DIY 3 Layered Fabric Pouf Brooch

I have been loving those little fabric pouf brooch/hair clip duo's I've been seeing in stores lately and was determined to figure out how to make one of my own, so I searched the internet high and low and found a few tutorials that helped me create my own version.

I also took a trip to this great non-profit art supply place called Scrap 4 Art, that will let you fill up a big bag of donated items for $6. They have lots of fabric scraps there, so I was happy to fill up a bag bring them to life again.

I'm excited to show you  my version of the pouf using three types of fabric to add color and texture.

Before you get started, you need to know that this project is not hard, but took me about 2 hours to do, so plan ahead!

Here's what you'll need:

1. two fabrics of your choice (I used one cotton vintage patterned and one polyester solid)
2.  tulle
3. thread
4. sewing needle
5. traceable object (like a jar lid)
6. sewing scissors
7. brooch pin back
8. glue gun
9. marker

Trace four circles on the fabric you want the base to be.

    Cut them out!

    Fold each base circle in half, then in half again.

   Pinch each circle at the corner, then sew a stitch through one corner at a time, connecting each corner with the thread. Knot in place.

   Now it's time to trace circles onto your top fabric. The amount will vary, but I used about 15-20 circles.

 Cut the circles out.

Fold them in half and in half again, repeating the same process as above. Pinch one corner at a time for the next step.

 Next, hold each pinched corner of the folded circle and make one stitch through the entire brooch into the corner. Stitch again, all the way through connecting circles in the same way until the pouf looks tight enough. 

    Next, I cut out about 8 strips of tulle about 5 inches long, knotting them in the center.

    Place the knotted center in between the two different colored fabric pieces and sew a stitch all the way through, repeating this process all the way around the circle with tulle strips until tulle evenly covers the pouf.     

If you want to make your tulle curl up a little and look vintage like mine, hold the ends of the tulle carefully about 6 inches above a lit candle. They will start to curl up pretty fast, so start further away from the flame and slowly warm them. And watch those fingers! 

If you want to see a picture of how I did this with some other fabric brooches I made this summer, click here.

And here is the finished 3 layered brooch! 

                 

                 

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How to Make Cloth Vintage Inspired Booches

I was in a department store this week and noticed some pretty flower pin/hairclip combos in accessories, and not feeling like paying the price tag for them inspired me to try to make them myself. So, I went to a craft store and picked up some vintage looking flowers, pin backings and a roll of bridal tulle and went to work researching on the internet. What I have made below is a combination of various tutorials I found online, as well as some ideas I thought of my own.

Here is a little trick for making tulle curl up in a bowl and crinkle around the edges:

First cut out a tulle circle, then hold it carefully above a candle flame to melt it a little-make sure you don't hold it too close or the whole thing will burn!

After the circles were crinkled enough for me, I then layered three of the circles cut in different sizes, glue gunned the flower and pin backing to them for the finished product! Would be pretty on a summer dress, plain T-shirt, or tote.

The all-cotton brooch was inspired by embellished shirts I have loved but not loved the price tag on either, along with wanting to brighten up plain shirts with a fun, fresh look. The ones I made below were created entirely from a shirt I no longer wear because of a stain, but I still loved the pretty sequins and lace enough to want to find a different use for them. Are you ready to get out the needle and thread and those sock-stitching skills ? And, you will need a nice pair of fabric scissors too. Ready, set, sew!

First, I cut out little "B" shapes-out of folded in half fabric in different shapes and placed on top of each other at a slight angle.

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Then, I cut out a piece of the lacey sequin for the center.

 Next, I made a stitch with needle and thread throught the center, tightened to gather the fabric together in the center, and knotted on the back.

Finally, I glue gunned the pin backing to the back to finish. You could combine two together for a larger brooch, or even sew directly onto a shirt if you want, too!