How to Make Fabric Flowers Sewing Pattern

The options available are:

Four petal flower - Good for small to large size fabric flowers

Five petal flower - Good for small to extra large size fabric flowers

Flower pattern dimensions table

Four petal flower:

Small - 3/4"W X 9"L (2 1/4")

Medium - 1"W X 12"L (3")

Large - 1 1/2"W X 18"L (4 1/2")

Five petal flower

Small 3/4"W X 10"L (2")

Medium - 1"W X 12 1/2" (2 1/2")

Large - 1 1/2"W X 18 3/4" (3.3/4")

Extra Large - 2 1/2"W X 30"L (6")

Making flower pattern

There are three choices presented to make flowers so petals do not fray: Use a knit fabric, cut fabric on bias, or do a serged roll hem to one of the long sides (petal side). If third method is used, add an allowance of 1/4" to the width.

For example, while making a small four petal flower and doing a serged rolled hem where the petals are, add 1/4" to the width dimension (1"). Your new dimension for this flower pattern is 1 1/4"W X 12"L.

Make your flower pattern according to these dimensions.

Preparing to make flower

Iron the fabric the flower is going to be made of.

Cut out fabric desired for flower with your pattern.

If doing a serged rolled hem, finish petals edges by serging one of the long sides. Pull fabric taut while doing this.

Marking flower pattern

The measurement increments needed for this next step are located in parentheses in the flower pattern dimension table above. Mark in increments on the opposite side of rolled hem if one sewn, and on the wrong side of fabric, one of these measurements.

For example; below is a cut out fabric pattern 1"W X 12 1/2"L for a medium five petal flower. We've placed markings at increments of every 2 1/2".

Below is a cut out fabric pattern for a medium four petal flower 1"W X 12"L with a serged rolled hem for the petal side. We've placed markings at increments of every 3" opposite of serged rolled hem.

To begin gathering, use long needle, fishing line, and double thread. Tie not at end of threads. (For a better illustration, I used a contrasting thread color.

Tip: Do not cut the fishing line too long, it tangles easily.

Gathering flower

Secure thread with a knot in the petal edge corner as shown 1/8" from edges.

Note: If you didn't serge just choose a corner.

Hand gather with needle towards center edge as shown.

Turn at corner.

Hand gather until first increment marking. Turn at marking as shown.

At petal edge, bring needle over edge to opposite side and return to center edge of flower pattern.

Pull on line tightly to gather petals as you go.

Continue gathering centers edge and then go back towards petal edge after getting to each increment markings.

Pull on flower tightly without breaking thread/line. Note: Be careful with fishing line because it will break if pulled too hard.

Secure at end by passing needle back through last petal and knot off on wrong side of flower.

View of wrong side of flower.

Connect the first gathered petal with the last gathered petal right sides together.

Knot off.

Hide knot by passing line through flower at location of knot. Snip off thread where it comes out of flower.

If you are making a large flower, the hole may be a bit big in the center.

To make hole smaller, run a gathering stitch around the center edge of the flower and pull tight.

Attach a glass bead, button or jewel as center.