I made up this method for making handmade fabric roses based on what I know of rolled fabric roses, and the organza flowers from Reese Dixon. Rather than keep all my secrets to myself, I want to share this method with others. Some crafters will think I’m crazy for sharing my secrets for an item I sell in my Etsy shop, but I believe that sharing information contributes to the creativity of others and that is more important than me selling stuff. That’s just my own personal philosophy on creativity. Share it – don’t hoard it! 
Making roses in 5 simple steps – after the break…
One note before I get started with the instructions…You must be able to follow instructions very well if you attempt to make these! Many of the steps have some leeway in them, but the part with fire requires MUCH caution. I can not be held responsible for any harm you incur while playing with fire. So attempt your rose making at your own risk. I am only sharing my own method, not every single safety precaution. This craft is for responsible adults. If you are not a responsible adult (or if you had to stop and ask yourself if you qualify) then this craft is not for you. Honestly, this is no more dangerous than cooking on a gas stove. 
OK, carry on then…
Choosing fabric for the roses
Big important point here – you must use synthetic fabric!! Natural fabrics do not work. Polyester is what I choose. You might pick something different based on this fabric burn test chart. I’ve had the best results using 100% polyester lining fabrics. Lining fabrics are generally cheap ($2 – $5 per yard) and plentiful at local fabric stores in many colors.
Step 1 – Cut fabric into strips
I fold the fabric by matching the selvedge edges, then folding again into quarters. This gives me a long skinny strip that is easy to cut with rotary cutter, clear ruler and cutting mat. If you do this with scissors, that works too. It just takes longer. My fabric is 45″ wide so after folding it is around 11″ wide – an easy size to manage with my cutting tools.
For this sample I cut the fabric into 3″ strips. I think 2.5″ is my personal preference. Try your own sizes to see what you prefer. After cutting you’ll have a 3″ by 45″ strip. Cut off the selvedge ends.
Step 2 – Shape the strips into petals
Fold the strips into 4ths, then 3rds again so they are around 4″ wide, then cut the corners off 2 top edges to shape like a wide rose petal. This will give a more realistic look to your rose. I also like to cut the first 3 petals off the end which will be the inside of the rose. This keeps the flower center from protruding up too much on the finished rose. You can also shorten the first few petals near the center if you like.
Step 3 – Melt the edges
Here is the secret step. Melting the edges of polyester seals it from fraying, and also creates a little curl and darkening on the edge of the rose petal for a realistic look.
Just hold the fabric strip near the candle flame and melt all edges of the strip – including the bottom and sides. I could wax poetic for an hour about all I’ve learned about this step. But it’s easier if you experiment a little bit yourself and see what works best for you. Here are a few tips from my experience – use them or create your own preference:
- I like using a candle stick best, and quickly run the fabric through the flame.
- turn off any fans – air flow in the room will make the flame dance and just frustrate you
- if the wick gets too long the flame will dance – same frustration as above
- each fabric melts differently – experiment until you like the results. Be aware that light colored fabrics might get black if held near the flame too long, so work quickly.
- be sure to melt the inside corners between petals to prevent fraying there
- The bumpy edge looks best curled, but the straight edge which will be the base of your rose just needs to be sealed and not melted into curling
Step 4 – Gathering the strip
After the strip is cut and melted, you just gather the bottom edge, that’s the side that doesn’t have the bumpy petal shapes.
I’ve done this 3 ways. All of them work. Choose the one you prefer
- Using a pleater foot on my machine (shown in photo)
- Increasing the top thread tension on my machine, then baste. This makes the fabric pucker and gather on it’s own.
- Baste the edge by hand or machine and pull the thread to hand gather
A note on gathering and bloom size
Gather that 45″ strip down to anywhere between 10″ and 20″. The more you gather, the more open your rose would be. Below are photos of the same 45″ strip next to a ruler. One is gathered around 10″ and the other is more like 20″. After rolling them up, the 10″ gathered strip makes the open bloom on the right. The 20″ gathered strip makes a more closed bloom on the left. Play around with different gathered sizes to see what you like best. I have found that leaving the center side of the strip loosely gathered gives me a nice “bud” for the rose center so it looks more like a real rose. As with the other steps – experiment to find what you like best.
Step 5 – Roll and sew
Now you just roll up the gathered strip and hand sew it together at the base. I usually roll the strip around my finger and just keep the basted edge lined up as I roll it. Be sure the fabric doesn’t slip around and make the center part too high. Use a strong thread to tack several stitches at the base which will hold the rose together. To make the rose more realistic – look at how the petal edges curl, then roll the rose so the petals curl towards the outside. You can always do some touch up melting if you find any fraying edges, or if you want to curl some petals. You can also use your needle and thread to “soft sculpt” the rose and position centers if you are feeling ambitious.
Finishing up
That’s it. You have a rose! After practicing it should take around 15-20 minutes per rose. The melting steps and the hand sewing steps are good for putting on the telephone headset and chatting with friends and family. 
Here are some ideas on what to use these for:
- Make a brooch by sewing or gluing on a pinback
- attach to clothing, purses, shoes
- make hair accessories – ponytail holder, headband, barette or bobby pin
- decorate your home – attach to lamp, fill a bowl or vase, sew onto curtains, bedspread, etc.
- perfect for giftwrapping – use a rose instead of a bow and use a strip of matching fabric for the ribbon
- They make nice favors for parties, showers or weddings. Incorporate them into placesettings. Make napkin rings.
These are just some uses I could think of. There are many, many more. I would love to hear what you are using them for. Please leave a comment and let me know what you think of this tutorial and how you plan to use all the roses you are going to make!
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:15 am
These flowers are my favorite!!! I have purchased several large orders of these to make hair accessories with them. Some are available for purchase in my shop at http://www.jeckaboutique.etsy.com and featured on my blog at http://jeckaboutique.com/blog/.
