Fabric Wedding Bouquets: Diy Guide To Everlasting Blooms

A fabric wedding bouquet is a great option for those who want to save their bouquet as a keepsake. It's also a good choice for those on a tight budget, as it can be much cheaper than a traditional floral bouquet. Fabric bouquets can be customised to match the colour scheme of your wedding and can be made to look whimsical and romantic. To make a fabric bouquet, you'll need a variety of fabrics, such as chiffon, organza, lace and satin, as well as some basic craft supplies like scissors, glue and ribbon. You can also add personal touches like antique brooches, earrings and other jewellery. The process of making a fabric bouquet involves cutting and shaping fabric into petals, which are then sewn or glued together to form flowers. These flowers are then attached to a base, such as a styrofoam ball, to create the finished bouquet.

Choosing your fabric

Choosing the right fabric is essential to creating a beautiful and durable fabric wedding bouquet. Here are some tips and suggestions to help you select the best fabric for your project:

Fabric Type:

• Lightweight fabrics such as broadcloth, peachskin, satin, chiffon, organza, and tulle are ideal for creating fabric flowers. These fabrics are easy to work with and can be shaped and manipulated to form delicate petals.
• Lace is a great accent fabric to add texture and interest to your bouquet. It can be used as filler between flowers or to create a lacy, romantic look.
• Stiff or sturdy fabrics, such as cotton, can be used as a base to cover the bouquet handle or to create structure within the bouquet.

Fabric Colour and Pattern:

• Choose colours that complement your wedding theme or colour palette. You can opt for a single colour or a combination of colours that blend harmoniously.
• Consider using fabrics with different patterns or textures to add depth and visual interest to your bouquet. This could include solid colours, florals, stripes, or other unique patterns.

Amount of Fabric:

• The amount of fabric you need will depend on the size and fullness of your desired bouquet. A large bouquet may require about 25 flowers, while a smaller one might need around 9-15 flowers.
• It is recommended to collect fabric remnants or scraps, as you will need a variety of fabrics in small quantities. This is also a cost-effective way to source your materials.

Fabric Treatment:

• If you are using polyester fabrics like satin, you can heat the edges with a lighter or candle to create a slightly melted, puckered edge that mimics the look of natural petals.
• For cotton fabrics, leave the edges raw, as they will fray less than polyester fabrics.
• Experiment with different treatments to achieve the desired effect for your flowers.

Remember, the fabric you choose will determine the overall look and feel of your fabric wedding bouquet, so take the time to select fabrics that align with your vision and colour scheme.

Cutting the fabric

For the bouquet, you will need to cut strips of fabric that are about 2.5" wide and 24" long. You can use a rotary cutter or scissors for this step. Round off the corners of one end of the strip with scissors to create petals when the fabric is unfolded. If you are using a polyester fabric like satin, you can heat the edges with a lighter or candle to melt them slightly and create a puckered edge. This will also prevent the fabric from fraying. If you are using cotton fabric, leave the edges raw.

To create the flowers, you will need to cut out circles of fabric in different sizes. You can use lids from jars or bottles as templates to trace the circles onto the fabric. Cut down the center of each circle to create semicircles, then fold each semicircle in half so that two edges form a right angle. They should look like triangles with one arched edge. Sew the half semicircle shut, about 1/4" away from one of the straight edges. Stand them up, and they will look like little cones.

For a simpler method, cut out four circles (about 4.5" in diameter) from two different fabrics, or eight circles if using only one fabric. Cut the circles in half to create semicircles, and then fold and sew them in the same way as described above. Add your next petal to the first one with a running stitch, alternating the fabric until you have about nine petals, which will form the bottom layer of the bouquet. Pull the thread tightly to create a little circle, leaving 8" of thread hanging. Repeat with six more petals to create the top layer, then use the extra thread to stitch the layers together.

Shaping the petals

Firstly, select a lightweight fabric such as broadcloth, peachskin, satin, chiffon, organza, or any other light and flowy material. The type of fabric you choose will impact the overall look and feel of your bouquet, so choose fabrics that align with your desired aesthetic.

Now, cut strips of fabric that are approximately 2.5 inches wide and 24 inches long. You can use a rotary cutter or sharp scissors for this step. Round off the corners of one end of the strip with scissors to create a petal shape when the fabric is unfolded. Don't worry about making each petal perfect, as they are meant to have organic shapes.

