What Can Be Done With Paper?

Instructions on How to Make Fabric Flowers

These are brief instructions on how to make fabric flowers but first please allow me to start by telling you how it all started.

Last December, my co-workers and I went to the mall to buy gifts for our significant others for Christmas. We all ended up buying fashionable pocketbooks from the same store. Personally, I wanted to make my wife's pocketbook stand out from the others in some way and not look like all the others. I pondered over this for a few days afterwards, then I had a marvelous idea. Some of my wife's favorite things are from the fabric store and the flower shop. Since I am an avid origami flowers buff making the usual origami paper flowers would be predictable, therefore that was the answer - Making fabric flowers.

My only worries were that I would not know where, or what materials I needed to make them, or even exactly how to make the flower since I had only been accustomed mainly to paper crafts, including paper flowers. To my relief, the needed materials were very easy to acquire at the local hobby shop.

The other thing I was worried about was the time it would take to make the fabric flower, since I didn't know how long it would take to make and Christmas was quickly approaching. Not to mention messing up this new and expensive pocket book and whether or not my flower, even if created correctly, would look okay on it! Again, to my relief it was very inexpensive to buy all the supplies and once everything was acquired it took very little time to make it.

There are only a few items that are needed to make this fabric flower for your significant other, or even your mom or daughter. You will need some fabric, a little piece of felt, some thread (preferably of the same color), some fabric glue (this is optional), and a template (this is the pattern of your design that you trace on the fabric) which you can easily draw the outline for yourself, have someone do for you or find on the internet and print out. The only tools needed are scissors, needle, button (this is used to hide the stitches), and a pin back.

The first step is use your scissors to cut out the number of flowers needed (indicated on the template) in your fabrics. Use the dotted line to cut into each flower.

Next, take the two large pattern flowers and stack them neatly on each other. Fold in half, then lay the smaller flowers on top of the larger flowers, overlapping them.

Then, use your needle and thread to make stitches in the center to hold all the petals together. Now, tie the button over the stitches with the remaining thread from the previous step.

Finally, cut off a round piece of the felt and secure the pin back on to the felt and then sew the felt to the center of the back of the flower.

You can use a dab of fabric glue behind the felt for more security.

I have to tell you that I stupidly tried making my first flower on the pocket book and I did mess up the fabric flower and then had to buy another pocket book. Ouch! I guess I was anxious to get it done on time and my better sense eluded me. I learned my lesson and I recommend you practise a bit on some paper or cheap cloth first. However, I ended up getting it right and it came out great.

After the holiday was over, my wife began showing off her new pocketbook with the cute fabric flower on the front of it. All her friends were in awe because they didn't understand how I could have found the time and the patience to make the pocket book with the fabric flower and how different I had been from most in the originality of my gift. Unbeknownst to them, it took me about an hour to make it and a ten minute stop at the store to get the supplies. That was it!!!

I never thought that in a million years that this would be a hobby to recommend to others. I had grown fond of paper and origami crafts but never fabric in this sense. I admit that I was terribly mistaken.

Now I recommend this creative hobby to you or anyone that is asking for a fun and inexpensive way to express your creativity, not to mention impressing your wife and friends. Just don't go starting out experimenting on expensive pocket books like I did!

About the Author

In the next step you should not have to go to great lengths to learn How to Make Fabric Flowers or other kinds of flowers. No doubt you could also use visual help. Erich invites you to visit his free site with images, instructions, videos & more plus this other #1 recommended resource How to Make Origami Flowers.

Origami Instructions - Book

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Origami R5-01 General Purpose 3-Shelf Steel Collapsable Storage Rack, Large $96.97 These Origami folding steel shelves are truly magical! Using principles from the ancient Japanese art of Origami paper folding, they open in a mere 20 seconds, then fold flat again just as quickly for storage. No tools required! Each shelf holds 250 lbs. Steel with pewter powder-coat finish. Great for the office, garage or warehouse storage....

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Folding Paper for Origami $5.89 Origami is a popular pasttime for people of all ages and skill levels, and provides fun for everyone. Now itÆs possible to have an endless supply of origami paper on hand! This paper is 7 inches square&#8212the perfect size for more exper...

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Flower Origami (Paperback) $15.4 A book that teaches readers how to make beautiful three dimensional flowers--including bluebells, dahlias and azaleas--out of paper includes 20 projects and 100 sheets of specially design origami paper. Original.