DuhBe has been such an inspiration! I am anxiously awaiting a huge order in many of the new colors…My mind is spinning with new ideas, especially for brides. Stay tuned…
THANK YOU, LUCI!!!
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:46 pm
Thanks for the awesome tute! Great instructions an I look forward to tying my hand at making some of these… they are beautiful.
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:50 pm
Very nice! Thanks so much for sharing!
July 24th, 2009 at 2:09 am
I love these – thanks for the turorial. On a more personal note, it is always great to find other crafty science geeks. I’ll be back.
July 24th, 2009 at 2:22 am
How beautiful these roses are, and how very generous of you to share your method! Thank you!
July 24th, 2009 at 4:28 am
Love your easy tutorial. I have fooled around making roses since a child, but making dolls is my hobb now. I sometimes require smaller things and although I use the candle to burn fabric hems, I think trying a wood burning tool is safer and perhaps will accomplish the same thing but one can be more precise. I do like the black sometimes, but sometimes not. You can also put holes in synthetics with the tool which look like lacy things. Some grape leaves look just like that outside as the Japanese beetles have been dining with vigorll making them look like lace.. What fun that might be to print those lacy leaves on fabric…Off the subject, but still in the flora etc….Thanks for sharing. Your ideas are like yeast…they grow! pharpha
July 24th, 2009 at 4:31 am
try a wood burning tool instead of the candle for preciseness and safety issues.
Also, a wire zigzagged works well and fast for the gathering and is easily twisted to finish before you stitch by hand. This is more sturdy for some uses.
July 24th, 2009 at 4:40 am
Thanks for all the encouragement. I’m so glad people have found their way over here from the CRAFTzine blog.
As far as using a woodburning tool, I have actually used a soldering iron for that purpose but it only seals the edges and you don’t get the same curling and darkening of the petals. But people should experiment with their own tools and creative flow to see what works best! I had some options like that at the end of the tutorial, but decided to leave that as a follow up post later on.
July 24th, 2009 at 10:52 am
These are SO pretty! Thanks for sharing your technique =)
July 24th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
How beautiful. I am making a quilt for each of my daughter in laws and needed some kind of decoration. I have it now. Roses. thank you
July 24th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
These are fantastic. And your Tutorial is very clear and easy to follow. Thank you for your generousity
July 24th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Thanks for this! I ran across this at Craft, and it happened to be just the thing I needed. I whipped up a couple in black and added some stems and fake leaves to use as accessories for a mime costume (Quiet Riot bar crawl in Pittsburgh!). Totally perfect! Thanks!
July 24th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
how fabulous is your tutorial!!!
thanks a lot for these fantastic roses
July 24th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
How beautiful! I saw the link on Craft and just had to click over. i would love to link to this in the Daily DIY if you didn’t mind. Off to explore the rest of your blog…
July 24th, 2009 at 7:53 pm
I SO appreciate your tutorial b/c I can really make & use these with my cards! Once I get around to buy fabric this weekend & finished them, I’ll be sure to post & link back to you on my! AWESOME! Thanks so much!!! Cheers, Julie
July 25th, 2009 at 1:26 am
Wow Emily, that was fast! I’m so glad the tutorial worked for you!
July 25th, 2009 at 1:29 am
Link all you want Rachel. Your “one pretty thing” website is very nice!
July 25th, 2009 at 7:48 am
Hello thank you so much for sharing not to many people like you out their . Your step by step is very detailed good job thank you again i will enjoy making them with my pre teen mom and daughter time. thank you for the memory’s we will have
July 26th, 2009 at 2:31 am
[...] I think I’m going to add at least one more to the mix: I am dying to try to make these fabric roses. But I want to make them GIANT size, attach them to sticks, and place them in a huge vase in my [...]
July 26th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
What a great tute Luci! I agree with your sharing creativity philosophy 110% and I’m thrilled to see it bearing fruit (or roses) right here! Yay us!
July 26th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
[...] DuhBe shares a tutorial for making these gorgeous ribbon rose blooms. Use an individual bloom as a brooch or a group of them as a mini bouquet. Go to the tutorial. [...]
July 26th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
Stunning!!! I posted a link to your tutorial (and your Etsy shop) on Craft Gossip Sewing:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-ribbon-rose-bloom/2009/07/26/
–Anne
July 28th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
What a great compliment from you Reese, since it was your gorgeous blooms that inspired me in the first place!!!
July 30th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mleak/3773482682/in/photostream/
Thanks again!
August 3rd, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Your roses are beautiful!!! Thanks so much for sharing.
August 5th, 2009 at 9:28 pm
[...] of projects. It is actally almost done – I just need to cast off and block. I tried those roses, but they are a lot more difficult than they look! I tried basting them and pulling the thread to [...]
August 7th, 2009 at 8:36 am
c’est magnifique, bravo pour cette réalisation, j’adore
amitiés, karine
(edited by Duhbe for the English translation: “This is great, bravo for your idea, I love it. Friendship, Karine
Now if I could only translate those comments I’m getting in Turkish, sorry!)
August 21st, 2009 at 7:35 am
Hey thr thanks a lot…really nice and easay…i knew how to make the roses but dint knw i cud burn the edges to keep it from fraying…i have a fashion show lined up and m gonna use these for my models shoes…thxs god bless..
August 21st, 2009 at 11:59 am
thank you so much for these clear directions and the pictures are wonderful bonus! . Thank you for sharing your ideas.. I am looking to make roses to put on bridesmaids dresses.. and these will be perfect! I cannot wait to get started!
August 31st, 2009 at 5:38 pm
[...] einer Kerzenflamme verschmolzen habe. Im Internet gibt es einige Anleitungen dazu. Ich habe mich an dieser Beschreibung orientiert, Lucy hat schon diese andere Fundstelle für die Methode erwähnt. Natürlich [...]
