It’s no secret I’m a bit of a romantic,  so with Valentine’s Day just around the corner, my creative mind is in full love mode. And that doesn’t necessarily mean cutting out countless heart shapes. But I do love to add a little “lovely” to my Valentine’s outfit. A pretty flower brooch is just the perfect mix of elegant and cute.  This brooch is also perfect for clearing those sewing remnants of projects past. 

The brooch might look complicated, but it’s actually far easier to make than you’d think. Just takes a little time and patients since it’s all pure handwork. But, it’s that more special, isn’t it?

THIS IS WHAT YOU NEED:

• Fabric with a high synthetic fibre content – it should melt easily when ironed
• Felt
• Petal templates
• Scissors
• Candle
• Pearls and sequins
• Needle and thread
• Brooch pin
• Glue gun/fabric glue

The template I used for the petals is below (in scale)

THIS IS HOW TO MAKE IT:

STEP 1 – You need to cut out 6 petals in each size, so fold the fabric into 6 layers (1), then place the first template on the fabric and pin in place (2), finally cut the petals out following the template (3). Repeat with all three petal templates.

STEP 2 – Light the candle and start to carefully burn the edges of the petals (4). You can cut a few extra petals for practice, but I’m sure you’ll get the hang of it quickly. Just put the fabric slowly closer to the candle, until you see the edge start to melt a little. Then start to slowly turn the petals until all edges are burnt (5). Repeat with all the petals (6).

STEP 3 – Now start to assemble the flower (7). Take all the big petals and make a 6 petal flower out of them so that a small part of the petal tips are overlapped in the center. Sew the layers together in the centre. Then take the middle sized petals and make another flower and sew it together, then attach it to the bigger flower so that the smaller petals are positioned in between the bigger ones (like standing in a group photo). Repeat the same steps with the small petals and you’ll have your flower.

STEP 4 – Take some sequins and pearls (8) and sew them into the center of the flower (9).

STEP 5 – use the middle template to cut out and oval felt batch. Take the brooch pin, put it in the middle of the felt batch, mark the ends and cut two small slits where the markings are (10). Then put the needle through one of the slits and the fastening hook through the other. Use a glue gun or some other craft glue to fasten the pin with the felt batch onto the back of the flower. All done!