When creating with textiles managing small scraps is almost inevitable. As we are in love with fabrics, we don’t want to throw anything away. But if we don’t throw away our little scraps, we must especially not accumulate them for ever! So let’s explore ways to upcycle them.
Denim flowers is a creative and fashionable way to upcycle little scraps. They are simple to make and as it is hand sewn it can be done in front of the TV slowly, for me anything done slowly is quite relaxing. Besides, I don’t know how to explain it, but making flowers….makes me happy! It’s like gardening with textiles:)
FLOWER TUTORIAL VIDEO
TO MAKE A DENIM FLOWER BROOCH YOU WILL NEED:
- This Kinsu pattern;)
- Denim scraps
- Retailles de cuir, cuirette ou feutre (une matière qui ne s’effiloche pas)
- Leather needle
- Fabric scissor
- Jewel pliers
- Colle à tissus (j’ai utilisé de la colle de poisson)
- Paint brush
- Hot glue
- Hair clip
ABOUT THIS FLOWER PATTERN
- The flower pattern is downloadable and in pdf format
- Letter format printing, black and white.
- This pattern has four pieces in total. (A-B-C-D).
- The pattern allows three flower sizes
Psst… tu peux tracer le patron toi-même, mais en téléchargeant le patron tu me donnes un p’tit coup pouce et tu m’aides à créer d’autres contenus;)
1-CUTTING INSTRUCTIONS
SORT AND SELECT FABRIC SCRAPS
D’abord, il faut trier les retailles en fonction de la grosseur de fleur que tu veux confectionner en te basant sur les pièces du patron.
- For the small flower size use pattern D
- For the medium size flower use pattern pieces C and D.
- For the big size flower, use pattern piece A, B, C, D.
THE SMALL SIZE FLOWER
Cut 4 times flower D.
THE MEDIUM SIZE FLOWER
Cut 4 times flower D and 4 times flower C.
THE BIG SIZE FLOWER
Cut 4 times flower D, 4 times flower C, 2 times flower B and 2 times flower A.
FOR EACH FLOWER YOU NEED TO CUT:
For each flower you will need to cut a leather cercle for the back to hold the hair clip in place.
2-BOND THE FABRICS
The secret to a successful denim flower in my opinion is the stiffness and the body you’ll be able to give it. You have to create a 3 dimensional effect. My tip is to bond two layers of denim together.
To bond the fabric together I use fish glue. I like that glue, because it is natural and have a soft smell. However, it should not be used on a product that need to be wash regularly because it is water soluble.
I’m currently experimenting deferent type of glue and would love to know more about what you use, so don’t hesitate to leave your comments bellow.
La colle s’applique sur l’envers de la fleur. Bien important, d’enduire toute la surface de la fleur de colle à l’aide du pinceau. Après, tu déposes la seconde fleur par-dessus et tu presses. De la colle sur une seul des deux fleurs suffit.
Tu dois répéter l’opération pour toutes les fleurs et laissez sécher. Une colle naturelle prend généralement plus de temps à sécher, dans le cas de la colle que j’utilise il faudra environ 2 h. Lorsque les fleurs sont sèches égalisent les bouts qui dépassent au besoin.
3-SEWING STEPS
SEWING THE SMALL SIZE FLOWER
First you need to thread your needle and tie a small knot at the end of the thread. Then you fold in four one of the two D flowers. You sew it folded with a few stitches and finish with a small knot. Then you fold the second D flower over the flower button you just sewn. You fix both together.
This is the least pleasant part of that project, because it is very thick. If you have a good needle and a bit of patience it will be done easily. Don’t hesitate to use the pliers to pull the needle.
When the two flowers are fix together you finish your stitch with a small knot and your small flower is done!
SEWING THE MEDIUM SIZE FLOWER
To make a medium size flower, you must first make a small flower.
Then you take the two flower C and fold one of them in half, and fix it at the center with a few stitches. Make a small knot to secure your stitch when you are done. Then you fix it on the second flower, taking care to shift the petals.
When the two flowers are well sewn together you finish it with a small knot. Then you fix to small flower to the medium size flower. Pin your needle only in the outer flower of the small flower, this way will be less thick. When it’s well fix you end your stitch with a knot.
SEWING THE BIG SIZE FLOWER
To make a big size flower you first need to make a medium size flower. You then fold flower B in half and fix it with a few stitches, then tie a small knot to secure the stitch. You then sew flower B on to the center of flower A, taking care to shift the petals. Finally, you fix the medium size flower to the big flower. To make it easier pin only the outer flower of the medium size flower. When all is fix tightly finish your stitch with a knot and you are done;)
4-FIX THE HAIR CLIP
The final step is to fix the brooch or hair clip to the flower. You place the leather circle to the middle back of the flower. With hot glue, fix the leather piece to the flower towards the edge only. Once the leather piece is well fix, slide the clip inside the middle. You are done, all you have to do is to wear it.
Finito!
5-SHARE YOUR CRAFT
J’adore voir tes créations tag-moi sur insta @kinsu_atelier
#denimupcycler