Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Fabric Flower Bracelet

I have gobs of fabric scraps in my stash, leftover from previous projects. But, most of them are too small to do anything substantial with. I was watching iCarly with my nieces a few nights ago and she was wearing the cutest fabric flower necklace. I'm not a huge necklace girl, but I liked the concept. So I evolved the idea into this. I won't lie, it took a good hour and a half, but I'm a fan of how it all turned out...

First take some household items of varying sizes that can help you trace out some fabric circle. I used a baby bottle, a Salt City candle, and a spool of thread. Find a color scheme you like, and cut out the fabric circle.



Next, stitch around the outside of circle, being sure to stick close to the edge. If you want to be extra safe, you can even run a little fray-check around the edge of the fabric.





Once you've made it all the way around the edge, pull the thread tight until the circle forms a pumpkin-looking shape.





Push your needle through the center of the gathered top, and thread through the back where you can tie off your thread. I even did a few passes back through the top and back down to make it a bit more durable.



Continue this process with all of your fabric circles and press them flat with an iron. Once you've finished making all of your flowers, lay them out to find a grouping that works for your taste.




Cut a strip of wool felt that's wide enough to accommodate the grouping of flowers, and long enough to wrap around your wrist. Start sewing on your flowers. Stitch through the center, and continue to stitch small stitches around the outside of the flowers to make it stay in place. I let the outer flowers hang over the felt a bit so the felt is more hidden.

I embellished my flowers with vintage buttons that I found in a tin from my Grandma Tresa. But, I know most thrift stores have bins of buttons you can buy loads of for a STEAL!




The great thing about working with wool felt is, it holds its own pretty well. So, button holes are super easy. First wrap the strip of felt around your wrist and mark with a disappearing quilting pencil where you want your button hole to be.



Then, take a small and SHARP pair of scissors, and cut a straight slit where you've marked your button hole. No sewing is necessary for this step, but I did do a small stitch around the outside of my slit simply for looks.



Sew on your button. I prefer a button that is the same color as my felt, so the flowers, the REAL centerpiece of the bracelet, can take center stage.




And, ta-da! A little whimsical and feminine fabric flower bracelet. Now, do I keep this for myself? Or, give it to my little sister for Christmas... it's a true debacle.

21 comments:

  1. So cute! I think these flowers would be cute made into a brooch.

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  2. I make the yo-yo's and use them to decorate misc items and I use embroidery thread thru the button holes, tie in a not and cut with about 1/4 inch thread showing. I think it makes them look even cuter. Thought I would share!!

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  3. ohh love! Can't wait to try this tonight, it's so vintage and chic -- just my thing=) I would love to feature you over at my blog...maybe a blog tutorial swap since we are both just starting out. Can't seem to find your email so if you are interested email me at mammatortilla@gmail.com. Have a great day! Melissa West

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  4. OH I LOVE THIS! I don't sew, but I think I need to start so that I can make all of your cute stuff. I definitely need one of these bracelets! Great blog, Emily!

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  5. I love making yo-yo's! This bracelet would be such a great yo-yo project. Thank you for sharing.

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  7. Hi Emily-

    I have made these yo-yo's into a quilt and decorated a wall with them for a decorator showhouse, but have never seen them made into a bracelet. The buttons and the different fabrics really make it special. I am going to start rummaging thru my house to find some stray ones I may still have laying around to make one myself.

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  8. I was looking for some information or pictures on bracelets because my mother loves to make them, yours are very beautiful and original, which fabric do you recommend to use?.
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  10. I saw a necklace similar to this on forever21 and when I went back to buy it, it was sold out. :( Then I found this how-to, so now I can make my own! Yay, thank you. :)

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  13. Thanks for sharing. I love the fabric flower bracelets! How fun and creative. I am very artistic but I did create my own personalized rubber wristbands, if that counts?

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