Upcycled Sweater Flowers

We had a great time at the Tuscarora women’s retreat this past weekend.  We did a couple of craft workshops, showing the women how to make these fabulous flower pins using old sweaters.

For the zinnia type flower, any sweater will work ….wool, cotton, polyester, etc.

Icut a 1 1/2 inch wide strip, 16 inches in length.  I folded it in half length wise and hot glued the raw edges together.  Then I cut slits in the folded edge about 1/4 inch apart and 1/2 inch deep.  I rolled it and glued it every so often.  This one was super easy to make.  For step by step instructions, go to betzwhite.   She uses felt instead of old sweaters and sews the flower instead of using hot glue.

This one is made from the cuff of sweaters.  A simple running stitch around the raw edge, pulled tight forms this cute little flower.  The center is a button taken off of a sweater.   Check out pollywantacrafter for step by step instructions.

For the two rosette style flowers, felted wool sweaters work best.  100% wool sweaters are easy to find at thrift shops  Just wash in hot water and dry on high heat.  This will turn the sweater fabric into felt.  You can also use purchased felt if you rather.  Here’s the link on how to make the simple rosette.  

This one is just a variation on the simple rosette but a little trickier to get the technique.  Start with a round circle of felted wool and cut into a spiral.

You end up with one edge out of alignment which you will need to cut off.

Beginning from the outside roll it tight 3 or 4 turns and glue.

Then instead of just rolling, twist the strip away from you while you rotate the flower in your other hand counterclockwise. This will form a petal.   Glue as you go.

Continue rotating the flower counterclockwise as you twist the strip away from you about every quarter turn.

Continue in this manner.  For the last two layers don’t twist them, simply wrap them around and glue as you go.  Put a large dab of glue on the underside.  The inner part of your spiral becomes the back.

This style flower is probably the hardest one to make.  Stick with it and it will get easier.

These are so much fun to make.  Use hot glue to add a pin or hair clip to the backside.  Or simply sew them onto a purse, or pillow.

Happy crafting!