Thursday 20 March 2014

Scrap buster- quick DIY fabric brooch

If you are anything like me, sometimes you just need a quick craft fix. To be able to whip up a pretty item in record time, and feel smug about having created something. I have the perfect craft, which you can do in 20 minutes with a cup of tea- fabric brooches! The bonus is, you get to use up your fabric scraps at the same time. 
A perfect way to spend your morning tea break!
All you need are a rectangular fabric scrap, a tiny scrap of felt, a needle and thread, scissors, a brooch pin and a button/ bead for the centre. 
Vintage teacup fabric scrap
Step 1: Take your fabric scrap and fold it in half lengthways, with the raw edges to the bottom. They won't be visable when your brooch is finished. 
Step 2: Do a loose running stitch to join the two raw edges together. You will notice that the fabric begins to "gather up" as you go. Do this the whole way along the scrap, gathering it up as tightly as you can. 
Running stitch
Beginning to gather up
Step 3: When you get to the end of the fabric scrap, join the two ends together to make a circular shape (see below.) Fold in any rough edges and stitch to secure in place. 
Join the ends together, hiding rough edges
Step 4: Take a smaller rectangle, and repeat steps 1-3 with it. 
Making a smaller version
Little and large "flower" shapes
Step 5: Place the small flower shape on top of the large one and sew them together.
Sew right through the middle
Step 6: To give the brooch a more "polished" look, add a button or a bead to the centre. This will cover any raw edges and stitches which are visable from the front. I always keep a stash of spare buttons and beads for this type of craft- I tend to find the most unusual ones in charity shops. 
Gorgeous tortoiseshell- style leather button
Step 7: Make the back look pretty! As you can see, the back of the brooch has a lot of rough edges. All you need is a little circle of scrap felt, stitched on neatly, to cover this. Add the brooch pin to the felt, and voila! You have your quick, easy, fabric-stash-busting brooch!
Before
After, with felt and brooch pin added
Step 8: Show off your new brooch with pride!

Dress up your coat lapel
My brooch cheers up my trench coat
Please follow my blog on Bloglovin': 

14 comments:

  1. Your gorgeous scraps make this so striking! Love it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks Ren! I found this teacup fabric in a remnant bin years ago and forgot I had it!

    ReplyDelete
  3. That's really beautiful and so easy to make. Thanks so much for your lovely comment on my blog x

    ReplyDelete
  4. That's brilliant and looks relatively easy to make! Thanks for sharing on #ThriftyThursday :-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Liz, thanks! It is pretty for a quick craft.
    Gina, no problem, I always enjoy visiting your blog. x

    ReplyDelete
  6. super cute, I'm going to have to remember this one

    ReplyDelete
  7. really pretty and very effective!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love these fun fabric flowers--they are so addicting to make! Thanks for the tutorial!

    Thank you for linking up to Fabric Frenzy Friday!
    -Lindsey
    Fabric Frenzy Friday

    ReplyDelete
  9. Beautiful! Love the fabric you chose. Thanks for linking up at Take it on Tuesday!
    ~ Betsy @ Romance on a dime

    ReplyDelete
  10. Perfect for spring...I love it and the fact that I can do something with all my scraps! I would love to have you join me for my Centerpiece
    Wednesday linky party and share this post with us. Come on over http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/2014/04/centerpiece-wednesday-cool-blues-with.html

    Karin

    ReplyDelete
  11. I really love your handmade stuff :) please visit my handmade blog to ^_^ and I'll be happy if you'd like to comment in my article >> http://delhusnashop.com/aksesorisjilbab/ thank you.

    I'd like to make brooches, necklace and ring :)

    By : Ainatul Radhiah - Owner Delhusna Handmade

    ReplyDelete
  12. If you don"t mind proceed with this extraordinary work and I anticipate a greater amount of your magnificent blog entries double sided fusible interfacing
    If you don"t mind proceed with this extraordinary work and I anticipate a greater amount of your magnificent blog entries double sided fusible interfacing

    ReplyDelete
  13. We are tied directly into the sate’s renewal database which allows us to process your request almost instantly. virtual assistant in Philippines

    ReplyDelete