Fabric Roses – 10 easy DIY tutorials

Because I love roses and I write DIY tutorials, it is inevitable that I will go on creating these rose flower related tutorials –  like how to embroider roses,  How to make roses with ribbons, How to stitch roses and other flowers with ribbon embroidery stitches and then this one, on many ways to make roses with fabric. Making these beautiful roses is no chore; they are a delight to make and look at.  

You can make fabric roses with all kinds of fabrics but the best ones are made with satin, silk, organza, organdy, voile, chiffon and other sheer fabrics. One criterion is that it should not be too bulky, unless you are making felt roses.

1. Simple rose

Cut out chiffon or crepe, satin or net fabric into circles of different sizes – small to big.

Do not worry about the shape of the circles – they need not be so perfect. Use a candle or cigarette lighter to singe the edges of your petals – those circles are your petals.

Sew together these petals – small ones first and then bigger ones.

If you want to add artificila stamens, add it as you sew the first few petals. You can also add pearls or beads in the middle. 

2 Flat Fabric rose

Making this fabric flower is self explanatory. You make varying sizes of circles. Layer them and stitch in place. You should singe the edges with a lighter so that the edges do not fray.

3. Fabric Rose

To make this rose you should cut a 4 inch diameter circle ( for the rosebud in the center) and some petals (18 nos) Cut two sizes of squares of dimensions 2.5 inches ( 12 numbers)  and 1.75 inches ( 6 numbers). Cut the petal shapes from them

Singe the petal edges with light flame. Move quickly. You do not want burnt petals.

Make the bud shape from the circle

Layer the bud with the petal shapes. Each of the petals should be overlapping the previous one. Use a thread to tie the petals at the base.

Continue layering till you get a flower shape

4. Fabric Rose

This is a gathered rose. Take  a 30 inch long piece of fabric of about 4 inch wide

Fold this fabric by the center along the length. Using a hand needle and thread make gathering stitches along the fabric edges (both edges together). Gather the fabric piece and twirl it so that you get a rose shape.

5 Fabric Rose

This is another gathered rose. To make this rose cut a fabric piece which is slightly tapered. You will have to fold a fabric piece of about 4 inches and 10 inches  or more long. Cut the fabric piece tapered as in the picture below.

Make gathering stitches along the base as before and pull to tighten and twirl as you gather

You can also swirl it to look like the rose  in the picture below

Ribbons are great for gathering like this to make a rose flower. You can make other flowers with ribbons as well.Check out the post on making flowers with ribbons for more details.

6. Fabric Rose – rolled

This earthy fabric rose is made using a fabric which frays – like chiffon, lace, thin burlap.

Cut thin strips of about 1″ wide and 12 or more inches long. Fix one end of the strip on the base fabric with needle and thread. Start rolling the strip around this point. As you roll into the rose shape you should also roll the fabric strip on its own. When the rose is made, stitch the end in place with needle and thread. 

7. Fabric rose with organza

This is a very easy fabric made by folding small pieces of organza or other sheer fabrics into petal shapes. To make the petals of this flower take a piece of organza fabric which is twice as wide and long as the petal you want . Fold the fabric lengthwise, edges to the center and then fold it by half. This is your petal.

8 Fabric rose – felt

Draw the above shape on fabric. Cut through the drawn lines. (Do not make marks with contrasting colours unless you are prepared to cut it all out)

Make gathering stitches at the base and gather to form the flower

Find even more different ways to make felt roses here

9 Fabric Rose

To make this flower cut out atleast 9 circles (of any size – I cut 2 inch circles).

Singe the edges with a candle or lighter. If you want the frayed look, leave it as it is.

Fold the circles into a triangular shape. Using a needle and thread attach the shapes triangular tip down, onto a point. The petals will fill your flower easily. 

10. Fabric Rose

And finally, this rose is made by combining two types of petals – this flower has the gathered rose as base and then petals are attached inside.

To make the petals cut several circles.

Fold the circles by half and then make gathering stitches at the base. 

Gather the petals and stitch them to the base. 

Make a rosebud

A rose bud can stand on its own or can be used as the center portion of a rose flower. 

To make a rosebud take a small circle of the fabric. 2.5 inch diameter circle would suffice.

Fold the circle by the center. If you want a rosebud with some bulk you can add some cotton inside this fold. It will make the rosebud look almost original

Now bring one side to the center. Hold in place

Bring the other side overlapping. 

Tie string at the base. 

To make the sepals of the rosebud, cut a green fabric in the shape given below. Insert the rosebud into the hole.

Tie green tape or a green fabric strip over the stem fixing the sepals . You can use glue to fix everything in place.

Another option is to make it as it is done with ribbons. Checkout the post on ribbon roses for more details.

You can cut a semicircular piece of felt and roll to make the bud.

Here is one project just right for all those scraps you have been collecting- you can make perfect fabric roses even with the smallest of fabric pieces. Are you convinced to start making roses, one way or the other?

You can make flowers of other types as well with fabric. Check out the tutorial to make bougainvillea, bouvardia, morning glory and other flowers easily with fabric.

Related posts: 10 ways to draw and paint a rose.

Different ways to make rosettes.