Rolled Fabric Flowers

After a couple of years of sewing, I've found that I have lots of cute fabric swatches. 

And if I don't want to end up like my mom (who needs a storage unit for all her extra fabric!)

 It was time to get busy creating a use for it.

I went a little nuts... I think I have a flower for any and every occasion.

Don't they go great with my newly painted nails?!

Want to make some? Here's what you need to get started. 

A strip of scrap fabric (mine are generally 2" wide and 34" long-but really any size will do). 

If you going to make them for your flip flops, you'll want to cut two strip of the same size and length.

Start by tying a knot at the end of your fabric.

With the hot glue gun in hand put a little on the knot and 

start wrapping the fabric around the knot (gluing all along the way).

You'll start to create a little rosette center.

Continue to wrap the fabric around using the hot glue all along the way.

I sometimes twist my fabric all the way around. This creates that tattered look.

I also continue to press the center down so that the flower is nice and flat.

When you get close to the end of your fabric 

you'll what to take the "tail" and adhere it to the back of the flower.

Like this:

Don't worry if the back of your flower looks a little messy, you'll be covering it up with felt.

You can use any color felt (the cheap little squares work just fine) 

and cut out a circle the size of your flower.

Add some hot glue.

And adhere it to your flower.

I add a hair clip and a pin to the back of each flower.

So what to do with all these cute rolled flowers? Here's a couple ideas:

Jazz up a plain pair of flip-flops.

I added some to my beach hat.

Added a couple more to my new beach bag.

 The clip makes it really easy to slide onto a headband.

Or simply as a hair clip.

 I love the embellishment on a hat!

Or a couple on a jacket.

I'd love to what you do with yours!