Handmade Fabric Poinsettia

Fabric poinsettias can be stored and used year after year.

Poinsettia are a type of flowering plant that naturally grows in Mexico and Central America. The flower has become synonymous with Christmas and Christmas decor. The flowers are used on trees and wreaths and in arrangements by themselves. Due to the perishable nature and ingestion side effects, fabric poinsettia are commonly used in place of the actual flower.

Things You'll Need

• Fabric
• Measuring tape
• Fabric marker
• Scissors
• Thread
• Sewing needle
• Thread
• Hot glue gun
• Glue stick
• Detail paintbrush
• Fabric glue
• Embellishments
• Water
• Paper towel
• Fabric paint

Instructions

1. Measure, mark and cut seven rectangles from the fabric which measure 2 inches wide and 4 inches long. These are your large, background petals. Measure, mark and cut seven rectangles from the fabric which measure 1 1/2 inches wide and 3 inches long. These are your small, front petals.

2. Fold each petal in half along the length of each petal. Unfold the petal and cut a curving line which originates at the bottom corners and ends at the center fold at the top of each petal. You will have 14 dome shapes with flat bases and a pointed dome.

3. Lay the seven large, background petals in a circle shape where the flat bases are in the interior of the circle and the pointed dome faces outward. The corners of the petals should touch. Thread the sewing needle. Sew the petals together with a running stitch.

4. Lay the seven small, front petals in a circle shape on top of the circle created in Step 3. The bases should be in the interior of the circle and the pointed domes should face outward. The corners of the petals should touch. Sew the small petals together and to the underlying base layer with a running stitch. Tighten the running stitch until the circumference of the inner circle is slightly smaller than the circumference of the button.

5. Plug in the hot glue gun and warm the glue to the appropriate temperature. Place a thin ring of glue around the edges of the back of the button. Center the button over the inner circle and press down gently. Allow the glue to cool completely.

6. Place a small amount of fabric glue on a detail paintbrush. Brush the glue in the desired areas and apply embellishments.

7. Clean the paintbrush under cool, running water. Dry the paintbrush with a paper towel.

8. Dip the paintbrush in a small amount of fabric paint and add details to the poinsettia as desired.

Tips & Warnings

• The poinsettia can be as realistic as you want. Adjust the use of embellishments and paint to achieve the desired look. Consider using textured fabric to recreate the look and feel of a real petal.

References

• Karen's Variety; Poinsettia
• Craft Stylish; How to Make a Fabric Flower - Poinsettia; December 2009