How to Make Fabric Flower Poufs

Fabric flower poufs will have twice the volume and fluffiness of a real flower.

Fabric flower poufs are fluffy flowers that add a decorative embellishment to articles of clothing, centerpieces and hair accessories. By sewing together multiple layers of fabric in the shape of a flower blossom, you will create a pouf design that you can attach to sweaters, hats, blouses, dresses, hair clips, headbands and lovely table centerpieces. Make fabric flower poufs out of virtually any fabric, but the best results occur when you use two different types of fabric. This will bring texture and contrast to your decoration. Choose fabric measurements based on the number and size of the poufs that you're making.

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Pencil
• Scissors
• 2 different kinds of fabric
• Pins
• Sewing needle
• Matching thread

Instructions

Creating Flower Design

1. Use a pencil to draw three separate flower outlines, one on each sheet of paper. Create a small, medium and large outline. The largest flower outline will represent the actual diameter of your fabric flower pouf.

2. Cut out all three flower outlines and them set aside. Cut out 30 fabric squares, 15 squares in one type of fabric, and 15 squares in the contrasting fabric of your choice. The squares need to be large enough to fit your largest paper flower outline.

3. Pile your fabric together, alternating the two contrasting fabric colors. Separate the squares of fabric into three sets of 10. Pin the small paper outline to the first fabric set. Pin the medium paper outline to the next set and the large outline on the last set of fabric squares.

4. Cut out the flower blossom from each pile of fabric squares using the paper outline as your guide. Make sure to use a sharp pair of scissors so the blade easily makes its way through all 10 layers of fabric.

Creating Fabric Flower Pouf

1. Start with the largest fabric blossom and arrange the ten layers of fabric so the petals don't line up exactly. Do the same to the medium set, followed by the small fabric set. Pile all three layers together, with the largest set on the bottom and the smallest on top.

2. Use a needle and thread to sew all 30 layers of fabric together. Sew in a circle at the center of the fabric flower blossom. At this point, the flower will still be relatively flat.

3. Cup the flower, creating an indentation in the center of the blossom. Pinch the fabric on the bottom center of the fabric between your thumb and forefinger.

4. Sew straight through the pinched bottom section of the flower blossom. This will hold the blossom in a cupped position and cause the layers of fabric flower to pouf out. Once you’ve created the final stitch and cut the excess thread, use your fingers to pouf out and separate the petals for further exaggeration.

Tips & Warnings

• For a more even and exact flower blossom, create a template pattern of a small, medium and large flower petal. Cut out the petal templates and use them to trace the individual petals of each flower blossom.

• For the best results, use fabrics that pouf naturally. Fabrics such as tulle and chiffon will puff up easily, while fabrics life cotton or jersey will appear limp and have less volume.

References

• Martha Stewart: Silk Lotus Flower
• Project Wedding: DIY- Gorgeous Chiffon and Tulle Flowers