5 days of favorite projects {day 1}

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?

Yep. These fun {and simple}

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/}

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