German –> English translation via Google translator
[...] A candle had melted. On the Internet there are some instructions to do so. I have been guided by this description, Lucy has already mentioned this other reference to the method. Of course, [...]
September 7th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
[...] A super easy way to jazz up an outfit, bouquet or the ceremony/reception decor, this amazingly easy tutorial on how to make fabric roses is an inexpensive way to put your DIY mark on your wedding without breaking the bank. Etsy seller [...]
September 9th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
Thank you so much for sharing how to make these roses. They are so pretty and I can’t wait to give to a try. You did a fantastic job of explaining step by step, thanks again for your generosity!
Peace to you….
September 19th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
Waouw. Thanks for sharing, can’t wait to try it out.
(I love Science and art to!) I’m in my last year of High school and hope to become an orthodontist, but I still like crafts. As a matter of fact, i’m making rings now)
September 19th, 2009 at 11:26 pm
Sou apaixonada por rosas! Obrigada por compartilhar com a gente essa maravilha.
Beijos e até mais…
(Duhbe translated this from Portugese to English using Google Translator:)
September 22nd, 2009 at 3:35 pm
Hi Alexandra, glad you found me! Just remember that science and creativity are not mutally exclusive, they should actually be best friends!
September 23rd, 2009 at 6:15 am
I’m so glad I found this tutorial! I’m a costumer and want to use this technique to make some rose petal skirts for fairie folk in a show I’m doing. Thank you for being so generous with your instruction. Knowledge is a good thing and can be so useful. I’ve been trying a woodburning tool, doesn’t seem to get the same curl to the edge as the candle. That makes all the difference.
Thanks again so much for this tutorial. Blessings!
October 5th, 2009 at 9:28 pm
[...] you’d prefer a little more realistic rose, then check out this how-to from DuhBe. They use a technique of cutting fabric, shaping it with a candle and then gathering it to create [...]
October 16th, 2009 at 2:57 am
We love this! Thank you so much for sharing. We will be making mention of this project and your blog on this week’s Sunday’s Inspired at Home Radio show. http://www.inspiredathomeradio.com
Creatively,
TIffanyT
October 16th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
Tiffany – that’s great news! I’ll be sure to listen, and I plan to hear some of your older podcasts while I work in my studio today. Thanks!
October 22nd, 2009 at 12:56 pm
WOW! Love them! And you have a great “personal philosphy”!
October 23rd, 2009 at 12:27 am
Thank you so much for sharing. I agree with your philosophy. I used to have a craft company where I recycled maps into jewelry and ‘stuff’. I’ve been sharing this process with many people, no charge. I love recycling and crafts!
I will make the rose tomorrow. Looking forward to your technique. I’ve tried others but these roses look the most authentic.
November 25th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
its wonderfull:)so so so thank you for these rose:))
December 7th, 2009 at 5:16 am
[...] Click here to learn how to cut and fold your way to your own gorgeous lotus flowers made of silk…great to adorn hair clips, bags and clothes! For a tutorial on making fabric roses, go here. [...]
December 23rd, 2009 at 3:12 pm
This is yet another stunning way to create one of nature’s most beautiful flowers and you do it so much justice.. absolutely beautiful!
December 29th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
This is so great! Thanks so much!
December 30th, 2009 at 11:01 am
Thank you so much for your generosity .
I have my own furniture and furnishing store .
I do not have a lot of time to experiment when I come up with an idea for something . You have saved me loads of time . I plan to incorporate these into my wedding also . I will be back to your place !!!!
Amazingly easy to follow.
January 3rd, 2010 at 9:37 pm
I can’t thank you enough for this tutorial.
You use many of my techniques I use everyday.
I’m an alternative fashion designer who does both garments and accessories and I will sure experiment with this technique to make roses for the garments, hats and hairclips.
Thank you for sharing.
Lots of karma to you!
xXx
Ingela Lordsdotter
January 9th, 2010 at 11:25 am
I came across this website while searching how to make fabric flowers- I love your instructions, especially with pictures- and the roses are beautiful. Thank you!
January 16th, 2010 at 11:40 am
LOVE this tutorial! I am going to start making roses for my custom Stevie Nicks hats and clothing in my store next week, and am DEF. going to try out this method, thank you so much!
Barbara
http://www.StevieNicksClothing.com
January 17th, 2010 at 5:08 am
thanks so much cant wait to try …from nz
January 19th, 2010 at 8:25 pm
Thank you Duhbe for the instructions on how to make a rose, and I totally agree with your philosophy, sharing your idea is so unselfish. The roses are beautiful. I will be making roses.
January 24th, 2010 at 6:14 am
This tutorial is GREAT. I’ve been doing a lot of research on flower making and I’m so excited to have found your tutorial. I’m attempting to make my bridal bouquet and this is perfect! Thank you for sharing! I’m headed to JOANN’s tomorrow for my fabric. =)
January 25th, 2010 at 5:56 pm
Thank you so much for this tutorial! I’m getting married this year and want to make one for my hair. I’ll be using these in projects for a long time. It is very kind of you to share your technique — again, thanks!
January 30th, 2010 at 1:59 am
i’m using it for an american beauty design for college fashion show
February 10th, 2010 at 11:38 am
anlat?ml? olu?u çok güzel deneyece?im sizinle tan??t???ma çok memnunum türkiye istanbul agva’dan selamlar
February 10th, 2010 at 1:16 pm
Cok guzel isler yapm?ss?n tebrikler
February 10th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
Bu arada eger kumasin organze ise HAVYE ile kesmek kolay ve yaktigin zamanki gibi kotu durmuyor daha guzel gorunur
February 11th, 2010 at 12:03 am
I love it! thanks for the tutorial!
