Fabulous floribunda (that's Latin for fabric flowers, I think)

Looka, I made a whole mess o' fabric flowers for my hen party Girls Night Out friends.

This one is silk necktie fabric.

The wool fabrics are my favorites.

Home dec fabric

Gingham. Me love gingham.

Click fabric flower link for the original Design Sponge tutorial source plus check out my suggestions for quicker, faster, easier flower success.

Lace and ribbon flower

Gathered a 12" length of grosgrain ribbon with a triangular pattern running stitch in a coordinating thread
Adjusted the gathering for consistent ruffle.

Knotted thread and sewed ends together.
Stacked ribbon atop gathered lace and topped with large vintage button.
An easy and thrifty corsage flower.

Flower power

Following so many sewing and craft blogs on Google Reader, it's easy to forget on whose blog I spied a neat pattern. Anywho, someone mentioned a vintage McCall's pattern with millinery fabric flowers (that means hats, I tell ya). . . only to learn that the pattern was re-issued as M6047.

This week I found myself in one of the last existing WalMart stores with a fabric department and remembered the pattern. The number in my head was transposed but quickly found in the McCall's pattern book. Two remaining patterns in the drawer, yay. As I took two steps away from the pattern cabinet, I flipped the pattern over to see the price. "Dang!", I must've said aloud because the fabric clerk looked up and asked if I needed help.

"I didn't realize the pattern was $17.95," and wondering if I really needed it.

"Let me scan it for you. Our pattern prices are usual lower than marked. Yes, it is $6.50."

Score!

Party flower success

Design*Sponge posted an easy "Party Flower" tutorial and I finally got around to making one the other night because I love a craft that can be done while watching television. Click on the tutorial link, print the template and follow the directions.

My suggestions, after completing two flowers:

• Print 4 copies of template and cut each size petal for pattern. (I printed on cardstock weight paper.)
• Iron fabric.
• Starch for extra "petal loft". You can always scrunch it if the fabric is too stiff.
• Pin each size petal template to prescribed layers of fabric and cut all layers at one time instead of tracing each.
• If you find the bottom layer is too large for your flower, fold it under and whipstitch it.
• Use pinking sheers on bottom layer for frayed finish.
• Try different weights of fabric for unique looks
• Layer tulle or organza with your fabric for extra flair