These fabric flowers are all the rage and super easy to make. The tattered, or raw, edges mute the original fabric's design and give the flowers a vintage feel. Stitch a pin to the back, and you can add them to just about anything: pillows, aprons, jacket lapels, belts, headbands. They take just a tiny bit of fabric and are a great way to use up some of your too-small-for-anything-but-I-can't-bear-to-throw-away-this-gorgeous-fabric scraps.

Sewing Tools You Need

• Any Sewing Machine (we recommend the Janome 2160DC)

Fabric and Other Supplies

• Scraps of your favorite fabrics: we used Color Defined Aqua and Brown Zebra Stripe from Faye Burgos for Marcus Brothers Fabrics, and two pieces from our leftover stash: Heather Bailey’s Bijoux in Gold Tiled Primrose, and Heather Bailey’s Pop Garden in Lime Sway
  NOTE: Each flower takes one strip 2” x apx. 45”. You could seam together smaller pieces to get a long enough strip. Use a ¼" seam if you decide to do that.
• Small button for the flower’s center (optional): we used vintage buttons
• All purpose thread to match
• Hand sewing needle
• Thimble (optional)
• Scissors or rotary cutter and mat
• Straight pins

Getting Started

1. Cut one strip 2” x apx. 45” for each flower.
   

At Your Sewing Machine & Ironing Board

1. Fold in each short end of the strip ¼", wrong sides together, and press.
   
2. Fold the entire strip in half lengthwise, wrong sides together, and press.
   
3. Set your machine's stitch length for a long basting stitch.
4. With the edge of your presser foot running along the folded edge of your strip, stitch the length of the strip. Do NOT back tack at the beginning or end.
   
5. Remove the stitched strip from your machine, leaving the thread tails long.
   
6. Pull the bobbin thread to gather the strip to about half its original size.
   
   
7. Use your fingers to even out the ruffles. Because the strip is so long, it tends to want to twist and turn. Before you start to 'roll' your flower, make sure your strip is untwisted.
8. Thread a hand-sewing needle with thread that best matches your fabric.
9. From one end, start to roll up the strip. Just like your making a cinnamon roll, only without the calories. The folded edge should be toward the center; the raw edges toward the outside.
   
10. Insert your hand needle and thread into the beginning of your roll, hiding the knot.
    
11. Continue rolling, stopping at each rotation to make a stitch with your needle and thread to secure the fabric into its spiral.
    
    
12. When you get to the end of the roll, take a few extra stitches to secure the end of the strip (because we folded in the edges when we originally pressed the fabric, the end of the strip is finished). Knot off your thread.
    
    Back of flower
    
    
    Front of flower
13. Working from the front of the flower, spread out the spirals of the roll with your fingers – these have now become your flower's 'petals.' The more you pull apart the petals, the softer the flower appears.
    
    NOTE: The original length of your strip and the tightness of your roll are the two things that determine the final look of your flower. Want a bigger flower? Use a longer strip. Want a softer, fluffier flower? Roll more loosely. Want a smaller flower? Reduce the length AND width of your original strip.
14. The rolling technique makes a nice, neat center, so you don't have to use a button.
    
15. We like the extra dimensional accent the button provides, and so added one to ours. Simply spread out the spirals (the petals), and nest the button in the center. Stitch in place from front to back with your hand sewing needle.
    
16. The flower is now ready to be used as an embellishment. You can stitch it in place as-is, or attach a jewelry pin or safety pin to the back, which is what we did.
    NOTE: We decided on the safety pin option because our flower was going to be used as an embellishment on an item that might need to be washed. These flowers can NOT be washed, so we wanted ours to be able to be removed prior to laundering.
17. Open up the safety pin (or jewelry pin) and whip stitch in place.
    
    
18. The name 'Tattered Flower' comes from the frayed raw edges. At this point, you can simply clip any long, dangling threads and call it good. Or, for more tatters, gently pull a few more threads from the raw edges, clipping as necessary.
    

Other machines suitable for this project include the Elna Sew Fun and the Brother XL-2610.

Comments (54)

Ethel Kelley said:

... I'M just getting back into crafts and sewing. This will make a perfect red flower for my Red Hat Ladies Club. Also we have one birthday party a year to exchange gifts. These could make wonderful gifts. Thanks

January 29, 2012

Linda L. said:

... Love these! I've been doing them from the other side, the raw side. I like this idea of gathering on the fold instead. Thanks! Found this on allfreesewing.com (one of my favorites to browse for ideas).

January 12, 2012

Jackie Fields said:

... These flowers can be used as embellishments on journals and greeting cards. I love making the journals and cards and am always looking for different ways of making the flowers for both of them. Thank you so much for the information.

January 10, 2012

RlS said:

... ooo what a cute idea for valentines day..

