Friday 16 March 2012

Making a corsage flower

I thought that today I would give a short tutorial on making a simple corsage flower. This method involves heat curling the fabric petals and so you must use a synthetic fabric, natural fibres will just burn.

1)  First choose your fabric, there are lots of different types of synthetic fabrics and they all react to heat slightly differently, some will require more heat and some less.

2)  Next cut out your petals. These need only be a simple circle or oval. You can draw around a template or just cut freehand, which often results in a more natural shape. You will need several of these 'petals' depending on how full you want your flower to be. You will also need them in different sizes.

3)  The next step involves heat curling the edges. To do this hold the petal over a lit tea light, use a pair of tweezers or similar (I use small wooden tongs) as you don't want to burn your fingers. Be careful not to hold it too close to the flame as you only want to melt the edges not incinerate them! You can just seal the edges which will result in a flatter petal, or hold it there a bit longer to really curl them.

 
You will probably make a better job of it than I did in this picture, as I was using my left hand and taking the photo with my right!     

4)  When you have finished this part you should have a selection of different sized petals.

                                                                                        

5)  Now stack your petals to get your desired shape and fullness.






6)  Now you can glue and/or sew the layers together and add your beads, buttons, sequins or other trims to the centre.
                                   
                                                                         

7)  Next you need to add your fixings to the back. I normally cut a circle of felt in the same colour, and attach the fixing( brooch pin, hair clip), I usually glue and sew. Then glue and/or sew the felt circle to the back of your flower. 

                               
8)  Voila! A beautiful handmade corsage!


                                       

3 comments:

  1. Hello from your newest follower! I found you on Folksy forums. Love the tutorial, will deff have to give it a go. Your blog looks fab too, gorgeous background! Sally x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sally, great to have you aboard. glad you liked the tutorial :)

      Delete
  2. your blog is lovely and what a great tutorial, I will be having a go at it x thank you

    ReplyDelete