Fabric Flower Wedding Bouquets: Custom-Made, Creative, And Colorful

Creating a fabric flower bouquet for your wedding is a great way to save money and have a unique, personalised keepsake from your special day. In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of making your own fabric flower bouquet, from choosing the right materials to assembling the final product. We'll also offer some tips and tricks to ensure your bouquet looks beautiful and stays within your budget.

Choosing the right fabric

Type of Fabric

The type of fabric you choose will depend on the look you want to achieve. Some popular options for fabric flowers include:

• Satin: Satin is a smooth and soft fabric with a subtle sheen, making it a great choice for fabric leaves and petals. It can be made from various fibres, including silk, nylon, or polyester.
• Silk: Silk fabrics are easy to work with and can be dyed and shaped beautifully. They are also heat-resistant, making them suitable for use with flower irons and tools.
• Crepe de Chine: This fabric is forgiving, pliable, and easy to work with. It frays very little, making it ideal for both small and large flowers. It also has no right or wrong side, which can be advantageous for certain designs.
• Cotton: Cotton fabrics, such as cotton poplin, cotton lawn, and cotton spandex jersey, are versatile and suitable for various projects, including dresses, shirts, and pyjamas.
• Polyester: Polyester fabrics, like satin, can be melted slightly with a lighter or candle to prevent fraying and create a puckered edge effect for the petals.

Weight of Fabric

For fabric flowers, it is generally recommended to use lightweight fabrics. These fabrics are easier to work with and can be shaped and manipulated more easily than heavier fabrics. Examples of lightweight fabrics include broadcloth, peachskin, and satin.

Colour and Pattern

Consider the colour and pattern of the fabric to match your wedding theme or colour palette. You can choose solid colours, complementary colours, or contrasting colours to add drama to your bouquet. You can also experiment with different textures and patterns to create a unique and romantic look.

Amount of Fabric

Determine how much fabric you will need based on the size of your bouquet and the number of flowers you plan to make. Keep in mind that you may need extra fabric if you are new to this project, as there may be some trial and error involved.

In summary, the key to choosing the right fabric for your fabric flower bouquet is to select a lightweight fabric with a suitable colour and pattern that is easy to work with and can be shaped and manipulated to create realistic flowers. Experiment with different types of fabric and don't be afraid to add your personal touch to make your bouquet truly unique.

Cutting the fabric

To begin, cut a strip of fabric that is 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 fabric strip with scissors to create petal shapes when the fabric is unfolded. Don't worry about making the petals perfect, as they are meant to look organic and natural.

If you are using a polyester fabric such as satin, you can enhance the edges of the petals by heating them with a lighter or candle. This technique will melt the fabric slightly, preventing fraying and creating a puckered edge for a more defined petal shape. On the other hand, if you are using cotton fabric, leave the edges raw without any heat treatment.

For added visual interest, you can create a variety of petal sizes by cutting multiple strips of fabric with varying widths and lengths. Experiment with different shapes and sizes to achieve the desired look for your bouquet. Remember, you can always trim and adjust the petals as you go along.

Once you have cut and shaped your fabric strips, you can move on to the next step of gathering and assembling your fabric flowers.

Shaping the petals

Firstly, cut a strip of fabric that is approximately 2.5 inches wide and 24 inches long. You can use a variety of lightweight fabrics such as broadcloth, peachskin, or satin. Roll the fabric until it is about 1.5 inches wide, and then use scissors to round off the corners of one end. This simple technique creates petals when the fabric is unfolded. You may need to do some additional shaping, but remember that they don't have to be perfect.

If you are using a polyester fabric such as satin, you can enhance the edges of the petals by heating them with a lighter or candle. This technique will melt the fabric slightly, preventing fraying and creating a puckered edge that adds texture to the petals. On the other hand, if you are using cotton fabric, it is best to leave the edges raw without applying any heat.

For the next step, you will need a sewing machine. Select the straight stitch function and set the stitch length to the longest setting. Sew along the length of the fabric, approximately 0.5 inches from the straight edge. Then, gently pull on one of the threads to gather the fabric and create a ruffled effect. If you don't have access to a sewing machine, you can achieve a similar result by hand-sewing a running stitch along the edge of the fabric and then gently pulling the thread to gather it.

Now that you have shaped and gathered the petals, you are ready to attach them to the stem. Apply a small amount of hot glue near the top of a wooden dowel or stick and carefully wrap the fabric around it, securing it with the glue. Finally, add a decorative touch by wrapping twine around the base of the flower and continuing down the stem, using small amounts of hot glue to keep it in place.

By following these steps and getting creative with your fabric choices, you can shape and assemble beautiful petals for your custom wedding bouquet.

Attaching the flowers to the bouquet

Now that you have your fabric flowers ready, it's time to attach them to the bouquet holder. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Preparing the Bouquet Holder:

Before you start attaching the flowers, you'll need to prepare your bouquet holder. This can be a styrofoam ball or any other type of bouquet holder you've chosen. If using a styrofoam ball, cut off a small section to create a dome shape. Then, wrap it with fabric, pinning or gluing it in place. You can use a neutral fabric or a colour that complements your flowers.

Attaching the Flowers:

• Arrange the flowers on the bouquet holder: Before you start gluing, play around with the arrangement of your flowers. You can use floral pins to temporarily place the flowers and adjust their placement until you're happy with the composition.
• Glue the flowers in place: Once you've decided on the arrangement, remove the flowers one by one, apply a small amount of hot glue to the bouquet holder where each flower was placed, and then put the flower and pin back down. Hold it in place for a few seconds until the glue adheres.
• Add any additional embellishments: If you want to include brooches, earrings, or other decorative elements in the centre of your flowers, now is the time to glue them in place. You can also add feathers, lace, or any other personal touches to make your bouquet unique.
• Cover the base: To conceal the join between the bouquet holder and the stem, wrap lace, ribbon, or fabric around the base. You can secure it with hot glue and add embellishments like pearl beads or pins to give it a finished look.
• Final touches: Check that all the flowers are securely attached and make any necessary adjustments. Your fabric flower bouquet is now ready to be displayed or carried down the aisle!

Remember to take your time and enjoy the process of creating your custom wedding bouquet. Don't be afraid to experiment and add personal touches to make it truly special.

Adding embellishments

Types of Embellishments

You can use a variety of embellishments to decorate your fabric flowers and bouquet, including:

• Antique brooches
• Old or broken jewellery
• Buttons
• Charms
• Ribbons
• Lace
• Beads
• Pearls

Where to Add Embellishments

You can add embellishments to various parts of your fabric flowers and bouquet. Here are some ideas:

• Centre of the flowers: Add a pearl pin or brooch in the centre of each flower to give it a decorative touch.
• Stems: Wrap the stems with twine, ribbon, lace, or fabric to cover them and add texture.
• Bouquet handle: Decorate the handle of your bouquet with ribbons, lace, or fabric. You can also add buttons, charms, or other trinkets for a unique touch.
• In between petals: Add small embellishments like beads or pearls in between the petals of your fabric flowers for a subtle sparkle.

Tips for Adding Embellishments

• Experiment with different types of embellishments and placements to find what works best for your bouquet.
• Don't be afraid to mix and match different types of embellishments, but do it tastefully to avoid a cluttered look.
• If you're using pins or glue to attach embellishments, make sure they are secure and won't fall off.
• Consider the overall colour scheme and style of your wedding when choosing embellishments to ensure they complement your theme.

Frequently asked questions