Creating Wedding Flower Pins: A Step-By-Step Guide

Flower pins are a versatile accessory that can be worn on various occasions, including weddings, music festivals, and birthday parties. They can be made in different sizes and colours, and clustered together to create a unique look. Making your own wedding flower pins is simple and requires only a few materials, such as scissors, fabric, a lighter, a needle, embroidery thread, and a pin back or alligator clip. The process involves cutting out petals of different sizes, singeing their edges with a lighter, stitching them together with French knots, and finally attaching them to the pin back or alligator clip.

Choosing the right flowers

Consider the colour: Choose flowers that complement your wedding colour palette. This could mean opting for classic white or ivory blooms, or adding a pop of colour with vibrant florals. You can even create a multicoloured blossom by using fabrics in contrasting colours.

Think about the size: Select flowers that are an appropriate size for the pins you want to create. If you're making smaller pins, look for flowers with petite blooms. For a statement piece, choose larger flowers.

Select the type of flower: You can choose between fresh and fake flowers. Fresh flowers are a beautiful option, but they may not last as long as fake flowers. Fake flowers are more durable and can still look very realistic. You could also opt for sculpted clay flowers, which are a popular choice for wedding pins.

Pay attention to the details: Consider the small details that will make your pins unique. For example, you could add velvet millinery leaves to your pins for a touch of elegance. You can also choose between different types of pins, such as alligator clips or pin backs.

Match your theme: If you're having a tropical wedding, bright and colourful flowers may be a perfect choice. For a boho wedding, consider wildflowers or dried flowers. You can also add extras like baby's breath or silk petals to enhance the overall effect.

By keeping these factors in mind, you can choose the perfect flowers for your wedding pins and create a beautiful and memorable accessory for your special day.

Cutting the petals

To make wedding flower pins, you'll need to start by cutting out the petals. Here's a step-by-step guide to cutting the petals for your DIY wedding flower pins:

To begin, you will need to gather your materials. For a flower that is about 3.5 inches across, you will need about 1/8 of a yard of satin or Dupioni silk in your chosen colour. You can adjust the amount of fabric depending on the size of flower you want to create. Keep in mind that you can also use contrasting fabrics for a multicoloured effect.

Using your scissors, start by cutting out two petals in your desired final size, which is about 3.5 inches in this case. Then, gradually decrease the diameter as you cut out more petals, aiming for between 7 and 10 petals of different sizes. This will give your flower a natural, varied look.

Singeing the Petals:

Once you have all your petals cut out, it's time to give them a distinctive look by gently singeing the edges with a lighter. This step is optional but will add a unique, slightly raised and uneven edge to your petals. Be careful when handling the lighter and only apply the flame to the fabric for a brief moment to avoid burning the petals.

Assembling the Flower:

Now that your petals are ready, it's time to assemble them into a flower. Stack 2-3 of the smallest singed petals and use embroidery thread to stitch a cluster of French knots in the centre. This will give your flower a decorative centre point.

After that, attach the top petals with the French knots to the rest of the petal stack. You can do this by stitching them together or using a small amount of hot glue, depending on your preference.

Adding the Pin or Clip:

Finally, it's time to turn your flower into a wearable pin or clip. Stitch or glue a pin back or alligator clip to the back of your flower. If you want to add some leaves to your flower, you can wrap or sew some velvet millinery leaves around the clip.

And that's it! You now have a beautiful flower pin that can be worn by the bride, bridesmaids, or flower girls at your wedding.

Singeing the edges

To make wedding flower pins, you'll need to start by cutting out the petals. You'll need between 7 and 10 petals of different sizes, with the largest being around 3.5 inches across. Once you've cut out your petals, it's time to singe the edges.

The singeing process adds a subtle touch of elegance to your flower pin. By gently charring the edges, you create a contrast between the soft fabric and the delicate, slightly charred border. This technique is especially effective for satin or silk fabrics, as it enhances the luxurious sheen of the material. The result is a flower pin with a unique, handmade appearance that will enhance your wedding ensemble or any other special occasion outfit.

After you've singed all the petals, you can move on to the next step of assembling your flower pin. Remember to take your time and enjoy the process of creating these beautiful accessories.

Attaching the pin

Stitch or glue the pin back

Firstly, you will need to decide whether you want to stitch or glue the pin back or alligator clip onto the flower. If you are using a pin back, you can simply stitch it onto the back of the flower using embroidery thread. If you are using an alligator clip, you can either stitch or glue it on, depending on your preference.

Add leaves (optional)

If you want to add a touch of greenery to your flower pin, now is the time to add some velvet millinery leaves. You can wrap or sew these around the base of the alligator clip, or stitch them onto the back of the flower if you are using a pin back.

Cover the base of the pin

To make the base of the flower smooth and comfortable against your head, take a matching petal and cut it into a small piece. Use a small amount of hot glue to attach this to the base of the pin, covering any visible metal or plastic.

And that's it! Your wedding flower pin is now ready to wear or gift to your bridal party.

Adding the final touches

Now that you have crafted your wedding flower pins, it is time to add the final touches to make them truly stand out. Here are some ideas to elevate your pins and make them even more special:

Embellishments: Consider adding some extra sparkle or shine to your pins. You could attach small crystals, pearls, beads, or rhinestones to the centre of the flowers for an elegant and glamorous look. These embellishments will catch the light beautifully and add a touch of luxury to your pins.

Leaves: Add some greenery to your pins by incorporating leaves. You can use velvet millinery leaves, which can be wrapped or sewn onto the pin. Alternatively, you could cut leaf shapes from fabric and attach them to the pins, creating a more natural and organic look. Play around with different leaf sizes and shapes to find the perfect fit for your flowers.

Colour variations: Experiment with different colour combinations to create a unique and personalised touch. Try using fabrics in contrasting colours to create a multicoloured effect, or stick to a specific colour palette that complements your wedding theme. You could also create a gradient effect by using petals in varying shades of the same colour, adding depth and dimension to your pins.

Size variations: Make a variety of sizes to cater to different preferences and styling options. Smaller pins can be delicate and subtle, while larger pins can make a bold statement. You can also offer a range of sizes to suit different hair types and styles, ensuring that your pins are versatile and inclusive.

Presentation: Presenting your wedding flower pins in a beautiful way can elevate the overall impression. Consider placing them in elegant boxes or displaying them on cards wrapped with ribbon. You could also add a personalised note or tag with each pin, making your guests feel extra special.

These final touches will ensure that your wedding flower pins are not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing and memorable. Enjoy crafting and customising these special accessories for your big day!

Frequently asked questions