Instructions for Fabric Flowers

Gather together several brightly colored fabric scraps. Even a scrap that is only approximately a few inches square will do as you can mix and match fabrics to make each flower.

Draw a basic flower shape onto paper, using a simple five-petal outline. Cut this shape out and then draw two more, one slightly bigger and one slightly smaller; cut those out as well.

Trace your shapes onto the backs of your fabric scraps using a pen. Match up the sizes of your fabric scraps to the sizes of the flowers you choose until you have one flower of each size cut from each fabric scrap.

Cut out your flower shapes and layer them on top of one another with the right sides of the fabric pieces facing up. Layer the flowers so that the biggest pieces are on the bottom and smallest on top, alternating the fabric patterns as you go. Turn the flowers slightly so that the petals are arranged in a spread-out position instead of lined up on top of one another.

Use a needle and thread to stitch a small "X" shape in the center of your flower pile. Push the threaded needle up from the bottom of the fabric and down through the top to make the first leg of the X, then repeat for the second leg to secure all of the layers together.

Pinch the flowers in the center to fold up the petals slightly toward the center; stitch through the pinched area to secure this position.

Pinch in the opposite direction and stitch again to create a round flower shape.

Tie a knot in the back of the flower and cut the excess thread.