January 01, 2012

Kim Petroske said:

... Super cute. I'm going to make up a bunch for the granddaughter, 2. They would be so cute pinned on her dresses or hats or coat. Fun

December 01, 2011

Kathy-Ann M said:

... cute idea I just made these but since I am new to crafting I didn't have any cute buttons. I used what material I had on hands. Thanks for posting!

November 28, 2011

Liz Johnson, Editor, Sew4Home said:

... @ Faith Simpson - we don't have any type of sea salt body scrub tutorial. Although we are happy you're here, you must have us confused with another site. The closest thing we have is a set of sachets that are filled with scented bath salts: http://sew4home.com/projects/fabric-art-a-accents/862-happy-mothers-day-sweet-hanging-sachets

November 27, 2011

Faith Simpson said:

... Hi! My friend sent me a link for this site a while ago and i decided to try it out. I found the perfect gift for my mother, a sea salt body scrub tutorial. But when i went back today to find it it was gone, i really would love to make this for her. If anyone knows the link please let me know, i know she would love it as a present

November 27, 2011

Faith Simpson said:

... Hi! my friend sent me a link for this site and i found the perfect home made gift for my mom, it was a sea salt body scrub but when i went back to look for it today it was gone. I searched everywhere for the tutorial. Can anyone help me out? It would be the perfect Christmas present for her

November 27, 2011

Jeleoz said:

... Just used this to make my first non hand sewn flower!!!!! Thanks!

October 07, 2011

TIARA said:

... I LIKE THIS, I AM GOING TO MAKE ME ONE FOR MY HAT.I LOVE IT,

September 26, 2011

GIGIFABMERCHANT said:

... The flowers are GREAT. I can"t wait to try them. I worked at a fabric store for 25 years so needless to say I have tons of fabric and vintage buttons. I can't wait to try my hand at this craft. Great job soooo talented.

September 23, 2011

Jett-son said:

... Thanks for the tutorial. Easy instructions! This would be a good project for young/new sewers. This is a great way to change out your accessories here in sunny Florida!

September 14, 2011

Sherry Waldo said:

... I make homemade hobo purses for friends, family and resale. These will look great on the flap. I usually add an antique button but this just will add another dimension and look. Plus whoever has the purse and chooses to wear the flower on her lapel can do so. Thanks for the directions.

September 14, 2011

LR said:

... These are great!!

August 09, 2011

Bonnie Rae said:

... Lovely idea to add to my purse insert organizer needin that something!

August 04, 2011

Bonnie Rae said:

... Your generous flower ideas make expanding a floral look so inspiring... such as by the use of machine decorative stitching along the chosen edge. Also, even my shorter scraps did not go to waste as they became a flower with tucked in raw ends. We thrifty sewists can find joy in simple pleasures. Now I can add a flower to a purse insert organizer(needing something else)that was just made last night. Thanks so much! Bonnie, TX :-)

August 04, 2011

heli said:

... excellent flower......

July 27, 2011

lalita solomon said:

... Beautiful tutorial !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thanks

July 16, 2011

lalita solomon said:

... excellent !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WAS DYING TO LEARN THIS. THANKS

July 16, 2011

misran said:

... thx nice flowers and open new ways of experiments for me.

July 07, 2011

this is very pretty i will love trying them said:

... i like the different size

April 10, 2011

Annette Barron said:

... I love these!!! I've been in the process of making a vibrant wall quilt with 3D flowers. I was already adding various sizes of yo-yos, some layered, and with various objects for centers. I am now adding some of these beautiful flowers to it... ohhh, I can see the finished quilt in my mind now...and its fabulous! LOL ->(*.*)

April 04, 2011

Turrilynn said:

... This is one of the best tutorials I've seen on tattered fabric flowers. I'm getting ready to make burp cloths, shabby chic style, and instead of a ruffle on some of them, I'm going to attach these flowers! I think they will be fabulous. Thank you for such great inspiration!

April 04, 2011

Fiona & The Fig said:

... Another easy way to ruffle is to simply place a bamboo skewer at the back of your sewing foot, as you baste stitch, hold the skewer tighly in place, it will automatically ruffle the fabric.

April 04, 2011

Fiona & The Fig said:

... Awesome idea, thank you for sharing this!!!!

April 04, 2011

MICA said:

... Gracias,pero muchas gracias por enseñarnos a hacer tantas cosas bonitas.

March 21, 2011

Kmer3257 said:

... P.S. I used my pinking shears to give one of them a different look. I just used them to trim the edges before ruffling the fabric strip. Out of the five, I couldn't pick a favorite because each was a little different from the last.

March 17, 2011

Kmer3257 said:

... I enjoyed making these so much that I ended up making five of them! They are so cute, and what a great use for fabric scraps! -Keri

March 17, 2011

Mellie said:

... I just made a so cute denim purse and now I am going to make one of these flowers for a sweet embellishment. I like the bead idea for the center, I have a lot of them since I make jewelry also.