February 19th, 2010 at 3:31 pm
I have been looking around for a good pattern for fabric roses to add to my wedding gown. This is EXACTLY what I was hoping to find! Yay! Thank you!
February 28th, 2010 at 6:42 pm
thanks so much for posting this tutorial. i originally did get the idea for the flowers from etsy. i was going to purchase them to make a little cluster on the shoulder of my baby sisters wedding dress. but then i thought it would be so much more special if i could make it for her and she could save forever. it certainly looks a lot easier than it is for a beginning sewer/crafter like me. i’ve found such pretty colors and materials and i’ve been sitting here staring at it all trying to figure out the secret. with the wedding 5 days away, it was a relief to find this. thanks so much.
March 3rd, 2010 at 10:44 am
Thanks for the roses I made them and put them on a wedding cake, in black.
March 7th, 2010 at 1:44 pm
[...] know the song from Singing in the Rain it is even more crashy-burny. I made a rose a la this wonderful tutorial. Maddie’s recent post reminded me that my rose was sitting on my Sewing ‘Studio’ [...]
March 8th, 2010 at 2:06 pm
HI! I love your tutorial, especially the portion on why we should choose certain fabrics. I plan to make my bridal and brides maids’ bouquets as well as loose blooms to place around the base of my tiramisu wedding cake. You’re the greatest! Thank you so much for sharing!
March 8th, 2010 at 2:38 pm
Hi Jamie – I thinks it’s so cool you’re making flowers for your wedding and would love to see pics! It sounds like an Indy bride wedding? My favorite kind.
I use the silkessence fabric from Jo-Ann for the best results, but any polyester will do.
March 8th, 2010 at 3:24 pm
beautiful, making my first cuff so may try hee hee…thank you for sharing x
March 10th, 2010 at 2:21 am
[...] DuhBe [...]
March 10th, 2010 at 9:27 am
[...] have a bag of remnant fabric in the blue that I wanted. I followed the instructions at http://duhbe.com/blog/?p=807 to make a synthetic fabric rose. The only step I didn’t follow was the advice not to have [...]
March 14th, 2010 at 8:35 pm
Beautiful! I hope you don’t mind, I am linking to you tonight
I’ve made quite a few of these!
kudzu
March 24th, 2010 at 5:01 pm
These are beautiful and so easy to make. I’ve made some for corsages and hair accessories. Fantastic and thank you for sharing.
March 28th, 2010 at 10:05 pm
Fabulous, cant wait to have a go at it. Maybe tonight over a candle lit dinner.
Cheers
Gail from down under
March 29th, 2010 at 3:26 am
These are just stunning, and an excellent tutorial. Thank you for sharing.
April 2nd, 2010 at 9:08 pm
Thank you so much! I was able, upon first try, to make a decent looking rose, following your ttutorial! I have been trying unsuccessfully to make those rolled ribbon roses, and I just can’t do that. Is there a place where I could see how you have finished the back/bottom of your roses?
April 3rd, 2010 at 10:00 am
Hi Cindy, the back of my roses are an ever-evolving process, but I usually leave the ruffle kind of open. Here is a pic that includes a pin sewn on, but you get the idea…
I always use heavy duty thread to sew the roses together with a tapestry needle. I tack stitch in 6-8 spots and insert the needle at the point where the gathering threads are. There is also a way to hide the bottom ruff and flatten the rose by sewing the ruffle to the bottom petals but I don’t know how to explain it yet – I just figured out that method last week.
If I ever find the time, I will re-write the rose tutorial and include the hand stitching part. I’ve learned a lot after making hundreds of these.
April 3rd, 2010 at 11:31 am
Thank you for the detailed information and for the picture. It is very helpful.
April 10th, 2010 at 9:50 am
Hi,
I can’t thank you enough. I plan to make the
roses for my granddaughters wedding. Wish me
luck.
Thanks a bunch
April 20th, 2010 at 10:16 am
Thank you so much for theses instructions, they are so consise, which is greatly appreciated, expecially the pics.
April 27th, 2010 at 8:52 pm
Gorgeous roses! I would love to try, but I have to get re-aquainted with my sewing machine
Thank you for sharing your secret with us
*hush*
hehe
April 28th, 2010 at 1:54 am
Hello from Australia:)
Very nice and using lining is a good idea–the burnt edge give the rose a special touch.
Thank You for sharing
May 6th, 2010 at 9:31 pm
[...] that I will never have a use for this. But it’s still kinda cool. It’s a post on making roses from polyester fabric. And the procedure involves FIRE! That alone makes me want to look for a reason to make some of [...]
May 20th, 2010 at 2:50 pm
I just made one for my 4 y.o.’s flower girl dress. The bridesmaids provided their dress & lining fabric after alterations. It is the perfect addition to the sash on the flower girls’ dresses. Thank you for sharing this!
May 20th, 2010 at 3:25 pm
Here’s a link to my first try at a fabric rose.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/maryconner/4624779735/
May 21st, 2010 at 7:06 am
Nice job Mary, your little flower girl is going to look so cute!
In case I haven’t said it lately to all the commenters – thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a note!
May 24th, 2010 at 8:30 pm
I LOVE your tutorial. I made my first one with red satin & red tulle. I loved it so much that I made 6 more! http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4285464&l=b704a4a5c9&id=554730381 and http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4285464&l=b704a4a5c9&id=554730381
I also had some 1.5 inch organza and other transparent ribbon I played with and it turned out great. Thanks!
May 28th, 2010 at 10:45 am
Thanks for the comment Marissa. I couldn’t see your photos on facebook, but I really liked the baby hair bows on your blog! Are you going to make some flower headbands too? That would be cute.
May 31st, 2010 at 9:28 pm
i think that you are indeed a very generous person to share your knowledge with everyone.thanks. tthe roses are beautiful i will try them.
