and can’t wait to give it a try!!!!
thanks so much for this wonderful tutorial~
cailan
So sweet of you to share this. I love dressing my one little girl, but hair adornment is that last elusive step I never seem to get to – I’m going to have to get on this…Love how you used it for the boys too. I found those Cherokee suits on sale for my boys for next year. Thank you!
Colleen
Just wanted to link you up to some info on the clementine font. You can make it so that all the letters are closed, if you would prefer it. :)
http://www.dafont.com/clementine-sketch.font
LOVE those flowers!
Lemonade Makin' Mama
You HAVE!!! You have totally inspired me! :)
fancythis
OOH! I’m excited that you did this one! Love it! AND I get to play with fire! ;)
Jane
Very cute! Can’t wait to have a few minutes to myself and make these!!!
Kim Ellis
cool, thanks for sharing. If you do stamping and have an embossing heat gun, you can use that to melt the edges too. So cute, think my granddaughters need some.
Brittany (aka Pretty Handy Girl)
La, la, la, lovely! I can’t wait to try this. And I love that you used them on your little handsome boy’s lapels.
Brittany
http://www.prettyhandygirl.com
charis
this is so cute! i am sharing it with my sister who loves to make this kinda stuff for her 3 girls!
Becky
How I’ve wandered here, I don’t know, but I LOVE your blog and your style. Can I be like you when I grow up? When I saw these flowers I thought, I can do this, so I have been cutting and melting and stitching all week. Fun to see your tutorial and see I figured it out myself. Not that it’s too difficult, but it still makes me cheerful. :)
Gina
I love these! I think it may be something I can actually try myself. Thanks for sharing!!
Tiffany
Loved this tutorial!! I will definitely have to try this out!
Tessa
Thank you so much for sharing. I love your flowers and can’t wait to make some of my own. The flowers on little Audrey’s shoes are my favorite. Don’t think my boys will go for that one! :)
Traci
Ugh. Who KNEW those were so darn easy?! Trying it for SURE! =)
Thanks for the post!!!
Monica
Hi Emily-
These are adorable! Thanks so much for all the details! Hopefully I can make some of these without burning down the house! So excited for the rest of the week!
Amy
Ok, love this. I have done some that are similiar (attempting to copy Emersonmade) but I think I like this technique way better :)!
kelly
so easy and cute!!!
Marissa
I LOVE it…I’m thinking that I need one to pin to a scarf this fall……thank you SO much for sharing!
Megan
So cute! I wish I had a little girl to make these for! Hmmm, I wonder if my husband will notice our boys wearing one…
Jill Lee
So excited, going to go get fabric today to try and make these! love them as pins and in pony-tails for my girls! Great idea for tie-backs for curtains, I might have to try that too! Thanks for the great lesson, and can’t wait for day 2’s!
Amanda M.
okay, so i make flowers, but a little differently and i have always loved yours. like oh-so-much loved yours. i am so excited to make some. thank you so very much for sharing. i think my little flowers are going to become tie-backs for a set of curtains and i think they are going to look fabulous. thank you sooooo much!!!
Anonymous
FYI – if you use the ^ symbol it will close the end character when using the Clementine Sketch font… thanks!
julie
hey girl! thanks for sharing this! i was wanting to try these and so glad you gave me direction! i will be making some of these sweet flowers!
susan isaacson
Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge! I can’t wait to make some of these for my grandchildren, and friends at church! Can’t wait to go shopping for the fabric! Oh, and thanks for the warning about combustible polyester! Boy, that would have been a surprise! Blessings on you!
emily
how creative! just lovely.
Jo in New Prague, MN
AWESOME!! I have 2 friends whose daughters are getting married next year. i’m going to make one as an example and we might use these. Thanks so much. Excellent directions – great pics – beautiful little flower. I can’t wait for Lesson 2. Have a great day.
Molly
I love this tutorial! Such cute ideas on where to wear them, great job!
Arlene Grimm
Love Love Love!! Thanks for sharing.