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As we near the end of this tiresomely long winter, it's time to adorn ourselves in pastels and floral ready for the spring. What better way to do that than with an accessory that is versatile, chic, and best of all, handmade?!
YOU WILL NEED:
Satin ribbon x2
Needle and thread
Scissors
(LINE) lighter/ tea-light candle
Tape measure
TIPS:
Try to use the same colour thread as your fabric to ensure a cohesive look is achieved.
You can even use an old satin piece of clothing that you no longer wear and are looking to upcycle.
STEP 1:
Start by taking your satin ribbon and folding it in half. The length of your satin will determine the size of your flower. I opted for 50cm, but a longer piece of satin will create a larger flower, perfect for a bag charm or statement neck piece, or a shorter piece of ribbon creates a smaller flower, great when attached to an earring for a floral accessory. Repeat for the second piece of ribbon.
TIP: For longer pieces of satin, folding once more will save you time on the next step!
STEP 2:
Keeping the fabric folded, cut along one edge in a half-circle shape. Uniformity and neatness in these cuts is not important, in fact cutting varied shapes creates a more realistic flower. Don't worry about the fabric fraying either; step 3 has you covered! Repeat.
STEP 3:
Using a (LINE) lighter, carefully burn the edges of your fabric that you have just cut. This will ensure that the fabric does not fray, sealing the edges and tidying up the cuts made in step 2 to create a smooth finish. Don't hold the flame too near to the fabric and you can always use a tea-light candle if you would prefer. Repeat for the second piece of ribbon.
STEP 4:
On the straight edge of the satin ribbon sew a simple running stitch all the way along the ribbon. Once you reach the end, pull on the thread you have just sewn to gather the fabric. Knot the end of the thread and repeat for the second piece. You can also do this using a sewing machine to save time, pulling one of the threads.
TIP: the more you gather the ribbon the more compact the flower will be. Play around with tightness and size to find your ideal shape.
STEP 5:
It's now time to create the shape of the flower! Take one of the gathered pieces of ribbon you prepared in step 4 and fold/ roll the fabric with the shiny side of the satin facing in. This is to ensure the right side (shiny side) of the fabric can be seen when you are done. Each time you fold the fabric sew along the edge so that the flower can take its shape. This step may be a bit fiddly, but remember that flowers can be any shape, so it does not have to be perfect! Once complete, add the second gathered piece of fabric around the one you have just sewn, repeating the process until you are left with one flower made from the two pieces.
STEP 6:
It's now time to decide how you would like to style your flower! For a choker/ bracelet, sew on to a piece of ribbon. This is your chance to be creative- I decided to use a thin piece of ribbon, but a chunkier satin could create a bold look. Alternatively, attach to a pair of earrings or a key chain to add a floral motif to any look! Or how about using a glue-gun to bind your flower to a clip? This way it can be attached anywhere from your head right down to your toes, elevating any pair of heels. The choice is yours from the way you style your floral accessory to the colours you choose. The possibilities are endless!
We would love to see your own creations using this how-to-guide! Send us your floral accessories on our Instagram @line_warwick
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