https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/simple-scorched-fabric-flowers • Posted by ErsatzEpiphany
I've seen lots of these flowers on Etsy (used on hair clips, hats, jewelry, and more) and seen a few different tutorials on the web, so the other night I decided to try my hand at making some - I'm hooked! These are really simple, and good for using up scraps of fabric or lone buttons you have around the house. I love these because I don't have a sewing machine, and I'm always looking for ways to make fabric flowers that won't involve tons of hand sewing. PLEASE BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR LIGHTER AND/OR CANDLE! Try not to burn yourself, or your work area. ;)
I've seen lots of these flowers on Etsy (used on hair clips, hats, jewelry, and more) and seen a few different tutorials on the web, so the other night I decided to try my hand at making some - I'm hooked! These are really simple, and good for using up scraps of fabric or lone buttons you have around the house. I love these because I don't have a sewing machine, and I'm always looking for ways to make fabric flowers that won't involve tons of hand sewing. PLEASE BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR LIGHTER AND/OR CANDLE! Try not to burn yourself, or your work area. ;)
Cut out several circles in different sizes. You can use as many layers as you like - so far I've done 5-8.
Make sure that the sizes line up, trim as needed. Your circles don't HAVE to be perfect, but if you like, use a guide or stencil to help.
Light your tea candle. Some tutorials I've seen say to just use a lighter for this, but I think a candle is easier. Lighters get too hot! Carefully hold the edges of your fabric up to the flame, they will begin to curl slightly. (You can test the different fabrics using scraps from your circles. It will help you become familiar with how close to put your fabric to the flame and the ways that they react when they begin to burn a bit.)
Turn the circle until all edges are singed.
Repeat steps 3 & 4 until all your circles have had their edges scorched.
Arrange your circles the way you would like them (I don't line mine up perfectly, I like them to be a little messy. I think it looks better that way.) Thread your needle, and pass it through the center of your flower.
Use a few small stitches to secure everything. (Sorry for the black thread. I was too lazy to stop and find my white thread - since the stitches are hidden in the end, it doesn't matter too much what color you use!) Just be careful that your stitches will all be hidden by whatever you want to use as the middle of your flower. :)
Cut a small circle from your felt scraps, and hot glue securely to the back of your flower.
Lastly, add the center to your flower! You can use cabochons, rhinestones, buttons, or whatever else you think will be pretty! I just hot glue mine over the area I made the stitches on. Finished! Now you can do lots of things with them - put them on a hair clip, a headband (see my next how-to!), sew them to a belt, hat, or shirt, add them to a brooch, use them for scrapbooking, or maybe card making... I have a lot of plans for these!
LAST NOTE! Seems like synthetic fibers work best, natural ones don't seem to like to scorch as well. I'm still just messing around with different scraps I got from a specialty formal fabrics store. So far organza and sheer type materials work really well, and mesh, lace, silky type fabrics... Taffeta (the circles in the pic) doesn't seem to work at all :( I'll update this with more info as I discover it :P Let me know what works for you, please :D