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Origami Wings Bamboo Floor Mat $19.99 The grace and exotic beauty of another place is captured in the simple style of this bamboo floor mat. Upon it, colorful butterflies flutter their wings against bold floral medallions, creating a chic addition to any room. Real bamboo wood is stitched together on this floor mat with durable fabric binding, and its backing is made of a non-skid material....

Fred and Friends Origami Napkins Pack of 40 $8.50 Fred & Friends Origami Napkins Pack Of 40....

Origami Wings Bamboo Floor Mat $44.99 The grace and exotic beauty of another place is captured in the simple style of this bamboo floor mat. Upon it, colorful butterflies flutter their wings against bold floral medallions, creating a chic addition to any room. Real bamboo wood is stitched together on this floor mat with durable fabric binding, and its backing is made of a non-skid material....

Sonic Origami $8.80 Originally issued in Japan in 1998, Sonic Origami was released in the U.S. a year later with the bonus track intact. [Sonic Origami is also available in an import release.]...

Oragami's Showcase $2.97 ...

Barbie Birthday Party at Walt Disney Epcot '94 $14.98 Celebrate with Barbie and her friends at the new live Barbie Show at Epcot. Plus, see and exciting preview of new 1994 Barbie dolls and fashions....

Origami R3-01 General Purpose 3-Shelf Steel Collapsable Storage Rack, Small $39.00 These Origami folding steel shelves are truly magical! Using principles from the ancient Japanese art of Origami paper folding, they open in a mere 20 seconds, then fold flat again just as quickly for storage. No tools required! Each shelf holds 250 lbs. Steel with pewter powder-coat finish. Great for the office, garage or warehouse storage....

Origami R5-01 General Purpose 3-Shelf Steel Collapsable Storage Rack, Large $96.97 These Origami folding steel shelves are truly magical! Using principles from the ancient Japanese art of Origami paper folding, they open in a mere 20 seconds, then fold flat again just as quickly for storage. No tools required! Each shelf holds 250 lbs. Steel with pewter powder-coat finish. Great for the office, garage or warehouse storage....

Origami Shelf Heavy Duty Wheel $14.53 ...

Independent Lens: Between the Folds $12.96 Synopsis: Item Type: DVD MovieItem Rating: NRStreet Date: 01/05/10Wide Screen: noDirector Cut: noSpecial Edition: noLanguageENGLISHForeign Film: noSubtitlesnoDubbed: noFull Frame: noRe-Release: noPackaging: Sleeve Please note: This supplier will be closed on 11/24, 11/25, 12/26, 1/2 for the holidays. The shipping cut off is 12/10 to try and have the products delivered by Christmas....

Origami Paper Traditional Prints 8.25 49 Sheets $6.88 Description not available.

Envirosax 'Origami' 3-bag Reusable Pouch Shopper Tote $22.99 These 'Origami'-themed reusable bags by Envirosax are convenient and reusable. The bags roll up into a tiny four-inch pouch that is easy for you to take anywhere.

Folding Paper for Origami $5.89 Origami is a popular pasttime for people of all ages and skill levels, and provides fun for everyone. Now itÆs possible to have an endless supply of origami paper on hand! This paper is 7 inches square&#8212the perfect size for more exper...

Amerileather 'Origami' Leather Shoulder Bag $67.99 This Amerileather Origami shoulder bag features a uniquely handcrafted design of origami styled ninja stars and metallic studs. The zip-top closure provides security and interior pockets help keep you organized.

Flower Origami (Paperback) $15.4 A book that teaches readers how to make beautiful three dimensional flowers--including bluebells, dahlias and azaleas--out of paper includes 20 projects and 100 sheets of specially design origami paper. Original.

Easy Origami $7.91 Make wiggling snakes, a jumping frog and many more fantastic creatures through the art of paper folding. Easy-to-follow, step-by

Easy Origami $3.91 Charming collection of 32 projects (hat, cup, pelican, piano, swan, many more) specially designed for the novice origami hobbyist.

Kirigami $8.86 Instructs readers on creating twenty-five paper crafts, including kirigami cutouts, gate cards, and pop-ups.

Origami You Can Use (Paperback) $9.85 Origami models can be more than decorative, and this unique volume shows how! Twenty-seven practical projects include a CD case, frame, napkin ring, seeding pot, and dish. Easy-to-follow instructions feature 400 two-color illustrations. Fun to mak...

Origami Flowers $7.87 This captivating guidebook combines two enchanting traditions — the Japanese art of ikebana, or flower arrangement, and origami, the ancient Japanese practice of paperfolding. Easy-to-follow instructions and an abundance of illustration...