Tentacular Dahlia Fabric Flowers

Giving fresh flowers for Mother’s Day is always nice -- but so is making fabric flowers that Mom can cherish.

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The blossoms here attach to brooches or pins that she can wear as adornment now and keep as mementos for years to come. Crafts editor Silke Stoddard designed these dahlias so they can be made from nearly any kind of cloth -- and since you need so little to make them, they're a great way to use up scraps. They'll look just as pretty clipped to her clothing as pinned in her hair -- or simply placed on her bedside table.

Snip, Sew, Ready To Go

A variety of fabric weights -- lightweight organza, linen, various cottons, velvet -- will work, but the thickness will affect the drape of the petals and the fullness of the flower. You may want to adjust the length of the strips: Cut longer for sheer fabrics, shorter for heavier.

What You'll Need

Materials

  • Linen and organza fabric, in similar shades
  • Detail scissors
  • Sewing supplies
  • Pin (see options)

Instructions

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    Cut one 2-by-36-inch strip from each type of fabric with detail scissors. (For a smaller version, cut 1 1/2-by-30-inch strips.) Snip V shapes into each strip, about 1/2 inch from edge. Place one strip on top of other.

  2. Sew a running stitch several inches along bottom, through both layers, 1/4 inch from edge. Every 3 to 4 inches, pull thread to gather; secure with a double stitch.

  3. Spiral strip tightly to create flower shape, securing with random stitches. When it's completely rolled, stitch through all layers to secure.

  4. Cover stitched back with a small disk of fabric. Sew to desired pin.

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