Flowers are some of the most beautiful offerings of nature, but, unfortunately, they aren't permanent. Wonderful alternatives to wilting blooms are silk or handmade flowers. Flower crafts are fun for both children and adults. For a longer lasting floral accent for your home decor or fashion ensemble, give these easy flower crafts a try.
Zipper Rosette Brooch
Zippers are probably the last thing you would think of when you envision flower crafts, but if you look beyond their utilitarian function, they can become an adorable rosette brooch for your lapel, a hat or attach several to a tote bag for embellishment. While this is an easy project, it is most suitable for teens to adults.
Things You Will Need
- 7" zipper
- Scissors
- Craft glue
- Needle and thread
- Small bead, sequin or rhinestone
- 1" pin back
What To Do
- Cut across the top and bottom ends of the zipper to remove the stops and zipper slide. Pull the two sides of the zipper apart.
- Overlap the end of one zipper side to the end of the other side. Apply a dot of craft glue between the overlap to create one long zipper strip. Allow the glue to dry.
- Hand sew a running stitch along the fabric edge of the zipper strip, spacing the stitches approximately 1/2" apart. Pull the thread to gather the zipper to slightly more than half the original length. Tack a few smaller stitches at the end to hold the gathers in place. Do not cut the thread.
- Beginning on the same end as the needle, curl the zipper into a circle with a closed center. Make a few stitches on the back to hold the shape. Continue to curl the remainder of the zipper strip around the center circle to form your rosette flower. Make stitches on the back every 1/4" or so to hold the petal spiral in place.
Begin rosette curl. - Fold the end behind the rosette and tack in place. Knot and cut the thread.
Secure the curls on the back. - Dab a dot of glue in the center of the flower and place a bead, sequin, or rhinestone on it. Allow the glue to dry.
- Place the rosette on your work surface with the back facing up. Apply craft glue to the pin back. Position the pin back horizontally across the flower just above the center. Allow the glue to dry. Note: If you prefer a neater back, cut a fabric circle smaller than the rosette and glue over the stitches before adding the pin back.
Decorative Floral Ball
Make sophisticated, decorative floral balls to fill a basket or tuck a few in a vignette on a table or shelf. These balls can also be hung if desired. This example was made using silk sunflower stems and a large foam ball, but any silk flower and different ball sizes can be used. The balls are quick and easy to craft, making them a great project for a family activity.
Things You Will Need
- 5" foam ball or size desired
- Silk, stemmed flowers (25-50 depending on size of flowers and ball)
- Wire cutters
- Ruler
- 10" jute twine (optional)
- Floral pin (optional)
What To Do
- Bring the ends of a 10" length of jute twine together and tie a knot 1" from the end. Place the folded end on a foam ball. Pin the fold using a floral pin. This is your hanger. Note: This step is optional if you prefer a decorative ball that hangs.
- Cut the stems of your silk flowers to a 2"-3" length using wire cutters. Leaves can also be removed at this time if desired.
Cut stems and remove leaves. - Insert the stem of the flowers into the ball. Evenly space the flowers to camouflage the ball, but not so close to crowd the petals. Continue until the entire ball has been covered.
Insert stems.
More LoveToKnow Flower Crafts
No matter whether you are a mother in need of a project for a snow day, a teacher in need of a great group activity, an interior designer in need of stylish home accessories, or a crafter looking for new merchandise for a craft show, LoveToKnow has an abundance of flower crafts that are just right for you. Each of the following are fun and unique, but if you need even more inspiration, browse LoveToKnow's craft index for even more inspiration.
- How to Make a Flower Crown-A flower tucked behind the ear offers a bit of romance, but take it a bit further with a beautiful crown of flowers for your hair. This tutorial will take you through the process of crafting a crown for any head size to become the finishing touch for weddings, play productions, or a summer renaissance fair.
- How to Crochet Flowers-Quick and easy, these crochet patterns for daffodils, pansies, and poinsettias will be the perfect addition to any outfit, tote bag, or gift package. Attach several together to use as a garland or add hangers for tree ornaments.
- How to Make a Duct Tape Flower Ring-If you need a great craft for a sleepover, then this is the project for you. Your friends won't be able to stop at just one flower ring so plan on grabbing several duct tape patterns to mix, match, and trade.
- How to Make Duct Tape Flowers-If you've mastered the duct tape flower ring from the previous article, then give these flowers a try. Whip them up and hot glue them to a duct tape ring or add a pin back to wear on a jacket.
- Origami Money Flowers-Money is always a popular gift for graduations and weddings, but if you're not keen on slipping it in a boring envelope, you can always kick it up a notch. This easy to follow slideshow will produce a beautiful money bouquet in no time.
- Printable Flowers and Flower Petals-Paper flowers can add so much to a scrapbook, decorations for a party, or artwork for your walls. These simple flower printables can be printed as plain white or colored. Enlarge or reduce the printables to personalize them for your unique decoration.
- How Do You Make Tissue Flowers for Cinco de Mayo?-Use vibrant colored tissue paper to create festive posies for your 5th of May celebration. If bright hues aren't your thing, white, off white, and pastels will make lovely floral accessories for your home, a baby nursery or a wedding shower.
- Make Your Own Fall Wreaths-Floral wreaths offer a big impact to a blank wall or door for the holidays, and they are not hard to craft on your own. This article takes you through the steps to create a beautiful, sophisticated fall wreath and a charming, whimsical wreath for Halloween.
- How to Craft a Fabric Flower Brooch-Don't toss those old wool sweaters that have accidentally been shrunk in the wash or have become a feast for a family of moths. You may not be able to wear them anymore, but this article will tutor you in making adorable flower brooches from the wool felt.
- Plastic Bottle Crafts-No matter whether you need a summer craft to keep your kids busy or want to add a little color to a porch or birthday party, the flower craft in this article is an inexpensive choice as it utilizes recycled plastic bottles. Depending on the age of the children involved, adult help and supervision may be required in preparing the bottles.
Choosing a Budget-Friendly Floral Project
Crafting with flowers, or making the flowers you use in a project, can run the gamut from recycled to expensive. Saving money is always a winning solution so rather than purchase new silk flowers, repurpose old silk arrangements or make your own flowers using old clothing, paper ephemera, recycled cardboard, aluminum foil, or plastic bottles.
