It’s mid-February, and I’m yearning for spring! What better way to get in the “spring” frame of mind than with some fabric flowers? And with Clover’s new Flower Frill Templates, I’m learning to whip up full, lush fabric blooms in less time than it takes to watch a sitcom.
The Flower Frill template package comes with 2 templates of 2 sizes each and instructions in each package. The templates themselves are made of a waxed cardboard and are scored for easy folding. The directions were easy to follow too- and once you’ve folded the template, it’s easy to remember how to fold it- like folding a map!
So here’s how it works: you rough-cut a square of fabric just a bit larger than the template- mine were about 5 1/2 inches. Following the directions in the package, you fold the fabric IN the template, like this:
Then you trim around the curved portion- you can use pinking shears for a frilly look, like I did, or your regular scissors. (I’d suggest the Fiskar’s tailor shears to make quick work of it.) Then you take a quick stitch to keep the pleat together:
Then you can remove the Clover template and repeat. And repeat you will, because each flower will need 15-30 petals! So this is why the template comes in handy- sure, you could do this without the template- but if you want to sit in front of a tv or movie, or take this along to a kid’s practice, you don’t have to think too hard. Just slip the fabric in, fold-fold-fold, trim, stitch, and repeat.
Once you get all you petals made, you tie the string into a knot and “fluff” your petals a bit.
For this sample, I chose to lay it out as a 1/2 circle (not a full sphere) and make it into a coat embellishment. Just a little felt & some Fabri-Tac glue and poof! A Pouf for my coat!
Also, in the sample above, I used a hand-dyed batik cotton. I liked it because there was no “wrong” side to the fabric…but take a look at another Flower Frill, but using plain ol’ quilter’s cotton. This one is a whole sphere:
Isn’t that lovely? I would like to make some smaller versions of this one and make them into “carnation” hair clips for my little girl.
BUT WAIT- there’s more! I make another large Flower Frill using blue tulle- and to REALLY make it pouffy, I used 3 layers of tulle per petal. I also used a perle cotton and a tapestry needle to string it all together.
These would be such sweet decorations for a baby shower, wedding, or romantic tablescape. And I bet if you used the right thread and coarse tulle, you could use these as a dish scrubbie. Or not. They are so whimsical!
So here’s the low-down: the Small/Medium set (2 each of both sizes) retails for $4.95, and the Large/Extra Large set (2 each of both sizes) retails for $5.95. Like I mentioned, you don’t really need the templates…but boy, does it make it really handy. And you get two templates, so if one wears out, you’ve got a spare. (The templates are made of a waxed cardboard, kind of like a milk carton.) Or, you and a friend can go into mass-production mode if you’ve got a craft fair or party coming up.
I’m really keen to find the smaller set and use them as embellishments for headbands and bows- a sweet and simple way to add some frilly-flower goodness for spring.
What do YOU think? What would you frill up?
Sample Provided for Review.
If you are considering buying Clover Flower Frill Templates, please use my affiliate link:
- Spooky Spider Halloween Bookmark Craft - October 24, 2018
- Review and Demo of LDRS Hybrid Ink Pads - October 15, 2018
- Review and Demo of Nuvo Hybrid Inks - October 1, 2018
- Craft Studio Tour and Organization Ideas - September 20, 2018
- Wax Paper Resist Background Technique - March 20, 2018
- Comparison of Liquid Watercolor Markers/Pens - March 16, 2018
- SAI Japanese Traditional Watercolor Brush Markers- Review & Demo - February 23, 2018
- Rinea Metallic Foil Paper & Ghost Ink Review - February 21, 2018
- Jane Davenport debuts at Creativation 2018 & Watercolor Card - February 13, 2018
- Creativation 2018: New Product Showcase - January 20, 2018
Mandie W says
That looks very time consuming but I would try it out! 🙂
Sara says
i got a set a few weeks ago and love it. a bit time consuming- i think i clocked one at 30-40 minutes with pre cutting the squares. i have not used the larger templates yet, but have 2 packages of the smaller sizes. definitely going to be working away on making more frills for my upcoming craft shows!
Niki says
Love this…always wondered how to make them…you make it look so easy and do-able!!! Can’t wait to try!! Great meeting you at the #crafterminds chat!!
Jenny says
I think your time estimation was about right. I actually pressed my fabric and cut it, then pressed the folded petals again to keep the crease in the batik fabric. Took about 35 minutes…. but I can only imagine the time it would take without the templates! ; P
Wanda says
Hi,
Thank you very much for the wonderful pattern, easily taking a beautiful flower, I made a few already and I’m happy, they are beautiful!
I greet,
Wanda
Eva says
LOVE, LOVE IT!
Angela says
I am very interested in these, they are very cute. My question is if you put them on a dress for embellishment, how well do they wash? How do you keep the edges from fraying. I never saw in anything I was looking at that talked about the edge.
Jenny says
Angela, these are raw edge flowers. How much fraying depends on what type of fabric you use, as well as whether or not you use pinking shears. If you absolutely do NOT want it to fray, you could try using Fray Check and wash you item delicately. Personally, I wouldn’t sew them directly to the item, but rather make a removable pin. Good luck! -Jenny
Rhetta says
I purchased this item and it is wonderful. I purchased a week or so ago and I’ve already made about 10 or 20 of them experimenting with different types of fabrics It is a wonderful product and you can finish one in no time and start on another.