March 09, 2011

Janiegirl said:

... These are great - tried them with wispy fabric with beads for center - outstanding - thanks for sharing

March 06, 2011

Jyotsna Mehta said:

... these are beautiful! and easy to make it.

March 06, 2011

Mom4life said:

... these would also be great if you attached a hair clip on underside to attach to hair, shoes, clothes, belts, headbands, and change up the materials into lighter and fancier scraps of material! This would be great for my little girls outfit and hair embelishments. Thanks for sharing with us.

March 05, 2011

MonaABOC said:

... This sounds like the perfect excuse to FINALLY try out my ruffler foot! It's such an intimadating thing....I've had it for years and never used it. This is the perfect little project to do just that! Thank you!

March 05, 2011

conlmack said:

... If you don't want them tattered...use the folded side as the top side. They look elegant. You can even use a little fiberfill to make them puffy & fun.

February 26, 2011

tday said:

... these are the cutest ever going to make some today thanks for sharing

February 23, 2011

Lenore Justman said:

... I use buttonhole thread in the bobbin when sewing gathers. It's stronger and easy to pull.

February 23, 2011

Liz Johnson, Editor, Sew4Home said:

... Hi Liz B -- your idea might indeed make a fluffier flower. It's most dependent on the type of fabric you use. Even with the simple cottons, I choose, I could have easily continued to pull threads to fray the flowers more and more. I don't think cutting on the bias is necessary, that takes a lot more fabric. What I like about this flowers is they are a great use of thin scraps. Let us know how your idea turns out. Thanks!

January 20, 2011

Liz B said:

... I love these flowers! Thanks so much for sharing. I was wondering if you made the strips wider, and cut the fabric on the bias, then washed the flowers in the washing machine, if they would look like cheneil? I was thinking it might make a really fluffy flower. Hmmm, guess I'll have to try it!

January 20, 2011

Jillian said:

... Awesome tutorial and cute flowers!

November 21, 2010

Liz Johnson, Editor, Sew4Home said:

... Hi Carol H -- thanks for the blog post. I think it looks just dandy even without the button -- pretty fabric.

November 04, 2010

Carol H. said:

... Here's the link: http://creativecarol.wordpress...lower-pin/

November 04, 2010

Carol H. said:

... Thanks for these instructions. I made a pin and blogged about it at: http://creativecarol.wordpress...ower-pin/ One hint: Don't do like I did - roll it too tightly at the beginning. I wasn't able to add a button to the center!

November 04, 2010

Liz Johnson, Editor, Sew4Home said:

... Hi Life, Love, Green -- thanks so much for passing us along to your followers

September 27, 2010

Life Love Green said:

... Just wanted to let you know I linked up to these on my blog! Amber http://www.lifelovegreen.com/2010/09/flower-hoop

September 27, 2010

Liz Johnson, Editor, Sew4Home said:

... Another great tip, ratherbesewing, plaid would be great for fall!!

September 16, 2010

ratherbsewing said:

... So cute! and you can use plaid wool for fall which also works well. Another way I like to 'ruffle' if you're ever using a heavier fabric and want to pull tighter-use dental floss. It's easy and it doesn't break (as sometimes your thread will when you pull to gather-this is how: 1. Set your machine stitch to a zig zag stitch just wide enough to 'cross over' the floss. 2. Pull out a piece of floss that is long enough to cover the expanse of what you want to ruffle (you can lessen the amount you use after you try it once) 3. Position your fabric to sew and lay your floss down on your fabric so that you can zigzag over the floss. Leave the floss length longer at the start so it hangs free. (I always lock the first & last zigzag stitches so they don't unravel) 4. Zigzag stitch the entire length of the fabric holding the floss w/one hand being careful not to catch it-much easier than it sounds! 5. When you're done, because you've left both floss ends free you can gather from both sides enabling you to adjust your gathers neatly and evenly and your thread won't break! Hope this was clear!

September 16, 2010

Mercy said:

... Gracias por todo lo ensenado, les deseo muchos exitos.Dios los bendiga. Mercy desde Colombia-America del Sur.

September 06, 2010

lara said:

... this is too nice

August 16, 2010

Sew Baby said:

... These are great, and I have a ruffler attachment for my machine, so it should be real easy! Thank you!

June 29, 2010

Liz Johnson, Editor, Sew4Home said:

... Hi Crafty Mummy - thanks for letting your blog readers know about sew4home! Have fun with the flowers.

April 11, 2010

Crafty Mummy said:

... Hi! Just wanted to let you know that I featured your tattered flowers on my blog http://mummycrafts.blogspot.co...orial.html

April 11, 2010

jodieth said:

... These are great. I have been seeing lots of them added to lapels and purses. Jodie

April 05, 2010

debbiedykes said:

... Love these! Thanks for sharing. Debbie debbiedykesgifts.com

April 05, 2010

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