Directions for Fabric Roses

An elegant handmade fabric rose can be used as a decorative element in clothing or home furnishing items. A velvet hat can be enlivened with a grouping of roses or a single velvet rose attached to the brim. Fabric roses can be sewn to an adult's or child's cardigan sweater for a creative touch, and roses can also be used to decorate throw pillows, napkin rings and the edges of tablecloths. A hand-sewing technique is used to make the roses.

• 1

  Cut a long strip of fabric to measure 3 inches by 36 inches. Fold the strip in half lengthwise and iron to secure the fold line.

• 2

  Cut a 3-foot length of carpet thread and thread it through the needle, knotting one end of the thread.

• 3

  Sew large 1/4-inch straight basting stitches along the cut fabric strip edges, 1/4 inch from the edge.

• 4

  Pull the carpet thread firmly, gathering the fabric strip to measure 17 1/2 inches in length.

• 5

  Fold the strip end closest to the needle at a 45-degree angle and secure it as the rose center with three small stitches made with the needle and thread.

• 6

  Coil the fabric strip around the rose center, securing it with small stitches every inch with three small stitches until only 3 inches of the fabric strip remain.

• 7

  Fold the final strip end to the back of the rose at a 45-degree angle. Stitch five small stitches and knot to complete the fabric rose.