As I mentioned the other day I was on a mission to make a fabric flower which I wanted to use as an embellishment on one of my new handbag designs. And here it is …

And I had so much fun making the fabric flower embellishment …

that I made a video tutorial for you! Although I originally had in mind to make the fabric flower using the tutorial that I mentioned in my previous post, I ended up doing it quite differently, and instead incorporated a number of fun techniques including fabric painting, embellishing with my fringe foot, and for the final touch, a hot air treatment to curl the edges of the petals. So if you’re in the mood to make some fabric flowers – have fun and enjoy the video!

And don’t forget, if you love embellishing and making embellishments – and I know that you do – you’ll find tons of techniques on my Titivations DVD. You’ll find it in the store.

I love to get your questions, comments and feedback! Leave them in the comments section here: Tutorial: Fabric Flower Embellishment

Usually I like my fabric beads kinda chunky like this …

… but every now and then I need a bead that’s perfect and plain like these.

(Shhhh, don’t tell but this is one of the embellishments my students will be making for next week’s lesson during my online embellishing class.)

There are a number of ways to get a perfectly round fabric bead, but this tip is too good to keep to myself. My secret for the quickest, simplest, most perfect round fabric bead ever ….

That’s right, double-sided adhesive!

All you need to do is cut a strip of adhesive and a strip of fabric the same size. Apply the adhesive to the wrong side of the fabric, cut the bead to length, usually around 1.5 to 2 inches.

Then remove the backing on the adhesive. But not all of it! leave about 3/4 – 1″.
Tip – I scored the backing paper with the back of my seam ripper.

Then wrap the fabric around a piece of dowel.

The adhesive backing provides strong support to give the bead a perfectly round shape. How perfect and simple is that?

You can probably find double sided adhesive sheets at your local craft store.

I love to get your questions, comments and feedback! Leave them in the comments section here: How to make a simple and perfect fabric bead

To finish the edges on my art bags …

… as wrap-around ties …

… and of course as embellishment on my art quilts.

If you’d like to try this technique yourself, you’ll find the tutorials here

And don’t forget, dozens of “titivating” ideas for embellishing can be found on my Titivations DVD. Check the store for details.

I love to get your questions, comments and feedback! Leave them in the comments section here: Embellishing with Machine Wrapped Cording

I know you can’t all be there with me, so here’s a little inspiration for you using one of my favorite methods for making fabric beads. This is a great way to use up all those small scraps of leftover fabric and fiber. And of course don’t forget – some of my favorite embellishing techniques are included on my Titivations DVD – check the store for details.

Firstly, dress up your plain fabric using the decorative stitches on your sewing machine. I can’t tell you the number of times I hear students tell me they don’t use those decorative stitches but there are so many ways to use them! Tip ~ A little tear-away stabilizer underneath helps to support the fabric when you sew decorative stitches.

Cut your fabric into strips – my favorite size is about 1-1/2″ wide by about 2-3″ long – tapered to a point at one end.

Instead of decorative stitches, consider adding your own decorative designs using a Krylon Gold Leaf Pen or Elmer’s Metallic Painters Pen (available from craft stores). I love these pens and use them for all sorts of embellishment touch-ups.

On the right side of the fabric dab a bit of fabric glue to the squared off edge, and on the wrong side of the fabric add some fabric glue along the tapered edges. Then wrap the fabric around a piece of 1/4″ or 3/8″ dowel rod and press firmly to secure.

Once the glue has dried, embellish your fabric beads with bits of fiber or bead wraps (beads threaded onto some fine craft wire).

This is a great week-end project and you’ll have dozens of fabric beads in no time at all! Happy Friday and have fun!

I love to get your questions, comments and feedback! Leave them in the comments section here: Need a quick weekend project? Try Some Fabric Beads

I’ve never had the ambition to make anything so lovely with fabric yo-yos, but I do love embellishing with them; you can use them for all sorts of different types of embellishment …

They’re are a fun way to display shisha mirrors.

You can even add some beads around the fabric yo-yo for additional embellishment.

You can put some bead dangles in the middle for a creative flower center.

Or just a single bead for a simple embellishment.

How to Make a Fabric Yo-Yo

It’s easy to make fabric yo-yos and you only need a few supplies:
- Fabric
- Circle template
- Fabric marking pen or pencil
- Sharp Scissors
- Strong thread
- Hand sewing needle

To make a fabric yo-yo, you need to cut out a perfect circle of fabric so first make sure that your fabric is pressed flat and wrinkle free. To size your yo-yo, the fabric circle should be cut approximately twice the size of the finished yo-yo; so for instance, if you wanted a 2″ fabric yo-yo, you would cut a 4″ diameter fabric circle.

For a perfect circle use a template to mark your fabric. A template could be the rim of a glass or mug, something that is perfectly round. Or you could simply print out a circle using a drawing program on your computer. MS Word and most word processing programs have simple shapes that you can design and print. Once you have your template, using a fabric marking pen or an ordinary pencil, trace the outline of the circle onto your fabric.

Once you’ve transferred your circle design to the fabric, carefully cut out the circle.

With the wrong side of the fabric facing up, fold over the edge of the circle about 1/8″ and using a small hand sewn running stitch, begin sewing folding the edge over as you go. Make sure you use strong thread, or you could double your thread to give it extra strength.

Continue sewing all the way round the circle.

Gently pull the thread so that the fabric starts to bunch up.

Continue pulling the thread gently until the edges are fully gathered, then make a small knot to secure the thread. Arrange the center hole so that the gathers are evenly distributed and laying flat.

Easy, right? An if you want to add a bead dangle to the center of the yo-yo, you can find instructions here.

This post is part of the 30 Days of Titivations; a 30 day blogathon all about embellishing and embellishments.

You can find lots of free embellishment tutorials in the tutorials section of my blog which can be found here, and even more techniques can be found on my Titivations DVD. Please visit the Instructional DVD section of the store for full details.

I love to get your questions, comments and feedback! Leave them in the comments section here: How to Make a Fabric Yo-Yo Look Titivating