Introduction: LED Fabric Flowers
This is a tutorial on how to make simple fabric flowers.
After making the flowesrs, I've provided steps on how to incorporate an LED into the design.
After making the flowesrs, I've provided steps on how to incorporate an LED into the design.
Step 1: Materials
Sewing Stuff:
1. Fabric
2. Thread (in a similar color to your fabric)
3. Needle (the longer the better for this project)
4. A button
5. Scissors
Electrical Stuff:
1. LED (I used white)
2. Soldering iron
3. Solder
4. Battery Pack
5. Batteries
6. Tape (optional)
1. Fabric
2. Thread (in a similar color to your fabric)
3. Needle (the longer the better for this project)
4. A button
5. Scissors
Electrical Stuff:
1. LED (I used white)
2. Soldering iron
3. Solder
4. Battery Pack
5. Batteries
6. Tape (optional)
Step 2: Cutting/Tearing the Fabric
Make a small cut in your sheet of fabric. The width of this cut will determine how large the flower will be.
It is easiest to just tear the fabric in order to ensure a straight strip. Grab a hold of either side of your small cut, and rip. This should leave you with one long, straight strip of fabric.
Once you have your strip of fabric, you can place the rest to the side. This is all you will need to make your flower.
It is easiest to just tear the fabric in order to ensure a straight strip. Grab a hold of either side of your small cut, and rip. This should leave you with one long, straight strip of fabric.
Once you have your strip of fabric, you can place the rest to the side. This is all you will need to make your flower.
Step 3: Threading the Needle
Cut an armslength of thread from your spool. Thread this through your needle, then double the tread by connecting each each end. Tie the ends of the needle with a french knot.
Helpgul hint: how to tie a french knot:
If you are unfamiliar with sewing, a french knot is made by doing the following: wrap the end of your thread around your finger (pointer or middle work best), then using your thumb, roll the thread off of your finger and run your nails along the knot created. This is a super simple way to tie up thread ends
Helpgul hint: how to tie a french knot:
If you are unfamiliar with sewing, a french knot is made by doing the following: wrap the end of your thread around your finger (pointer or middle work best), then using your thumb, roll the thread off of your finger and run your nails along the knot created. This is a super simple way to tie up thread ends
Step 4: Sewing the Flower Pt. 1
Now, take your needle and begin sewing with a simple stitch through your strip of fabric. You want to start this stick fairly close to the end of the fabric, and about .25" away from the bottom. A longer needle is easiest for this project, because you will simply be making this same stitch down the entire piece of fabric.
As you add more fabric to the needle, you will notice it start to bunch up like in the second picture. Once your entire needle is covered in thread, you can lightly pull it through.
Your flower should look like the third picture after you've stitched down the entire strip.
As you add more fabric to the needle, you will notice it start to bunch up like in the second picture. Once your entire needle is covered in thread, you can lightly pull it through.
Your flower should look like the third picture after you've stitched down the entire strip.
Step 5: Sewing the Flower Pt. 2
In order to create an even flower, it's important to pull the fabric along the thread in order to flatten it again. It doesn't have to be completely flat, just enough so that we have more control over how it gathers in the center.
Now, grab hold of not-knotted end of the flower with one hand, and then pull the thread through. This should create a more orderly and neat flower like the one in the fourth picture.
Now, grab hold of not-knotted end of the flower with one hand, and then pull the thread through. This should create a more orderly and neat flower like the one in the fourth picture.
Step 6: Sewing the Flower Pt. 3
Take the two ends and join them together. Put the needle through the knotted side of the strip and pull. This will complete the flower in the center as shown in picture 2.
Using the same stitch as before, join both ends of the fabric and sew outwards. Then use this stitch again to sew back in towards the center of the flower.
Now the fabric flower is completely circular and will stay together.
Using the same stitch as before, join both ends of the fabric and sew outwards. Then use this stitch again to sew back in towards the center of the flower.
Now the fabric flower is completely circular and will stay together.
Step 7: Applying the Button/LED
To add the button, take your needle through one of the holes and pull. Now, continue to sew on the button like you would on a shirt or pants.
As you sew the button, pick up the extra fabric around it with your needle as in picture 2. This will pull the center towards your button and make it even.
Once you feel as though your button is on evenly, pull the needle through to the back and tie off your thread. Cut the thread off your needle.
Now you're done sewing!
Now for the LED!
Test your LED to make sure it works before putting it through the fabric.
To put your LED through the flower, feed the legs through the holes in the buttons. You may have to work at it a little to get them through the fabric. It's easiest to push them through places where the fabric is still thin.
Be sure to either mark/remember which is the positive end and the negative end of your LED once you put it through the flower.
As you sew the button, pick up the extra fabric around it with your needle as in picture 2. This will pull the center towards your button and make it even.
Once you feel as though your button is on evenly, pull the needle through to the back and tie off your thread. Cut the thread off your needle.
Now you're done sewing!
Now for the LED!
Test your LED to make sure it works before putting it through the fabric.
To put your LED through the flower, feed the legs through the holes in the buttons. You may have to work at it a little to get them through the fabric. It's easiest to push them through places where the fabric is still thin.
Be sure to either mark/remember which is the positive end and the negative end of your LED once you put it through the flower.
Step 8: Soldering the LED
Take your soldering iron and a bit of solder and connect the appropriate wires:
The long leed is the positive end and will connect to the red wire of the battery pack.
The short leed is the negative end and will connect to the black wire of the battery pack.
The long leed is the positive end and will connect to the red wire of the battery pack.
The short leed is the negative end and will connect to the black wire of the battery pack.
Step 9: Finished!
Now you have a finished LED Fabric Flower!
You can use a touch of tape to stick the flower over the battery pack so it's hidden.
The possibilites for this project are really endless! I'll list some variations that can be made on it on the next page.
You can use a touch of tape to stick the flower over the battery pack so it's hidden.
The possibilites for this project are really endless! I'll list some variations that can be made on it on the next page.
Step 10: Variations
This project can have many different vairations made on it. I'll list a few, but I encourage you to change up and use this simple design to fit your needs
1. Simple variations can be made in the size of fabric used to make the flower. The width of your flower determines how large it will be in the end. If you are looking to create multiple flowers, try varying the width of the fabric each time to give it a more natural look.
2. The button in the middle of the flower can be replaced with many different things, such as sequins.
3. The battery pack can be replaced by a smaller, simple battery. This can be done by attaching the LED ends to one side of the battery, then simply taping them down with electrical tape. With a smaller battery pack, this flower can be attached to hair pins, bracelets, rings, anything!
1. Simple variations can be made in the size of fabric used to make the flower. The width of your flower determines how large it will be in the end. If you are looking to create multiple flowers, try varying the width of the fabric each time to give it a more natural look.
2. The button in the middle of the flower can be replaced with many different things, such as sequins.
3. The battery pack can be replaced by a smaller, simple battery. This can be done by attaching the LED ends to one side of the battery, then simply taping them down with electrical tape. With a smaller battery pack, this flower can be attached to hair pins, bracelets, rings, anything!