June 7th, 2010 at 9:02 pm
Thanks for the simple instructions to make these roses.So simple and pretty
June 9th, 2010 at 9:56 am
I wanted to show you how the final flower girl roses turned out. Here’s a link to the photo on Flickr. They were a huge hit and I had a lot of fun telling people that I actually MADE those roses! Thanks again!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/maryconner/4684979775/
June 10th, 2010 at 5:03 am
Hello there and greetings from Finland!
(or actually Sweden atm)
Just wanted to thank you for the great tutorial. I also have an ambitious plan to flower my own wedding, either with paperflowers or fabric and these are just so adorable! <3
now i just gotta find my candles and lighter from one of these move-in boxes!
June 10th, 2010 at 10:31 am
I am a bridal seamstress who has made roses out of satin in many different ways and with different tools, but this is the most realistic looking rose, an easy-to-follow tutorial from a most generous crafter. Thank you!
June 14th, 2010 at 12:23 am
hi Duhbe,
hope ur well,
i thought id giv it a go ,
well it turned out really fantastic like ur “burgandy rose” but purple with more layers.
thanx,
im going to try the leaves.
Min-e Sengel.
June 18th, 2010 at 2:01 pm
[...] Synthetic Rose flowers [...]
June 23rd, 2010 at 11:41 pm
how generous of you to share this! what a life saver! i already made one and it looks fab!!
June 24th, 2010 at 8:10 pm
Thank you so much for sharing these directions. Im about to make some! I am using some old dresses that are 100% poly. I have Red, purple and blue…cant wait to see how they turn out!
June 28th, 2010 at 8:52 pm
[...] would be a great opportunity to give it a whirl. A quick Google search resulted in my finding this awesome tutorial for fabric roses. rose color chart from [...]
July 5th, 2010 at 9:24 pm
Greetings from India. Many thanks for a great tutorial. now a days i am in a mood to make fabric flowers and has been surfing net for the same. i’ll be making this beautiful flower today itelf.
many thanks again.
Best wishes.
July 8th, 2010 at 7:50 am
Thanks for sharing your technique. I was looking for a rose making tutorial. I love it when people use pictures! Thanks so much. This has given me a beautiful idea for some hair fascinators I’m working on. Thank you!
July 8th, 2010 at 9:22 pm
This tutorial is wonderful! Easy to follow which inspires confidence. I love the idea of embellishing a special gift wrapped present! Can’t wait to make these. Thank you.
July 11th, 2010 at 9:40 am
thanx 4 this tutorial!been looking all over 4 fabric roses and so far yours is simply the best!!!as an owner of a fabric store,the possibilities are endless,once again thanx!!!
hope there’s more where this came from…
July 11th, 2010 at 11:57 am
[...] hoped to use them to practice sewing, but several of them were sheer sort of fabrics. I came across this tutorial for making lovely fabric roses and, would you know, my sheer remnants were exactly the kind of [...]
July 13th, 2010 at 1:19 pm
Beautiful roses! I love making flowers and am always happy to find a great one. I put them on the purses I make as well as using them for pins and hair clips. Looking forward to making these.
Thanks.
July 24th, 2010 at 8:05 am
[...] Kako se prave ružice pogledajte ovdje. [...]
July 24th, 2010 at 4:25 pm
Prekrasne ružice, oduševljena sam njihovim izgledom! Hvala vam što ste podijelili s nama svoju kreativnu tajnu! Pozdrav iz Hrvatske
))
August 14th, 2010 at 12:43 pm
Hi Duhbe, just finished making 3 of your beautiful roses – they are so easy and very effective. Burnt my fingers a couple of times, but no major disasters.
I teach basic sewing skills to unemployed women at the Anglican church in the coastal town of Margate on the south coast of Kwa Zulu Natal, in South Africa, and am always on the look-out for novel ideas for items we make to sell to raise funds and also give the students ideas of how to use their skills. The first thing I’m using your roses for is on a coat hanger cover I made today – quilted and beaded (my first attempt). Then I’ll be embellishing some basic “tote” bags I have in mind, and then …. who knows, the sky’s the limit!!
Thank you for sharing your talent with us.
Lots of love, Angela
August 31st, 2010 at 4:53 pm
Beautiful. Thank you for sharing with the rest of us.
September 1st, 2010 at 6:40 pm
[...] DIY: Silk Flowers [...]
September 3rd, 2010 at 9:37 am
Awesome, thanks! These are so cute. I’ve been wanting to know how to make this kind of thing and yours are really pretty.
Cute blog, by the way! I just found you, and I’ll be subscribing.
September 3rd, 2010 at 1:31 pm
I am 76 yrs. old and your instructions for making these fabric roses inspired me so I created some; then,I decided to make fabric gift bags & attach a rose to it. I have given out several and the feedback is encouraging so I am proceeding, hoping to create a business out of it. I do not know how to create a website yet but maybe I’ll learn to do that too. Thanks to you for sharing your instructions. Irene
September 16th, 2010 at 9:18 am
Thanks for this – I needed to decorate the bridesmaids’ dresses for guys and dolls with over the top roses so have used satin and chiffon – they look fabulous!
Helen x
September 17th, 2010 at 2:43 am
Hey there!
Awesome web BTW………did you get it designer by a web designer or something?!! And whats better is your breathtaking flowers! My WE teacher is teaching us how to do it, and I wanted some ideas. This was perfect! I love all your roses and I am a fan! YOU ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOCK!
September 25th, 2010 at 11:35 pm
[...] güller yapman?n de?i?ik bir yöntemi! burada resimlerle aç?klamalar? var . Yazar Eylül 26, 2010. by admin. Kategorisi Genel. Etiketleri . [...]
