The Polka Dot Flower Headband Tutorial

Welcome to my first ever tutorial!

I had a few requests to post a tutorial on how to make the fabric flower that was in my last post, Little Red.  So I thought I'd kill two birds with one stone (Gee! That sounds terribly un-environmental/uncaring/politically incorrect doesn't it!) make it fun and add it to a baby headband :o)

So here goes....

What you'll need:

• A strip of fabric (It's up to you what size & length - that'll all depend on what size flower you want to make - mine was about 18 inches x 3 inches)
• Matching thread
• Button (a bigger button will hide your center work better)
• Needle
• Elasticated lace (for the headband)
• Scissors or Rotary Cutter
• Sewing machine & Serger (Serger not essential, but makes it easier to keep things neat and tidy)
  

Step 1 - Cut out your piece of fabric

Step 2 - Fold fabric in half, length ways, right sides together

 Step 3 - Serge or simply sew ends together

  Step 4 - Now you should have a formed circle.  Fold the fabric in half, right side out and either serge or sew all the way round.  I find it both easier and neater with a serger, but it shouldn't make much difference if sewn (just tidy up neatly).  This center piece will more than likely be hidden by the button, so it needn't be perfect!

 

 Step 5 - Get your needle and thread ready for some hand sewing!  I like to do (what I call) a double thread and put a bulky knot at the bottom of the thread, so that it won't come out when I'm doing my starting stitches - as illustrated in the pic above with my shaky arrow & circle!

 

 Step 6 - Create your starting stitch, starting from the inside of the formed ring.  (Please excuse the blurry pic... I get shaky on one handed snap shots!)

 

Step 7 - Hand stitch all the way round your sewn edge.  This will create your gathering.  I've sewn mine with an approximate 1.5cm length stitch.  Experiment with different lengths to get the gathering that you are happy with. (Once again... apologies on the blurriness.. but how about that free hand drawing huh!!)

Step 8 - Once you've gone all the way round, pull the thread to gather.

If you are half way through pulling your thread and your soon to be flower is not looking like this ... um.... you're in trouble!! GO BACK!! hehehe

 

Step 9  - Once you've pulled your thread all the way and have a nice little flower formed, keep the thread pulled firm enough so that it doesn't loosen and stitch off.... BUT... don't cut that thread just yet!  We'll keep it on to attach the button and lace ;-)

So at this stage, you should have something that looks like this.

Step 10 - Now, just to secure the flowers form a tad more, bring your thread back and forth, side to side even, keeping the sewn thread as tight as you can.  

 

 

Step 11 - When you're happy with that, bring the needle from the bottom of flower through to what will be your facing side so that we can add the button, which is about to hide the lovely mess you just made!

Step 12 - Now just sew in the button like you would any old button.   

(If you're flower is going to be used for a baby accesory, be sure to secure it really well!  Babies are notorious for shoving small objects in their mouths and buttons are a favourite!)

....And there you have it!!!

A fabric flower!!! 

 

 

Now for the Headband for bub....

Take your piece of elasticated lace that has been measured and cut to fit baby's head.  My piece measures 38cm (this includes roughly 2 cms that will be left after sewing together).

So it's pretty easy... fold the lace in half and sew a zigzag stitch with your machine, then either serge or snip the end to leave it neat and tidy.  

Now, hand stitch the lace to the flower at the seam of the lace and you've got yourself an adorable headband for baby!

 

Give yourself a star!!!

Hannah is either really happy with her new hair accessory or she is plotting to take over the world with cuteness!!!

Well there you have it ladies (and gents if you've managed to hang in here this long!).... That concludes my first tutorial.  I'd love to get your feedback :)  I'd also LOVE to see your creations!  Please don't hesitate to leave a comment below, even if it's just to say Hi.  It makes me all gooey inside when you share the love... and even gooier when I get a new follower!!! :)  I hope this has helped those who asked for a tute :-)

I'll be linking up at all the fantastic linky parties listed here or you can click on my linky party tab at the top of the page.

Pin It