Recipes and Crafts, Oh My!!!: Suede Flower Tutorial

Thanks again to everyone who visited my giveaway post last week and for those of you who missed it-here's the tutorial on how to make your own Suede Flower.

This tutorial will work with Suede or Pigskin. I haven't tried it with faux leather yet, but I'm sure it will work. I found mine from my stash and I'm not sure where I got it. I've occasionally seen them at specialty fabric stores, or I found some sites online that sell it.

Suede Flower

Suede fabric
Sharp scissors
Brad (matching fabric)
Elmer's Glue
Water
Alligator Clip (only necessary if you want to turn it into a hair clip)

Step 1: Cut out 5 different sized circles. My first one was approximately 3 inches and then each one is a 1/2 inch smaller (3 in, 2.5 in, 2 in, 1.5 in, 1 in). The size of your largest circle will determine the size of your flower. Don't stress about making them perfectly round, in fact the more imperfect the better (you'll see why in step 2).

Step 2: Take each circle and using scissors 'rough' up the edges. The more imperfect the better.

Step 3: Very carefully cut a small slit in the center of each circle. The slit needs to be big enough for the back of a brad to fit through.

I used an unpicker to help make sure the hole was the perfect size.

Step 4: Starting with the smallest circle slide the brad into the small hole, then add the next circle (small to largest). Once the brad is through all the circles flatten out the back to secure.

Here's what it should look like.

Step 5: Add one part Elmer's glue to 3 parts water and mix.

Step 6: Place the entire flower into the water and use your hands to rub the glue mixture into the fabric. Coat well. Take it out and use a napkin to wipe off access liquid and glue. Then with your fingers fold up edges to create the desired look. Let dry overnight or for at least 6 hours.