October 1st, 2010 at 7:41 am
WOW! I have done the usual fabric roses, but wanted something more realistic for an OSU Rose Bowl Championship quilt for my boss. THIS IS AWESOME! I’ll send you a pic of the quilt when it’s done. Now, If I can just figure out how to make 3D buckeyes…
October 1st, 2010 at 8:31 am
Thanks Sam, I would LOVE to see pictures of the Rose Bowl quilt when it’s finished! (the rose bowl parade is the most amazing parade in my book, all those floats covered in flowers – it stuns me!)
October 1st, 2010 at 9:14 am
YOU DIDNT REPLY TO MY POST!!!!!!!!!
BTW, I made my rose….it sucks a lil bit, cuz it doesnt look like this. The method that my teacher taught is way different. Therefore, Im gonna make one such flower.
Doubt: Is that polyester?! The polyester that I bought is not as shiny as this one + it is not multicoloured. So, I kinda bought chinese silk, which is easier to burn AND cut.
Luv,
Karzz
P.S: please reply.
October 1st, 2010 at 10:08 am
Karzz, I didn’t realize you asked a question before, but YES I designed my own website. All the tools I used are credited at the bottom of the website.
I only use 100% polyester for these roses.
There are 2 kinds of fabric called China Silk – one is 100% polyester which will work great, the other is 100% silk habotai which doesn’t melt but catches fire and could prove extremely dangerous if you try and make roses with it. (it catches fire, then burning fibers float away and land on other flammable things. Don’t ask me how I know this
October 6th, 2010 at 3:40 pm
greetings from England- thanks for sharing this technique and well done for such an easy to follow tutorial
October 8th, 2010 at 2:59 am
Yea…..I found the credits. I wanna make a website, hope it prove helpful soon.
About the cloth: So far, I saw two types of polyester. The polyester that my teacher suggested scorches and turns black. But the one that I am using is good. Guess its the right kind of silk.
Thanks for the info and reply. Im gonna make the roses and I will let you know if it turns out good.
Karzz
October 18th, 2010 at 12:25 pm
I love the roses, tutorial & technique was wonderful. Am confused about copyright use whether I can make these for personal use or make to sell adding them to another craft, or make another similar item for crafting. Thanks for clearing my confusion
October 19th, 2010 at 7:15 am
Hi Gwen (& all),
My fabric rose designs are there for everybody to make and use however you desire. You are welcome to make them and sell them, either alone or on other projects. (FYI – It is considered poor taste to sell the roses by themselves in direct competition with my own shop – but there is nothing illegal about doing so) Many people are using them to embellish clothing, purses, pillows and other items that they sell. I think it’s great and I’m flattered by that!
The only thing that is legally covered by copyright is my printed instructions and photos here on the blog. You many not copy those and publish as your own. But the idea of making the roses and the techniques I described are not covered by copyright or trademark, nor did I pursue a patent on them. So feel free to make some profit selling items covered in roses. The world always needs more roses, in my opinion.
Hope that clears things up for everybody!
October 19th, 2010 at 10:05 am
Thank you Duhbe
I do not want to sell the roses alone, only
for embellishment; but did not want to do anything wrong…..meanwhile I am busily preparing to do a home business & looking at both planning and doing the ugh…work how enjoyable
October 19th, 2010 at 11:48 pm
I made one in bownb satin & its wonderful….also made some sheer candy cane fabric with silver sparkle on edges of candy canes. and muted white on fabric The roses are beautiful they do not curl as much as the satin ones but still look good ….Caution fabric burns easily….but hold it up farther away from flame and work with it more slowly….otherwise it catches fire and burns holes in fabric.. the pattern looks good and will be a good different embellishment for Christmas….also made one in sheer fabric that have **** caution this fabric burns but not as easily as the candy canes** small pine cones, and has some gold highlights on edges of cones….these are really cool….If you see either fabric or try other designs if you are going to embellish something solid with these
October 21st, 2010 at 10:11 am
Thank you so much! I love handmade flowers!! and I find a lot of places for how to make it!! THANK YOU soooooooo much for your sharing!!!!!
>3<
October 23rd, 2010 at 12:45 am
I have no idea how to baste them D:
October 25th, 2010 at 9:33 pm
Basting stitches are just stitches with long lengths.
If you’re not sure how to sew them after they are rolled up – here’s what I do…
Keep you finger in the center from the top, then turn it over and look at the gathered bottom. Using a long needle and strong thread, stitch the bottoms together like this…
Imagine the bottom of the flower is a clock face
insert the needle at 12, come out at 6
insert needle at 7:30 and come out at 1:30
insert needle at 4:30 and come out at 10:30.
Then make a few more stitches to even things out and shape the flower better.
October 26th, 2010 at 10:34 am
Thank you for making this tutorial on something I “trial-and-errored” myself! I love that you use a candle – it gives such a nice “unfocused” melt to the petal! One thing that I have found that I also like is using a 3-step zig-zag stitch to gather (3 stitches on each side of the zig-zag) because it pulls the edge of the fabric into a scallop so it is more “petal-y” when you sew it.
Fantastic work!
October 26th, 2010 at 10:36 am
one more thing that beginning candle users may find helpful – it is safer and more effective to hold your fabric a couple of inches above the flame! The heat is focused enough but is less likely to melt holes or catch your fabric on fire!
November 2nd, 2010 at 2:55 am
Adorable! Thanks for the tutorial. Can’t wait to make one!
November 3rd, 2010 at 10:49 am
I used several satin yellow to decorate mundane solid navy blue draperies to repeat yellow in the room and it looks good enough as if an interior decorator came in and gave life to the draperies..Thanks
November 4th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
hi Duhbe -
thanks so much for sharing your creativity. I’m in Botswana preparing for my wedding and have made a whole bunch of mini roses for my bridesmaids to use in their hair! a great way to spend an afternoon and so exciting to be making something myself to add to the festivities.
