Upcycled Denim Flower Tutorial

Denim Flower Tutorial – a perfect way to use up those old jeans. Such a fun and easy craft project!

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

Supplies:
-pair of old jeans
-flower pattern (I just drew one, it doesn’t need to be perfect.)
–fabric scissors
–heavy duty needle 
–thread
–button or other embellishment

Instructions:

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 use a sharp pair of scissors to 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!

Love making accessories? Here are a few more fun and easy projects:

Washer Necklace Tutorial
Dollar Store Denim Rosette Headband
Fabric Flower Rings
Stacked Felt Flower Hair Clip