Welcome to my new site everyone!!! It was a big decision to decide to blend my cooking and decorating blogs together, but I knew it was time. I was having a hard time keeping up with both of them, and I felt like the content on both was suffering. Hopefully this will be much better! If you don't want to miss anything, make sure you subscribe.
A huge shout out to my amazing hubbie! I absolutely could not have done it without him. He spent every minute of his free time this weekend helping me get everything up and running. I will still be tweaking a few things here and there, but I figured it was good enough for now. Let me know if you find any broken links or anything else that isn't working.
I thought it would be a good idea to have my very first post be a tutorial. I know you love them. 
I noticed on my Google analytics that lots of people stumble across my blog looking for "denim flower tutorial". I figured if that many people are interested in it, I should probably come up with one. So here goes, my very first denim flower tutorial. I have a few others in the works, but this one is really easy, so I started with it first. Have fun!
Shabby Denim Flower Tutorial
Start with an old pair of levis. Any pair will do.
Cut out your flower patterns. I just drew one, then kept tracing around it to make it larger.
Now just start cutting out your flowers. They do NOT need to be perfect. I don't even pin my pattern to the fabric, I just lay it on, then hold it with one hand and cut with the other.
Repeat with the remaining pattern pieces.
I think it looks best to do two of the largest size, then just one of each of the other sizes. You can experiment and see what you prefer.
Now you have a whole bunch of flowers in various sizes.
Stack them on top of each other, starting with the largest on the bottom.
Now you need to sew them together. It is pretty tough to get through all those layers of denim, so make sure you use a heavy needle. Start from the back and come up through the middle.
Push the needle back down. To make it easier, I got the needle started, then put the eye on the table and pushed down. Repeat a few times till you've got a few stitches securing all the layers.
Next up you need to pick an embellishment for the center.
You can go casual and pick a brown button:
Or you could go girly and add a little pink crochet flower:
Use your imagination, there are tons of fun embellishments! I decided to use this pretty vintage-y button this time. I just kept stitching it on till I felt like it was secure. Isn't it pretty?
To get a more shabby look, you need to rough it up a bit. It helps to spray it lightly with water first. See those little droplets on the table? That's how much I sprayed. You don't need to soak it, just get it damp.
Now squish it all together into a ball and hold it that way for a few seconds so it holds its shape.
When you are all finished, it will look like this:
If you want it even more shabby, just pull on the edges with your fingers and the denim will fray.
That's it! Now you can add a hair clip or pin to the back and you're all set to go! Enjoy your new beautiful flower, I bet you'll get lots of compliments!
Click here to see all the fun linky parties I'm joining!
I love this and making it out of denim is a great idea!!
Thanks Debbie! I've done it with different fabrics, and that's cute too.
LOVE the new look. Congrats!
Thanks Maria!
I just did the same thing, merged my cake/baking and craft blog. I'm so glad I did,I felt I was always behind on one and this way I can just do my thing and it will always be updated. Although I'm still with blogger. Keep us posted on if you like wordpress or not!
So cute! That's a great idea!
So cute!! If I show this to my little crafty 9-yr-old, she'll want to live at your house forever. I'll just keep you a secret!
Wait…you cook too!! So…when can you move in?
Cute, cute flower!! If you find out how to do the downloadable PDF thing, please share!! I've been wondering how to do that too!
Thanks for linking @Creative Itch's "Sew Cute Tuesday"!
Thanks! And if I ever figure out the PDF thing, I will share the instructions.
Kara
Super cute!
XOXO
frenchy
Very cute! I recently made a bunch of different denim flowers, though in a different style. Love how yours came out
Cute! Cute! Cute! I have a stack of holy levis and I will have to make something like this!!!!
These are cute! My husband wants me to patch a few pair of his jeans, but now I don't wanna!!! Maybe one will be "too far gone"!
Super cute! Saw it at Someday Crafts!
Glad you like it. Thanks for visiting!
This looks great. Thanks for posting it. I can imagine it in all sorts of coloured denim too!
Love it! I'll have to try this with my kids old jeans that have holes in the knees!
Mary Ellen
That's exactly what I did!
I love the denim flower and I am going to work on making one today. I have a pair of jeans lying around that are just begging to be turned into denim flowers!! I'm interested in the PDF thing too…..
Thanks!!
SUPER CUTE! Thanks for linking up to Anything related! ~Bridgette
Hi, I wanted to let you know that I made your denim flowers and posted about them on my blog. Thanks for the great idea!
I am Sooo excited to teach these at our family reunion as a craft project! It would really be helpful to have the flower patterns….would it be an option to trace them on a paper and scan them in- save them as a document or a picture and then email me them? I don’t know how to do PDF's but this might work as an alternative?? Thanks!! ahomer55@msn.com
Hello, thanks for visit and comment on my blog, your blog is very good, I always visit now. have a nice day and a great weekend. bjs. my blog http://sensuaisegatas.blogspot.com
I can’t tell you how much I adore this! Thank you for the fabulous tutorial!! I featured this tutorial today on my blog with a roundup of flower tutorials. Here is the link:
http://oopsey-daisy.blogspot.com/2010/07/wednesdays-wowzers-3-dozen-plus-four.html
Thank you so much for inspiring me. Have a wonderful day!
~Alison
I would love to get various flower patterns via email..I have very little imagination when it comes to drawing anything. Please help!
This is such an amazing tutorial and it has sparked my imagination and creativity. I can't thank you enough for helping me!! My friend is going to love what I'm going to make her, thanks to your help.
Pingback: Favorites posts from 2010 |
I've been going crazy making your cute flowers…lots of 'em! I am a cancer patient who wears hats on a daily basis and your flowers do the trick in extending my hat wardrobe!
I sew a small brooch pin (or a small safety pin depending on the thickness and size of the flower) and just pin them on! It make them so much more bright and cheery, and the same cap or crocheted beanie has infinite different looks! Love, love your designs, thanks so much!
Pingback: Denim flowers | Shawnassecret
Pingback: How to: Denim Flowers | Home Wine Making Blog