Kealeboga,
Thanks a mill. Tess
November 5th, 2010 at 7:21 pm
o my god thank u so much im just starting my yr 12 major work and i needed a way to make roses the way they taught us at school just wasnt my thing and theses are so much more prity
November 6th, 2010 at 9:59 am
Thank you so much for the wonderful instructions! I only have one question, how would I make these if I didnt have a sewing machine…cause I dont! LOL But want to make these!!
November 10th, 2010 at 12:45 am
IST WAS VERY NICE I AM GONNA TRY IT OUT TKHANKS A LOT
November 10th, 2010 at 9:07 am
I love fabric flowers, I bought supplies off of SweetSweetCircles on Etsy; they’re just pre-cut circles but it saved me so much time (and money) because I didn’t have to out and do the grunt work myself. I ended up making matching shoe and hair clips for my bridesmaids and they LOVED them!!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/sweetsweetcircles.com –> check them out, fast, cheap and friendly, totally reccommend them!
November 10th, 2010 at 7:33 pm
thanks so much for sharing how to make fabric flowers that DON’T look like I just balled up a scrap of fabric from the floor and glued it to a pin back!!!
I love your technique – both the burning and the gathering!
Have a wonderful week!
November 11th, 2010 at 7:24 am
i made my own..
following ur instructions..n its looking awsm…
November 15th, 2010 at 5:10 am
You are so clever and I thank you for sharing this unique technique so widely – very kind and generous of you. I am starting out tonight to continue to make a few roses for the blue satin evening bag I made myself this week. This idea is so cool!!!! thank you, thank you, thank you.
November 19th, 2010 at 12:37 am
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November 20th, 2010 at 4:19 pm
Great job of teaching the craft. I will try this project soon. Thanks for sharing. Velma
December 2nd, 2010 at 3:57 pm
Thank you so much for this great tutorial! My roses really didn’t curl but the burned edges look great. I needed a flower for the front of my baby granddaughter’s first Christmas dress and this was perfect. I made a larger one for her hair. Her dress is garnet silk and I used organza for the slip/lining and the organza was so nice for the flowers! Happy Birthday,Duhbe!
December 9th, 2010 at 5:18 pm
Thank you so much! I can’t wait to get started. These will be Christmas gifts for co-workers. I know they will love them.
Again, thank you for being willing to share this information and creating a great tutorial.
December 19th, 2010 at 10:47 am
from Barcelona thanks for sharing
buena filosofia!
December 19th, 2010 at 10:49 am
thanks for sharing,from Barcelona
buena filosofia aslo
January 1st, 2011 at 9:24 pm
Thank you for such a great tutorial. I have sewed and crafted for years and also believe in sharing my ideas for free. I have never made fabric roses and was thrilled at finding your website! I am making fancy skirts for my granddaughter’s birthday. She is such a little diva – loves the glitter and shine – and wears them to preschool. I thought the flowers would give her some variety. On another note – I found the times others posted very interesting. I think it says something about us die hard creative beings!!
January 6th, 2011 at 4:37 pm
I sooo enjoyed making these! Thank you so much for posting it.
January 9th, 2011 at 9:31 am
Thank you so much for sharing. I stumbled across this post around Thanksgiving while searching for something regarding my doll making. I had to delay trying it until after all the holiday baking, etc. My roses are turning out very beautiful. I’m using button craft thread to hold the rose together. I’m going to use some to adorn blouses I’ve made. You probably know that Chico’s is selling similar flowers for $35 each.
January 14th, 2011 at 9:40 pm
Excellent post and a great set of images on showing how to create silk flowers. At Withycombe Fair we have a passions for silk flowers and provide advice on getting started, visit our website at: http://www.withycombefair.co.uk
Artificial flowers and silk flowers.
January 25th, 2011 at 4:58 am
Thank you so much for sharing. I volunteered to make 800 roses to be incorporated into mapkin rings for a luncheon to raise money for cancer. I was really struggling but this tutorial is the answer. Thank you so much for helping to make it a wonderful success!
February 13th, 2011 at 3:23 am
Thanks for the great tutorial. I am using this to make an oversized hat, ala Lady Gaga, for a Mad Hatter party next month. The smaller prototype looks great
TY, again.
February 17th, 2011 at 7:36 am
I’d like to send you a couple of photos of the roses I’ve made, plus show you what I’ve found to make them into pins. Please email me as I think you’d find them useful. Also, where do you find the variegated fabric?
February 18th, 2011 at 3:04 pm
Thankyou so much for this, i am getting married next yr and am on a budget, i love the vintage theme and am attempting to make fabric/button/bead bouquet and trying to do it as cheaply as poss as unfortunatley cannot afford the £200+ that is being charged by some very talented people on Etsy. this is a very easy to follow tutorial and my first attempt came out really well so thankyou.
February 26th, 2011 at 1:36 am
Wow these are so lovely and beautiful! Can you use cotton for these? I went to the craft store the other day and there were only cotton fabrics for the colour I wanted. I’m not sure because cotton will probably burn.
Anyway thanks for the tutorial!
March 10th, 2011 at 7:43 pm
Thanks so much for this tutorial. I had a go myself and I’m so happy with the results. I intend to make some to wear in my hair when I get married next spring. The idea of decorating a cake with them is really nice idea too. I can see my wedding decor turning into a roses theme!
March 11th, 2011 at 7:16 pm
HOLA muchas gracias por compartir el tutorial de las rosas es hermoso, y explicas muy bien.. muchisimas graciasde nuevo y lo intentare espero me salgan hermosas como las tuyas =) que estes muy bien
March 13th, 2011 at 1:59 am
…la tua filosofia di condividere le tue idee mi piace molto,grazie per il tutorial molto esaustivo
e bellissimo, mi metto subito all’opera…
April 11th, 2011 at 12:16 pm
wow thanks a lot. i did it…
thank u so much. its all with ur help.
