Button Flowers Redux
Last June, my dear friend Jill taught me how to make button flowers. She learned from her Sister Chris who learned from a friend of hers like 10 years ago. These flowers. They got history. When I originally posted about these flowers I had a few of you ask how to make them and well, I'm just getting around to it now. I decided to add some felt leaves this time, which I really like. I think that it helps to fill out the bouquet a bit more.
Here's what you'll need:
A bowl of buttons. Since you'll be stacking the buttons on top of
eachother, it's a good idea to have a variety of sizes and colors.
24 Gauge 1/4 lb Green Wire
Felt in different colors and sizes
Needle & Embroidery Floss/Thread
Scissors
Start out by cutting off a piece of the wire, approx 16" long (you can make these any size, just double the size you want the end result to be). Fold it in half, so each side is 8" and bend towards each other. Cut varying lenghts for different sizes of flower stems. I think my original bouquet had around a dozen or so stems.
Starting with the smallest button, thread the two open ends of the wire through 2 of the button holes. Repeat with the remaining buttons. Push towards the closed end of the wire as shown in the 2nd photo. Twist the ends of the wire to secure the buttons in place. Continue to twist the wire to the end. There is a device I have from Wild Wire that you attach to the wire, crank & it twists it up all nice & tight for you. I can't find it online, and don't know if it's been discontinued or not, but either method will work.
Next, cut out 2 leaves from small pieces of felt, making sure one is larger than the other. Place the smaller one on top of the larger leaf and stitch through the center to hold in place. Once you have the leaf completed, pierce a hole in the end of the leaf with the bottom of the button flower wire. Slowly move the leaf up the wire to where the button flower is. Place a small dab of glue on the felt to adhere it to the button. And there you have it. A little flower button bouquet. Perfect for Spring!
Have a lovely week everyone. It's been a crazy one here. Let's just say, the newest word in Henry's vocabulary is "puke" and he's done just that about 8 times in the last 12 hours. We are looking forward to a very low key week. Oh, did I tell you? Chris is starting work tomorrow on "Dancing with the Stars!" ha ha ha. I can't wait to hear all the juicy details.
Great post.. such a nice button flowers.thanks for showing us how to make it. i will try it at home to do my own button flowers. thanks again. hope to read more...
-khatie-
Posted by: Flowers Philippines | May 31, 2009 at 11:18 PM
I think it is actually mood elevating site with great report. Yes, you are doing absolutely fine job.
Posted by: immo oost vlaanderen | March 18, 2009 at 12:22 AM
looks like some spam up there :( "acne" links?
Posted by: concerned person | May 06, 2008 at 06:29 PM
i loved this. I first saw it last night and my family and i made a whole bouquet of them today. I could not wait to get it started. My 6 year old especially loved it! Thanks for the great idea.
Posted by: Leslie | May 02, 2008 at 04:25 PM
Great tutorial!
Posted by: Cassi | March 19, 2008 at 03:35 PM
Hello Morgan,
I like your buttonflowers, very nice !
Best regards,
Sonnja
Posted by: Sonnja | July 17, 2007 at 02:02 PM
Who knew an evening together creating button flowers while the boys played XBox would have started such buttonmania? Love the felt leaves! The wire winder thing was purchased at Michael's for the Who Care's Department. You have creativeness clear down (or up?) to your earlobes! Amazing! Love you! j.
Posted by: Jill | March 23, 2007 at 02:32 PM
I love these! great job!
Posted by: Betsy | March 21, 2007 at 07:54 PM
Hi there!
oh I I love these! I have added a link to my craft tutorials blog I hope that's alright.
Thanks Eve
Posted by: eve | March 15, 2007 at 02:57 PM
Ooh...so cute! There's always something to make me happy here.
Posted by: Shannon | March 15, 2007 at 02:13 PM
Hi, I just found your blog and WOW. You certainly have a great panache for putting colors together. I am envious! Thank you for the tutorial, I think I"ll have to whip out the button stash tonight!
cheers!
Posted by: Rebecca | March 15, 2007 at 08:34 AM
Love the addition of the felt leaves. Hope Henry starts feeling better soon. No fun having a sick little boy! Rob had a great time talking to Chris on Saturday night and keeps talking about how much he misses the Moores and what "quality people" you guys are! (Can't you just imagine Rob saying that!)
Posted by: Mandy | March 13, 2007 at 08:21 PM
wow! pretty snazzy. and i hope your little guy feels better soon
Posted by: connie | March 13, 2007 at 04:16 PM
I love you little flowers, I'm going to make some with my daughter over the Easter Holidays - you know those 'I'm bored' moments!
Posted by: Jo | March 13, 2007 at 12:02 PM
Okay, I just discovered your blog and I'm in love. I would marry it if I could. I will be back to absorb every little thing when I have more time! Jen
Posted by: Jen | March 13, 2007 at 11:50 AM
I wish I had more buttons! It's sad to say but all the buttons I own can fit in one hand!
I will be visiting my grandmother in two weeks and I know she has one of those huge glass pickle jar full to the brim of buttons. I wonder if she'll give them up. I'll make some scones for her. She likes scones. :)
Posted by: LeeAnn | March 13, 2007 at 06:29 AM
Cool! Finally, flowers that can survive even our household!
Posted by: Barbara | March 13, 2007 at 12:52 AM
thanks for the how-to I am going to post the hair-clips that I made using your how-to.
Posted by: kate | March 12, 2007 at 08:06 PM
Hi Morgan! I love your site! It makes me smile -- and sometimes feel bad for all the craft supplies that remain unassembled in my dark basement! I'm thinking of doing the buttons for Gretta's room though, she'd love them!
Posted by: Melanie | March 12, 2007 at 06:36 PM
So adorable! Put me on the list to buy the book as well! ;)
Posted by: Deanna (domestic chicky) | March 12, 2007 at 04:48 PM
I cannot believe he is sick AGAIN! Ethan was the same way last year. Poor Henry...and poor you! Life seems to stop when your kid gets sick. Feel better...
Posted by: Kimberly | March 12, 2007 at 04:25 PM
I am invisioning these on totes, pillows and aprons! I'm sure you could do it with some heavy duty thread. So cute - thanks for the instructions! I love the addition of the leaves.
Posted by: Megs | March 12, 2007 at 03:23 PM
Thank you so much for posting these directions! I just love the button flowers and recently got a bunch of old buttons in the mail from my husband's grandma so this will be a perfect project to use some of them in.
Posted by: Darcy | March 12, 2007 at 03:01 PM
What a nice tutorial. We should try these at my house since last time we were at the fabric store Katie slipped three tubes of clearance buttons into the cart.
Posted by: Mama Urchin | March 12, 2007 at 01:55 PM
so cute! i want to hear all about "dancing with the stars" also. i love that show.
Posted by: alison | March 12, 2007 at 01:29 PM