Crafting A Felt Flower Bouquet For Your Wedding Day

Felt flower bouquets are a fun and creative way to add a unique touch to your wedding. Not only are they a budget-friendly option, but they also make for a beautiful keepsake that will last forever. With some felt, floral wire, a hot glue gun, and a little bit of creativity, you can create a stunning bouquet that reflects your personal style. Whether you're a craft enthusiast or a DIY bride, making a felt flower bouquet is a fun project that will surely add a special touch to your big day.

Choosing the right felt

Type of Felt

When selecting felt for your flowers, you can choose between craft felt and wool blend felt. Craft felt is widely available at craft stores and online. It is usually made from synthetic fibres and is relatively inexpensive. Wool blend felt, on the other hand, is made from a blend of wool and synthetic fibres, offering a more premium option. It is thicker, softer, and less prone to fuzziness than craft felt. If you want to ensure the highest quality for your bouquet, consider using wool blend felt or even 100% wool felt.

Quality

The quality of the felt you choose will impact the overall look and durability of your flowers. Look for felt that is smooth and dense, with a consistent thickness throughout. Avoid felt that feels flimsy or has a plastic sheen, as it may not hold up well during the cutting and shaping process. Higher-quality felt will result in more elegant and long-lasting flowers.

Colour

Felt is available in a rainbow of colours, so you can choose shades that match your wedding colour palette. Consider whether you want a monochromatic bouquet or a mix of colours. You can also create ombre effects or use contrasting shades for the petals and leaves to add depth and dimension to your flowers.

Thickness

Felt typically comes in various thicknesses, which will impact the look and ease of crafting your flowers. Thicker felt, such as 1.5mm, is often ideal for creating sturdy and robust flowers that can hold their shape. However, if you plan to use a cutting machine like a Cricut, thinner felt may be preferable as it is easier for the machine to cut through. Experiment with different thicknesses to find what works best for your project.

Amount

Felt is typically sold in sheets or rolls. Determine how many flowers you need to make for your bouquet and calculate the required amount of felt accordingly. It is always a good idea to buy a little extra felt to account for any mistakes or last-minute additions to your bouquet. Leftover felt can also be used for other craft projects.

Sources

You can find felt at local craft stores or online through websites like Etsy, Amazon, or specialty craft suppliers. When purchasing online, be sure to read reviews to ensure you are getting high-quality felt. Some sources may also offer felt flower-making kits that include all the necessary materials, including felt, scissors, and templates, providing a convenient option for beginners.

Using patterns

Choosing the Right Felt:

Start by selecting high-quality felt, preferably a wool blend, as it is softer, easier to shape, and cuts cleaner. Craft felt, which is typically made of polyester, can be used, but it is stiffer and less malleable. Keep in mind that some techniques, such as misting with water to create a crinkled effect, will not work with polyester felt.

Finding Realistic Patterns:

To achieve a realistic look for your flowers, it is essential to find or create realistic patterns. Lia Griffith is known for her beautiful and realistic felt flower patterns, which are available online. You can also design your own patterns by drawing petal shapes or purchasing a digital download of petal and leaf templates.

Cutting the Felt:

If you have access to a Cricut Maker or similar cutting machine, consider using it to cut your felt pieces. This will save you significant time and effort compared to hand-cutting each petal individually. However, ensure that you use a fabric mat and a rotary blade with the Cricut Maker to handle thicker materials. Alternatively, you can cut the felt by hand using sharp scissors.

Shaping the Petals:

To make your flowers look more realistic, shape the petals to mimic the natural curves of real flower petals. Cut slits in the petals and overlap them to create a cupped shape. This technique adds dimension and makes your flowers look more lifelike.

Assembling the Flowers:

Once you have cut and shaped your petals, it's time to assemble the flowers. Use a low-temperature hot glue gun to attach the petals to the floral wire stems. Follow specific tutorials for each flower type to ensure you glue the petals in the correct order. Finish your flowers by adding calyxes and leaves to enhance their realism and stability.

Creating the Bouquet:

Start by holding one large flower and gradually adding more flowers until you are happy with the arrangement. Secure the flowers with floral wire as you go. Continue adding flowers, wrapping them with wire, and arranging them until your bouquet is complete. You can then trim the wire stems to match.

Final Touches:

Wrap the section of the wire that you will be holding with green felt and secure it with hot glue. You can cover the wires with felt or leave them bare, depending on your preference. Add flowing ribbons in complementary colours to enhance the beauty of your bouquet.

Arranging the flowers

Once you are satisfied with your arrangement, trim all the wire stems so that they are the same length. You can then wrap the section of wire that you will be holding with a piece of green felt and secure it with hot glue.

From here, you can finish the bouquet in a variety of ways. You could cover the green felt with a ribbon and add a bow, or leave the wires bare. You could also add some pretty flowing ribbons for a trendy touch. The choice is yours!

Wrapping the stems

Step 1: Secure the Flowers

Before you begin wrapping, it is essential to secure your flowers in place. Using floral wire, wrap it around the stems of your bouquet just below the blooms. This will hold your flowers together and provide a sturdy base for wrapping.

Step 2: Choose Your Wrapping Material

You have several options for wrapping the stems, including felt, ribbon, or twine. Choose a material that complements the colour scheme and style of your bouquet. For a soft and elegant look, you can use a piece of green felt to wrap the stems. Alternatively, you can select a ribbon in a colour or pattern that enhances your bouquet. Velvet, silk, or cream-coloured ribbons are popular choices.

Step 3: Wrap the Stems

Take your chosen wrapping material and begin wrapping it around the floral wire, starting from the top of the stems and working your way down. Make sure to overlap the edges of the material slightly as you wrap to ensure full coverage. Use hot glue to secure the beginning and end of the wrapping material, creating a seamless finish.

Step 4: Finish with a Bow

Once you have wrapped the stems to your desired length, finish off your bouquet with a bow. You can use the same material you wrapped the stems with or choose a contrasting ribbon for added interest. Create a simple bow or an elaborate multi-looped bow, depending on your preference. Secure the bow with hot glue to ensure it stays in place.

Step 5: Trim the Stems

Finally, use wire cutters or scissors to trim the stems to your desired length. Ensure they are all even, creating a uniform and polished look for your bouquet.

By following these steps, you will have a beautifully wrapped stem for your felt flower bouquet, adding to the overall elegance and charm of your wedding creation.

Adding ribbons

The next step is to add some pretty flowing ribbons. You could add two cream ribbons and then tie a bow with a peach-striped ribbon, or you could choose a different combination of colours and styles. The choice is yours!

Frequently asked questions