April 15th, 2011 at 11:03 pm
Thank you so much for your tutorial. I have been looking for months to find out how to make fabric roses. I am making my own wedding dress and it needs roses. You gave me a good idea, I will be making more as wedding favors, in the same color as the roses on my dress, so my whole family can have a little piece of the day for their memories. I think it will be more meaningful to be able to touch the rose and see the picture than handing out candy that won’t last forever.
April 29th, 2011 at 12:54 pm
te?ekkür ederim çok güzel
May 7th, 2011 at 12:02 am
thank u so much…i’ve been looking for such roses to sew on my daughters pink long dress…excellent tutorial..very easy to follow and work upon..thnx again
May 9th, 2011 at 2:00 pm
Thank you so much for posting this tutorial. I can’t wait to try some of these. I might make some matching headbands for me and my daughter.
May 28th, 2011 at 10:43 pm
Thank you for the tutorial! this has helped me so much! These are so awesome<3
May 29th, 2011 at 6:27 pm
im not real sure about how to stitch the bottom of this rose with a machine….would it work if i used a running stitch done by hand?
May 29th, 2011 at 8:34 pm
Using a running stitch by hand works fine too. Any method of gathering fabric should work.
June 9th, 2011 at 6:53 pm
I am a photographer and have been wanting to make some headbands for babies, and these are perfect! Thank you so much for sharing so generously with your secret “recipe”…Can’t wait to try it.
June 12th, 2011 at 8:19 pm
Gorgeous, all of your things are gorgeous, what an inspiration.
Im looking for a pattern to make vintage flowers using a few different fabrics in one flower ie lace, cotton and polyester, i might give it a go with this pattern.
Thank you kindly for sharing xxxx abundant blessings paula
July 15th, 2011 at 10:08 am
Hi there!
Thanks so much for sharing this one! It’s been so helpful. I have this bag that I’m attached to for sentimental reasons which was a little bit shabby – worked like a charm and comfy as anything, but shabby as. But now, thanks to your kindly tutorial, it is covered in these lovely roses, in red, black and a silvery striped material. =D I’m now making one for my mum.
Thank you very much,
Megs. ^_^
July 20th, 2011 at 5:25 am
I want to make my fiance a boutonniere for our wedding out of the fabric I used for my dress. I think your roses will work perfectly. Thanks!!!
July 26th, 2011 at 10:31 am
I love it, it’s fantastic, thank you very much !!!
August 13th, 2011 at 5:09 pm
Thanks for sharing this tutorial. My daughter is making these roses as one of the decorative techniques on her major project in textiles and design at school . All previous attempts with other rose patterns have been frustrating, so we are very grateful. What a difference this has made.
September 14th, 2011 at 10:38 pm
I would like to purchase some of your roses but
do not want to buy through Etsy. Can you tell me how I could buy from you another way?
September 24th, 2011 at 2:19 pm
I love these! Making a couple dozen for a dress I’m revamping! Thank you thank you SO much for this wonderful tutorial! It’s really fantastic! I squee every time I look at my finished roses and perfect a new one! Stay creative and blessed! <3
September 30th, 2011 at 10:28 am
Thanks! I have been looking for a tutorial for a few months. This is just perfect! The roses are beautiful. I made a bunch and then hot glued them on to a gift box for my mother-in-law. I think she was more please by the box than the Royal Dalton tea cup inside.
October 30th, 2011 at 2:43 am
You cannot imagine how thrilled I was to discover this method of making roses – thank you so much for sharing it! It transformed a boring bolero into a stylish garment; I shall be making many more!
October 30th, 2011 at 3:15 pm
I’m making a ring pillow for my granddaughter’s wedding, and having a difficult time getting the large fabric rose to come out nicely. Just found your tutorial, and I’m excited to try your method. It’s so nice of you to share your wonderful method! I’ll let you know how it goes.
Wedding is in 6 weeks.
November 2nd, 2011 at 3:10 pm
Very nice alternative to the typical melted edge rose. Thank you.
November 6th, 2011 at 2:18 pm
Your tutorial is awesome, and I can’t wait to put it to use! Going to make headbands & mini top hats… who knows, maybe even full size hats…
Thanks for posting this!!!
November 15th, 2011 at 12:41 am
hi.i was looking for something to do to pass time as a stay at home mum.thanks a million that is really creative.
December 16th, 2011 at 6:27 pm
Thank you for shareing your roses. I have tried and made them. I thought it would be hard but it was easy.
January 1st, 2012 at 9:45 am
I Love The Mauve Color in the color chart. I want to know is there somewhere or a site I can order that color fabric for a dress???
January 1st, 2012 at 10:19 am
Fayanna – that fabric is from JoAnne’s fabric so you should be able to find it. I use the silkessence fabric from there but they probably have that color in their other party and formal wear fabrics as well. Hope that helps!
January 8th, 2012 at 10:46 pm
Hi, Thank you so much for your instrustions,
that is very nice of you. I love the roses looking forward to making them.
January 13th, 2012 at 1:14 am
Thank you, the roses are lovely, I’ll try them for my handbags, looking forward to enjoying them!
January 22nd, 2012 at 5:27 pm
A heat gun used on an ironing board is much safer and more efficient. I cut individual petals and hot glue them together. Makes a more realistic flower. Sometimes i slip in some tulle petals and they look very dreamy. Great for weddings
January 23rd, 2012 at 6:40 am
Greetings from Romania and a big “thank you” for this amazing tutorial. If you don’t mind, I’d like to share to my readers your tutorial, with a link to your page.
January 23rd, 2012 at 9:55 am
Feel free to share with a link back Ana.
Also, an updated thank you to everybody who has left comments! Even though this is an old blog post, I still see the comments every time a new one pops up. I’m glad people are still enjoying these instructions and making things with flowers on them!