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Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Faux Prima Flower Tutorial

My friend, Shawna, and I were in the creative mood today and decided to try our hand at making some "Faux Prima Flowers".  These were pretty simple to make and once we got the hang of it...they were really quick...

Supplies:
scraps of synthetic, silky fabric
candle
decorative brad
scissors
tulle (optional)

Step 1: Cut circles of various sizes from synthetic fabric.  The fabric that works the best is thin, smooth, silky fabric.  We used different types of taffeta.  The circles we cut ranged from 1 1/2" diameter to 4" diameter.  You do not need to cut PERFECT circles, I didn't make a template or anything, just cut "circular" shapes.  You will need anywhere from 3-5 layers to make flowers like the ones pictured above.

Sample of a "not perfect" fabric circle.

Step 2:  Caution: be careful when executing this step!!!
  
just the edges are burnt/melted

Light a candle and hold the edges of the fabric circle next to the flame of the candle.  Since this fabric is synthetic, it will melt and it will melt really quick...therefore, just lightly place the edge of the fabric near the side of the flame.  Once the edge starts to burn/curl/melt, turn the fabric to melt a little further until you work your way around the whole circle of fabric.  This takes a little practice at first, but after you do a few pieces, it gets really quick and easy. 
   
     
entire surface is burnt/melted

For a little variety and texture, you can then hold the entire piece of fabric a few inches above the flame.  Once the fabric gets hot enough, you will see it begin to melt.  Move the fabric around a bit to get some melted "spots" on the whole circle.  IF you hold it too close to the flame, it will RAPIDLY burn a hole in the fabric.  PLEASE be careful doing this step. 

Step 3: Stack the layers on top of one another to form a flower.
 
edges burnt

edges and surface burnt




Step 4:  Pierce a hole through the center of all of the circles and place a decorative brad through them to hold everything in place.
 
Completed flower with edges only burnt.
 
 
Completed flower with edges and surface burnt.



Optional Layers:

As we were designing more and more flowers, we started adding extra layers of tulle.  We used various sizes of tulle...some had a very fine mesh pattern, others had a larger mesh pattern.  You DO NOT need to burn the tulle.  I think they all turned out beautiful. 



Although they look pretty thick and bulky, they are not, they flatten out and lay nicely on a scrapbook page.   Here is an example of my "test" flower on a scrapbook layout...



Have fun creating these flowers!!!







23 comments:

  1. Love this idea. I can't wait to try it! I love flowers and especially Prima like flowers made of fabric. Soooo pretty!

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  2. Great tutorial! Your flowers turned out gerat.

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  3. Love this tutorial and your take on it. I had seen the burned edges before, but heating it all around makes such a great texture! I love them. Thanks for sharing!!

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  4. How sweet of you to create such a thorough tutorial! I can't wait to try this. Thanks a bunch!!!

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  5. Thanks for such a great tutorial. I'm off to find some fabric to try this.

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  6. Thanks for such a great tutorial! They are beautiful! Can't wait to try them!

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  7. Wow!! these are stunning. Thank you so much for sharing. I shall be playing as soon as I can!

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  8. Gorgeous! Next time I'm at my mom's, I'll have to dig through her old fabric stash and see what I can find! thanks for sharing.

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  9. Very cool. I'm going to work on them right now.

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  10. These are absolutely gorgeous! I tried to make some like this before, but did not burn the edges, so they were very flat and not as curly as yours. I love the effect!

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  11. These are fabulous! Thanks for sharing

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  12. Made my first one but I don't know how to post it. I will put it on fb. I do have two suggestions. 1. Use stainless steel tongs to hold the fabric face down over the flame. This will save your fingers. 2. For the extra texture, bounce the fabric in and out of the flame. This will keep it from getting too hot and you don't have to time getting it out of the flame before it melts.
    http://www.facebook.com/?page=1&sk=messages&tid=1779167724674#!/photo.php?fbid=485379586986&set=a.437508891986.217285.608166986

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  13. Wow!! These flowers are amazing!!! So beautiful and a great way to save on the scrappy budget!!! :)

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  14. What a wonderful technique, I love the surface burnt flowers.

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  15. gorgeous! where are those fabric and pearl buttons from? i love those!

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  16. Okay, now I need to go to the fabric store!!!! Thank you so very much for the tutorial - it's awesome!

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  17. Marilyn said...
    I LOVE these flowers!!! I am supposed to be using up my stash in making the counterfeit kit, but I absolutely HAVE to make these. I am off to JoAnn's to buy a bunch of taffeta in assorted colors. I bet 1/4 yard will make a TON of these. I had some black and made one tonight- it takes a little practice not to catch it on fire!

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  18. I'm glad you girls like the flowers...yes it does take a little practice and you have to constatnly keep moving the fabric around...but totally worth it :)

    The buttons are K and Co---they are from a few years ago...but I *think* JoAnns still carries them (or really similar ones) in the aisle with all of the K&Co coordinating sets of embellishments and paper packs. But I got them at a scrapbook yard sale over the summer.

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  19. WOW these all look great. And what a wonderful way to use up some of those fabric brads I have in my stash too ! TFS

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  20. What a useful and awesome tutorial! Who knew it would be so easy...and much less expensive...and more fun...to make those cute flowers at home :)

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  21. Oh this is lovely - what a thorough set of instructions. Thank you for taking the time to photograph and explain the different steps plus the variations.

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  22. Hello! what a wonderful post. I really love handmade flowers. Your tutorial is really helpful. Those flowers are so pretty!

    TFS

    Venus

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