Flower Power. A tutorial!

So, my friends.  Remember this bolero?  The one I made 2…or was it 3?! mockups for?  The one I asked for input for?  The one I schlepped to Philly for critiques?  The one I bought $26/yard trim for at M&J Trims?!

Well forget it!   Yesterday, Miss Erica came by with a totally different idea.  And asked me to draft it.  Sooo, a half hour later, I had this mock up in paper….and today made up this one in
fabric…. Please remember that all these pics are mockups. Hence the frayed edges, and lack of pressing or steaming.  But then, you know me well enough to know that I don’t leave frayed edges on finished things!

Basically it is a long piece of fabric, tapered at the ends, pleated, with fabric flowers.  The draft tweaking was done with the aid of a napkin at breakfast after church today.  I didn’t want a seam visable at all, so I had to figure out how to cut it, with tapered ends, and have the seam at the centre back.  I am trying it with a back attached, but that will be Erica’s decision.  I think it will look good either way.    Oh yes- the flowers will be ivory silk / organza to match the dress too- but I wanted to make some colourful ones!

Now for those flowers!  They are a blast- I really love the look of them.  Kinda roses, kinda ranunculus. 

I found some directions on this website, but thought that a tutorial with photos would help.

Fabric Ranunculus Flower Tutorial

Start with a square of fabric.  The length should be about twice the size of what you want the finished flower to be.  For instance, if you want a flower 4 inches in diameter, make your square 8 inches by 8 inches.
Fold it into a triangle, right sides together.

Handsew a running stitch along A. The folded edge, and B. ONE open edge.  I have marked the sided to stitch with pins.  That’s right, hand sew!  Vary the length of your stitches from 1/4 inch to 1 inch in length.    Stitch about 1/4 inch from the edge.  Any closer and it comes apart later.  Oh, and use strong thread, or double your thread.  Otherwise you run the risk of snapping it later, and having to start over!  Those varying stitches make the random width of the flower “petals” . 

Leave long ends on the thread too.  Gosh, I hope you read the entire instructions before you begin!

Turn it rightside out.  This is the beginning of forming the flower.  Those stitching lines will run across the flower when you are done (just an observation for you) Start pulling those threads, forming the flower as you go.  Really it is magic!  I didn’ believe it until I actually made one!  When you get it as tight as you want it, tie the ends together.  Using the thread ends (if you used a long enough thread, otherwise grab some more)  tack down loose edges, and make any structural tacks as necessary.  I used my needle to coax the shape.  Steam it when you are done.  To finish, handsew a piece of felt or organza on the back to cover up the raw edges.
Voila!  A lovely flower, or two,  to adorn a coat, sweater, scarf – or a bridal wrap!  Adding beads would make them look even more perfect!

Tagged as: bolero, flower, tutorial, Wedding sewing, wrap