Leather Flowers
Martha teaches Amanda Seyfried how to make stylish leather flower accessories.
Watch the Video
Leather Flowers
Martha teaches Amanda Seyfried how to make stylish leather flower accessories.
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The Martha Stewart Show, May 2010
Wear lovely leather flowers as a pin or clipped to the top of ballet flats for a timeless spring look.
Tools and Materials
- Leather flower template
- Card stock
- Thin leather (such as pigskin or sheepskin)
- Pen
- Sharp scissors
- Bowl of very warm to hot water
- Paper towels
- Pencils
- Styrofoam block
- White craft glue
- Small wide-mouthed cup, like a teacup
- Craft knife
- Clear grid ruler
- Coil-less safety pin or shoe clip
Leather Flowers How-To
1. Print leather flower template onto card stock, and cut out shapes. Trace three small petals, three large petals, and one set of leaves onto leather with a pen. Staying inside the pen lines, cut all pieces from leather with sharp scissors.
2. Dip each petal in a bowl of very warm to hot water, one at a time, rubbing between fingers to saturate (the leather will change color when well-saturated). Lay each petal on a paper towel and dab off excess water. Pull each petal to stretch; pinch and organically accordion-fold ends of petals. Open and hang each petal upside-down over a pencil stuck in a Styrofoam block, so it dries in a curved cup shape. Let dry for 8 to 10 hours.
3. Overlap two of the larger petals in an "X" shape and affix with a dab of white glue. Continue securing petals to the center with glue, one more large followed by three small, offsetting each one. Place in a small cup to dry.
4. To create the stamen/center, cut a 4-by-4-inch square of leather. Beginning 1/8 inch from one side, slice leather from top to bottom every 1/8 inch with a craft knife, leaving borders on top and bottom of 1/4 inch (a clear grid ruler makes measuring and guiding these cuts easier). Draw a bead of craft glue along the 1/4-inch borders on top and bottom of wrong side of leather. Fold and match glued edges together, creating a row of loops. Draw another line of craft glue along bottom edge of loops, and roll up tightly. Glue to middle of flower and let dry.
5. Trace leaf onto leather and cut out. Fringe edges of leather leaves with scissors or craft knife.
6. Mix two tablespoons craft glue with one cup very warm or hot water; saturate leaf in glue mixture. Mold leaf around dried leather flower, and pinch tops of each leaf in half to make a main "vein." Place in cup until dry (about 4 to 5 hours). Once dry, glue leaf to flower. Attach a safety pin or shoe clip to back.
Resources
Leather may be found at leatherimpact.com. All other tools and materials are available at most crafts stores.
Template says cut 3 each but in the video they are saying 4 of each. Template needs corrected.
In regards to the sides of the pig suede it is ALL pigskin... one side would be the flesh side, the other the grain... Top Grain is the top or grain side, the upper layer. With pigskin you can see the hair follicles on the grain side of a skin (the little dots Martha talks about). The Flesh side is the slightly sueded back of the leather. When they say the "pigskin side" they mean the top, the grain side.
If you are in Southern California Standing Bear's Trading Post http://www.sbearstradingpost.com cuts many of their leathers so you can purchase pig suede by the square foot as opposed to purchasing a full skin. For those looking to make these for their "non-leather wearing friends" you can purchase faux suede at most Michael's Craft or Joanne's fabric stores.
Hi, I love the blue dress at about 10 min into the show and I was wondering if I could get a picture or details of it. Thanks
Hi, I love the blue dress at about 10 min into the show and I was wondering if I could get a picture or details of it. Thanks
Hi, I love the blue dress at about 10 min into the show and I was wondering if I could get a picture or details of it. Thanks
Hi, I love the blue dress at about 10 min into the show and I was wondering if I could get a picture or details of it. Thanks
Hi, I love the blue dress at about 10 min into the show and I was wondering if I could get a picture or details of it. Thanks
Hi, I love the blue dress at about 10 min into the show and I was wondering if I could get a picture or details of it. Thanks
The purse was Valentino =)
The purse was Valentino =)
What was the name of the designer purse that your guest had just purchased?
You can use leather from garments found at thrift stores; most stores include these items in their 99 cent sales. I buy plenty of pants, skiirts and jackets that work for various crafts.
I loved this craft, but am wondering what suitable fabric might be used in place of leather for my non-leather wearing friends? HELP!!
Video is still not available to view.
I loved these. Can you buy the leather in small quantities from this retailer?
Can you show what the twisted safety pins look like that Martha used for these flowers. Can't wait to try these! Thanks.
martha i love your show. i have watched your show for years i love it. i never own
a computer, untill i turn 72 years old. all the things i have miss. i love it and you
all are great. dukesmommy71@yahoo.com