Hillarys Blind Fabric Competition 2015

 

This blog is a blog with a difference for me as it contains a ‘How to make’ section.  This has come about as Hillarys Blinds sent me a 1 metre sample of material as part of their ‘Cut, Stitch and Blog’ Crafts Competition (Click here for details on Hillarys Craft Competition).  Using the Hillarys fabric supplied, plus any other materials required, we had to create a unique item with the only limit being our own imagination.

 

Well my usual bouquet designs require me to wire buttons and brooches together to produce quirky, one off pieces. 

This idea needed to be different but I couldn’t deviate from the wedding theme though could I?  This button bouquet needed to include material and somehow I also felt the material needed to have a sort of flower shape although I wasn’t dropping the buttons completely.

 

Firstly, after a few pages of sketches and some idea searching, I made a smaller test version to determine if the shape and style of a fabric bouquet would work with button stems.  Did it need anything else like lace or ribbon or was the Hatti fabric, from Hillarys new Roman blinds and curtains collection, enough on its own?? 

  

 

After some work I felt it needed some calico, as the bouquet can be seen from the back, so I designed the new circles with a calico backing and the larger design developed.  Various sized circles were cut, sewn, altered and attached to the stems.  Once done, and each circle was ready, the stems had to be secured to a handmade wire shell to give the final shape of the bouquet. 

 

Finally I used the left over material to make ribbons of fabric to wrap around the stem.  This completed the bouquet.  All I had to do now was to go and put on my wedding dress, . . . . . . a task I love doing,. . . . . . . so that we could take some photographs.  I would like it known that I only wear my dress to give the bouquets a wedding vibe – I am not that sad really!

 

 

The finished bouquet is lightweight, fun and ideal for any summer wedding – it even comes complete with a matching button hole as you can’t leave the Groom out can you?

As part of the competition the blog needs to be read by as many people as possible.  Please help me by retweeting or sharing any link you found this on.  I really need some new blinds for my kitchen!!

Thank you everyone who has read this and I’ll let you know how I get on in a future blog.  What I do know is I have enjoyed making this fabric bouquet so watch out for more fabric inspirations in the future.

See like / love / repin https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/45669383698371676/

 

Should you wish to make the bouquet this is what you need?:

·         1 metre of Fabric (I used Hillarys Hatti Raspberry)

·         Hessian to cover the bouquet shape

·         20 x 30cm florist wires (available from most craft stores)

·         Various shaped buttons and beads

·         20 cm piece of cane

·         Scissors

·         Sewing machine

·         Pins with coloured heads

·         Glue gun

·         Varnish, water and a brush.

·         String

How to make it?

Figure 1 - Cut circles to width required.

 

Cut out the circles to your desired width of flower.  This bouquet used three sizes - 10cm, 8cm and 6cm but you can use any size or shape. 

 

Each cut circle was lined with Calico and sewed through my machine turning them constantly to produce circles.  Once they had been sewn (you can do as much or as little as you want), dampen them with water on a cloth and then Varnish them with a watered down varnish.  I use Wilko quick dry varnish.  This strengthens each disc and helps them keep their shape.

 

Figure 2 - Wet and varnish discs then leave to dry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next to make the stems.

Buttons are stemmed onto the florist wire.  You do this by looping the wire about 2 inches from the top, threading a button on and twisting the wire until it is tight.  Then added beads and gems on a thinner rose wire. This is then pushed through the holes in the button and the wire twisted again.

 

 

 

Figure 3 - Stem the buttons and beads as required.

 

 

 

 

 

Putting the discs and the stems together.

The fabric is then cut in the centre to produce a hole.  Then, by holding the disc at the edge, fold it over approx 1 cm so it comes back on itself.  This will make the disc have a cone shape.  The stem can now be lowered onto the cone making sure you use the smaller disc first.  You do this with each of the size discs you made.  Use the glue gun to stick each layer together. 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 4 - Fold over part of the disc to make a cone.

 

 

 

Making the bouquet.

Using the florist wire make a tear drop shape and cover it with Hessian.  Use the glue gun to roll the hessian back on itself and secure it over the wire.  This will secure the hessian in place.  Starting with the top, or middle of the bouquet, push a stem through the hessian.  Holding the cane in the centre of the bouquet, you need to wrap the wire tightly around the cane.  This takes some practice.  Next you add a stem on the left side and then one on the right.  Be careful when pulling the wires tight as the handle of the bouquet (the cane) will move either left or right.  Make sure it stays central. 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 5 - Push the stem through.

 

 

Do this over the whole bouquet until you feel you have used enough stems.  You may not need them all but better to make too many.

 

Finally wire a button to the bottom of the cane and wrap the wire back up the handle.  Use the string to cover the stem of the bouquet, which will hide the sharp wires, and pad out the thickness.  Strips of material can then be made to cover the string and can be pinned in place at the top.

 

I also wired some beads to make a tear drop stem at the base.  It looks pretty and finishes the bouquet.

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 6 - Button hole.

 

Figure 7 - Finished bouquet with beaded tear drop.