ARTICLES Articles 2 min read

How to Make a Fabric Flower: Floral Embellishments for All

how to make a fabric flower
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Quilted bags are among my favorite sewing projects. Why? They are easy to make and it’s one project where no one ever asks, “What are you going to do with it?” Everyone knows how useful bags – especially quilted tote bags – can be. In my opinion, you can never have enough. Most tote-style quilted bag patterns follow a similar structure – the difference is in the fabrics you use and the embellishments you add. So with that in mind, we’re sharing Vanessa Christenson’s fabulous tutorial on how to make a fabric flower!

A fabric flower adds punch to this tote bag by Vanessa Christenson.

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How to Make Vanessa Christenson’s Fabric Flowers

The Twisted Fabric Flower embellishment Vanessa Christenson made for the Little Girl Handbag she demonstrated on Quilting Arts TV Episode 1213 adds just the right touch. You just need 1/8 yard of fabric to make these fabric flowers. One flower takes 2 strips, 1-1/2 ” wide by width of fabric.

1

Measure down 3/4″ from the top of the bag and in from the right side 2″. Do not have your flower go past this point. To make this an easy task, I find it is helpful to draw a circle where your flower will be with a washable marker. (I used a mason jar as a template.)

2

Fold the end of 1 strip lengthwise, wrong sides together. Fold again a second time.

3

Start the flower by placing the end of the folded fabric on the drawn circle line and take a few stitches in the folded edge, then backstitch.

4

Gently twist the strip outward. Sew the twisted strip to the sewn line on the inner edge of the twist (approx. 1/8″-1/4″ from the inside edge). Continue around the drawn circle gently twisting and sewing onto the curved line.

how to make a fabric flower
Vanessa Christenson’s twisted fabric flowers, shown on a pillow cover.

5

Once you finish the outer edge of the circle, spiral inward, overlapping the inside edges of the previous circle to prevent gaps. If the strip runs out before you finish the flower, start another strip remembering to backstitch to secure the ends.

6

Once you fill in the circle shape, backstitch a few stitches and trim the fabric strip close to the backstitching.

How Will You Use Your Flower Embellishments?

These fantastic flowers make great embellishments for pillow covers, quilted bags, clutches, and more! Plus you can make them any size you want so they’ll perfectly fit your needs. Do you sew or quilt bags or fun embellishments? What’s your favorite style? Let us know on Instagram, Facebook, or in the comments section below!

Best,

Vivika DeNegre

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