If you're using a polyester fabric like satin, you can enhance the petal shape by heating the edges with a lighter or candle. This technique will melt the fabric slightly, creating a puckered edge and preventing fraying. Be very careful when working with an open flame, and always exercise caution when working with hot items. For cotton fabrics, simply leave the edges raw.

To create more defined petals, you can cut out circles of different sizes from your fabric. Cut down the centre of each circle to create semicircles, then fold each semicircle in half so that two edges form a right angle, resulting in a triangular shape with one arched edge. Sew the straight edges of the semicircle together, about 1/4 inch from the edge, to create a petal shape. Stand these petals up, and they will resemble little cones.

If you want to create more intricate petals, you can use a technique called the "candle or lighter method." Hold a piece of fabric with tongs to avoid burning your fingers and slowly move the edge of the fabric around the flame. This method is particularly effective for fabrics like muslin or satin, as it curls the edges and gives them a lifted, petal-like appearance.

Once you have shaped and curled your petals, it's time to assemble them into flowers. Layer the petals, starting with the largest at the bottom and working your way up to the smallest. You can use a needle and thread to sew the petals together or opt for hot glue to secure them in place. Add embellishments like earrings, brooches, or pearls to the centres of your flowers for added detail.

Remember, the key to shaping fabric petals is to embrace organic shapes and not worry too much about perfection. Experiment with different fabrics, cutting techniques, and shaping methods to find what works best for your bouquet.

Attaching the flowers to the bouquet

Preparing the Base:

Before attaching the flowers, you need to prepare the base of your bouquet. Start by cutting a styrofoam ball to create a dome shape. You can use a sharp knife or a rotary cutter for this step. The dome should be roughly three-quarters of the original styrofoam ball. Then, wrap the dome with fabric, securing it with pins or hot glue. You can use any fabric of your choice, but a lightweight fabric such as peach fabric or fabric remnants will work well. This will serve as the base for your flowers.

Attaching the Flowers:

Now, it's time to attach your fabric flowers. If you haven't already made your flowers, there are various methods you can use, including cutting and sewing fabric circles to create petals, melting the edges of polyester fabric with a lighter or candle to create a petal effect, or using a running stitch to gather fabric and create a flower shape. Once you have a collection of fabric flowers, you can begin pinning or gluing them to the styrofoam base. Play around with the arrangement until you're happy with the composition. If you're using pins, be sure to use medium-sized or longer pins to secure the flowers in place. You can also add brooches, earrings, or other embellishments to the centres of the flowers for a more personalised touch.

Adding the Stem:

To create the stem of your bouquet, use a wooden dowel or stick and insert it into the styrofoam base. You can angle the dowel slightly if you want the bouquet to sit closer to you when held. Secure the dowel in place with hot glue, and then wrap the base of the dowel with ribbon, lace, twine, or any other decorative material of your choice. This will cover any visible hot glue and add a nice finishing touch to your bouquet.

Final Touches:

Once your bouquet is assembled, you can add some final touches to make it even more special. Consider incorporating feathers, vintage keys, or other sentimental items. You can also wrap the stem with lace, ribbon, or fabric to give it a more elegant appearance. Don't be afraid to experiment and add your own creative flair to your fabric wedding bouquet!

Adding the finishing touches

Now that your fabric flowers are ready, it's time to assemble your bouquet. Start by building the shape and framework of your arrangement, keeping the dimension in mind. You can use a mirror to help you visualise the final look.

Begin by inserting the dowel into the styrofoam ball. You can put it in at a slight angle so the bouquet sits closer to you when held, instead of sticking straight out. Secure the dowel with hot glue.

Cover the styrofoam ball with a sturdy fabric, securing it with straight pins and hot glue. You can then add another layer of fabric to the handle and glue it down. Wrap lace or ribbon around the handle and cover the bottom of the handle with beads or pearls.

Arrange your fabric flowers onto the styrofoam ball as desired. You can use floral pins to place the flowers temporarily as you play with the arrangement. Once you're happy with the layout, remove the flowers one by one, add a small amount of hot glue to the styrofoam ball, and then place the flower and pin back down, holding it in place until the glue dries. Repeat this process with all of the flowers so that they're secure.

You can glue brooches, earrings or other trinkets into the centres of some or all of the flowers. You can also add feathers to your bouquet for a whimsical touch. Secure them with hot glue.

Finally, tie a vintage key, charm or other sentimental item to the base of the stem with some lace trim or ribbon.

Frequently asked questions