How to Make Dimensional Flowers From Wool

Recycle old wool garments into dimensional-flower brooches.

Instead of throwing away leftover wool scraps or old wool clothing that has accidentally shrunk in the washer and dryer, cut up the pieces and make felted wool zinnia brooches. Attach these quick-to-make dimensional-flower brooches to jackets, hats or gift bags.

Things You'll Need

• Wool felt, three different colors
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Straight pins
• Embroidery floss
• Embroidery needle
• Craft glue
• Decorative button
• 2-inch pin-back

Instructions

1. Cut three 6-inch-long strips of wool felt in three different colors. Cut one strip 5 inches wide, one strip 4 inches wide and one strip 3 inches wide.

2. Fold the 5-inch-wide strip in half, matching the long 6-inch edges. Pin the 6-inch edges together. Cut slits from the folded edge to 1/4 inch away from the pinned edge. Space the slits 1/4 inch apart from one end of the strip to the other. Fold, pin and cut slits in the remaining two wool felt strips.

3. Thread embroidery floss onto an embroidery needle. Knot the end. Hand sew a running stitch along the pinned edge of the largest strip, from one end to the other. Pull the thread to tightly gather the wool. Form the gathered strip into a circle. Stitch the ends together. Knot and cut the thread. Repeat with the remaining two wool strips.

4. Lay the largest gathered circle flat on your work surface. Press the center gathers flat. Apply craft glue to the gathers.

5. Place the medium-size gathered circle over the large circle. Press the center gathers flat. Apply glue to the gathers.

6. Place the small gathered circle over the medium circle. Press the center gathers flat. Apply glue to the gathers. Place a decorative button over the glue. Allow the glue to dry.

7. Turn the flower over. Apply craft glue to the back of a 2-inch pin-back. Position the pin-back slightly above the center of the flower, lying horizontal. Allow the glue to dry.