Ever made these rolled flowers from fabric scraps that seem to be everywhere? Me neither, but there's always a first time! And there's a story here I thought I'd share with you. If you decide to let the world know (and even your neighbors who have never seen your website) about your crafty tendencies, just realize that you will get phone calls like the one I got yesterday at 4pm on a dark rainy afternoon:
Hi Sara?
Yes, Hi Miri, how are you?
Great, thanks. Did your husband tell you the we've been looking for you all day? You see we're about to set the tables for the Sheva Brachas and Rachel said we should just buy simple dinner ware and have you add your amazing touch. It will really make the evening something special...you know we just can't do it without you.
Oh, I see. But you know I need something to work with. And when will the guests be arriving? 7:30? Okay. How many tables? 16? What colors are the dishes and tablecloth? White and gold? Okay.......hmmmm.....so let's use the glass vases and I'll come up with something to decorate them. I have to take a look around and see what I have.
Okay, thanks so much Sara!
So I took a look around. Gold ribbon, yes. Some gold flowers ready made. Yes. But really how about something just a bit nicer, after all, even though this is last minute and not exactly what I had planned for the rest of the day, it is indeed a mitzvah to make the bride and groom happy at one of the festive meals after the wedding. And then I thought, hey maybe now's the time to try those rolled flowers. And I have that bag of fabric scraps that my neighbor the seamstress almost threw out.....and thus this project was born!
In case you're wondering how to make these, well its quite simple. You take a strip of fabric, say about 2" wide, fold the fabric in half width-wise, tie a knot in one end (the center of the flower) and start rolling, twisting the fabric as you go, and gluing with hot glue where needed. Messy is good, raw edges are good, and with heavier fabric you can make a more folded look, which is nice too. Just try to make them look not too controlled, which mine are....gotten loosen up a bit for this one! I added some corduroy leaves cut with pinking sheers, and some pearls in the center, together with a single gold sequin. And, as it turns out, when you tear polyester satin fabric, it nicely curls at the edges, and you have some great ready made ribbon- not perfect, but just fine for a last minute creation. Who would have thought?
I should note, though these flowers are quick to make, it's not that quick if you need to make multiples. I made what I had time for, and filled in with the ready made gold flowers, and the whole simple idea still took about 3 1/2 hours. (Just tying each bow around the vase and attaching the flowers with a straight pin takes time!) At 7:30 after arriving home with the little ones, who came along for the adventure, I was happy to hear that my husband made it back into town in time to go to the party himself. Phew, now at least I don't have to try and whip up that dinner that didn't get made on account of those centerpieces made on a dime!
