Sew Bouquets of Cabbage Roses

Cabbage Roses Are Blooming Everywhere!look like a flower.
Sew Some Up Fast And Easy!NOTE: The more you gather the thread, the flatter the
Have you noticed all the fabric flowers adorningflower. Looser gathers make the flower stand up
garments these days? Take a look around themore. You have to experiment with the gathers to get
department stores.the look you want.
They are everywhere on everything on people and inRemember, no pressing required.
homes.Now you want to make your rose look finished on the
Fabric flowers can be very expensive to buy.back.
But, you can sew your own with just some scraps ofPress some fusible interfacing to a scrap of matching
fabric and a little time.rose fabric. Draw a circle about the size of the bottom
Here is a simple technique for sewing cabbage rosesof the base of your flower.
in minutes.Cut out the circle. The interfacing will keep it from
I like two sizes of roses. The smaller one requires biasfraying.
cut fabric 3" wide x 15" long.Hand stitch the circle to the bottom of your rose to
The larger rose is 5" wide x 27" long.cover all the raw edges.
Try a sample of each to see what you like. Of course,You can attach a pin back to the bottom or sew the
you can make them any width or length. Experiment.rose directly to your garment. I prefer a pin back so I
Remember that the weight of the fabric makes acan easily remove the rose and use it for other
difference.garments, hats, scarves, etc.
Just know that the length and width of the piece ofI've seen these roses embellishing a wedding gown
true bias fabric needed depends on the size that youthat was absolutely stunning.
want the rose to be when finished.Use some unique fabrics to make your roses. Try
Fold the width in half with the right sides out and wrongprints, stripes, plaids, etc. Have some fun!
sides together. Do not press.You might even try making some roses from men's
Make tiny slits along the raw edges of the double biasold neckties. Necktie fabric is already cut bias.
fabric. This will prevent the bias from curling when youExtra tip: Save the interfacing from the ties to make
stitch and wrap it into a rose.new ties.
A side note: This is a good trick to know to keep biasTo keep your roses looking fresh and to keep from
from twisting in other areas of your sewing.being crushed, put small roses in Leggs hosiery plastic
Either machine or hand baste 1/4" from the raw edgeseggs.
matching slits on the edges as you sew.For larger roses, make a ring out of cardboard from
Pull the baste stitching to gather up the fabric slightly.an old file folder or cereal box. Place it around the rose
Tuck in one of the raw edge ends. That will be theand tape it to the right size for the rose.
center of the rose.Use your roses on your lapel, in your hair, to hold a
Now, roll or wrap the gathered fabric around itselfscarf, decorate a hat, embellish any garment or on a
loosely.special gift instead of a bow.
When it is all wrapped, pull the other end down underHow about some cabbage roses on decorative
the rose to hide it and tuck it in. Pin in place.pillows or your evening bags or put them on your
Thread a needle with a single thread run throughcurtain tie-backs.
beeswax to strengthen the thread and keep it fromI've even seen them on a ribbon wrapped around
tangling. I also like to run the thread under the iron tosome towels in the bathroom! Really gorgeous!
melt the wax into the thread. This is another great tipMake your own floral arrangement to match your
to remember for all your hand sewing.decor.
Then take hand stitches back and forth across theIt just makes sense to do it yourself!
bottom of the rose to hold all the layers together nicelyUse your imagination! You are the designer!
and secure the loose end.They are quick to make as gifts.
On the outside, turn the folded edges back a little toSew bouquets of fun!