Garland of Flowers

With summer arriving in a few weeks, I thought I would decorate with flowers, but not the real kind. Instead, I created some fabric flowers that I saw on Pinterest.

First I had to make a pattern. I played with it a few times before I liked one. They were easy to do and a great way to use up scrap fabric.

I got a little carried away making them so I also added them to the fireplace as well. I still have some stars and stripes items on the mantel. 4th of July is coming so I left them up after Memorial Day.

Here is what you will need:

scrap fabric

scissors

pattern (download it here)

buttons

poly-fil

Pinking shears)optional)

Directions:

1. Download the pattern here. Cut it out and then place it on two pieces of fabric.

2. Cut out the flower. You can use pinking shears now or after you have sewn your flower together. I have done both ways, although I prefer to do it after I have stitched around the edges.

3. This next step can be done by hand or using a sewing machine. Stitch around the edges of the flower but make sure to leave an opening to stuff in the poly-fil. I leave one petal open for stuffing.

4. When stuffing the flower, make sure to add stuffing to one petal at a time. I like to use a wooden chop stick, small scissors, or what ever you have to push the stuffing into the petals. I like to make mine fairly tight but still be able to add a button in the center. I usually sew up the last petal by hand. I do a section and then stuff more if need be and continue to sew it up.

5. I used vintage buttons on mine, but use what ever you have. I made a few without buttons, so do what you like. I sew the button on going through to the back of the flower. You could put a button on both sides if you wanted.