Pretty Pink Organza Flower Pin Tutorial

Fabric flower pins and hair accessories are all the rage and I don't see

them going away any time soon!  Today I thought I would give you a

quick tutorial on a variation of these lovely accessories.

The first thing you will need is some fabric.  For these pins, you will need

the type of fabric that will literally melt or singe the edges.  The fabric that

I am using here is a lovely lightweight organza fabric.  You can find this fabric

in the bridal section of any fabric store.  Silk is also great and I will show

you how to make ruffled silk rose pins in my next tutorial.

First, cut out your fabric into circles and how many circles you cut will depend

on how many layers you want your flower to have.  I cut out 12 circles for

this pin and used a small saucer as a template.  You can make it any size

you want, but you probably don't want to go any larger than a large saucer

so the flower retains its shape.  Don't worry about the edges.  As you can see,

my edges look rather ragged as I cut them out in a hurry, but it doesn't matter

as they will as be "burnt" smooth anyway.

Using a candle as I did, or a tea light, which is probably the better method,

take one layer at a time and gently rotate it above the candle flame using

both hands.  You will get the hang of this quickly, but it does take abit of

practice.  I have had burnt fingers and singed fabric!  You have to find just

the right height...too high and the edges won't melt and too low and you will

singe your fabric.  I also try to gently cup each layer upward while I am burning

the edges so it gives each layer a slightly rounded upward look.

As you can see, each layer starts to take on a petal-like appearance.

When you are all done, your petals will look something like this.  They don't

have to be perfect.  In fact, imperfection makes them rather nice I think!

When cutting your circles at the beginning, you can keep them all the same

size or make each layer slightly smaller than the last which I did.  I actually

cut five large circles, four slightly smaller ones and three smaller ones yet

to give the flower an authentic look, but it's just a matter of taste.

This is what happens when your fabric gets too close to the flame!  Be careful

when doing this, you don't want to start your table, or worse, your house on fire.

Be patient and let the flame work with you, not against you!  In case you do

make a few holes in your fabric, don't worry, you can always "hide" them in

between your other layers.

When you have all of your layers done, gather each size into a group.

You can now see the petals starting to form in this picture.  Then stack

each group on top of each other from the largest to the smallest.

Now it's starting to look like something!

You can now do any adjustments in the look of the flower by moving the

layers around so everything looks even.  If some of the edges are not to

your liking, use your candle again and redo any funny looking edges.

Remember, it doesn't have to be perfect!

Now is the time to sew the layers together and embellish your center.  The

possibilities are endless at this point and you can use a pretty vintage button,

new "bling" buttons or anything you desire.  I like to use pearl buttons or

seed pearl buttons for these flowers.

I actually like to sew the layers together with a few tiny stitches before

adding the center pieces, it just makes it abit easier.  Add your button

or pearls to the center with a few quick stitches and your center is done!

Your flower is almost complete ~ how pretty is this!

They remind me of a gorgeous ranunculus!

For the backing, cut out two circles of matching felt.  I like two circles

instead of one to give the back more strength and stability.

The circles should be abit smaller than the largest petal layer so they

don't show from the front or side of the pin.  I like to use my pinking

shears to give it a nice clean look.  Get out your hot glue gun and

glue the two circles together around the edges and in the center.

Now hot glue the felt backing to the flower.  Don't worry, it won't melt

your fabric!  Now you are ready to attach your pin to the back.  You

can pick up these pins in various sizes at any craft store.  Some people

like to sew these on, I do not!  Sewing them is so fiddely and using your

good old hot glue gun works wonderfully.  There is no way this pin is

going to come off, it is on there for good!  (*_*)

Here is your finished back.  Don't use too much glue or you will have a mess.

Use just enough to cover the back of the pin and press it down gently.

The finished product!

These are so fun and easy.  They are great to make if you are

wanting something to do while watching tv and you can have tons of

circles cut out in different fabrics and colors ahead of time.  Then while

the mood strikes you, just sit down and make yourself a pretty, romantic

accessory to wear this spring!

On my next tutorial, I will make a rose pin using silk fabric.  They are also

very easy to make and end up looking like a gorgeous floppy garden rose!

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial!

~Stacy~