String Flowers



Can I make a flower from string, was my first thought when I saw the current challenge at Anything But a Card.  Then I remembered  the woollen flowers I used to make with my Mum, twisting the wool around eight pins which Dad had nailed onto a piece of wood - if you are my age you will probably have had one too!  I remember also getting a swish yellow plastic one in the 70s as well.

I'll post some pics later in the post to show you how I did it, but here is my tag for the challenge (I have not made a tag in absolutely ages!). 


The challenge is to incorporate things that can be tied: twine, ribbon, thread, wire, rope, cording, trim, seam binding, etc.

I am in a bit of a tone on tone mood at the moment, which suited the colours of my twine.

So on the tag I have used:
: hemp for the flowers
: sailing twine for the   curls and button
: string on my spool
: paper string to make the small leaf heads
: a small piece of tape measure ribbon
: seam binding on the base of the tag and to adorn the top. 

I also made some leaves out of muslin died with Vintage Photo Distress Ink but watch when you dry them with a heat gun (they burn very easily!). I added a bit of lace and a handmade button, and some stitching.

The little pair of scissors were in my mother's sewing box.  They have been waiting nearly fifteen years to be used, but I am glad they have now found a home.  The gold was a bit bright so I covered them with gesso and then some ginger alcohol ink.



So to the flowers:


In order to create a little "loom" I cut two circles from card and stuck them together with a little bit of PVA glue.  Roughly divided it up into eight segments and pushed some pins in between the circles.  (I remembered using something similar at an SWRI workshop a couple of years ago!)



Then using the hemp I wound it around the top pin and then the bottom, then over to the next one on the right and then to the next on on the left.  I hope that makes sense!


Then when each pin had two petals I started doing a back stitch around the middle to secure the flower but also to separate the petals.

You can then remove the pins and your flower is "free".  I tied the hemp at the back, but use a bit of PVA as even using my best sailing knots it came undone very easily. 



And here are the two I made first from sailing twine.  They were a little big to put on the tag, so I made smaller ones from hemp.  The one on the right I used "backstitch" for the middle, and the one on the left I wove in and out, but I don't think it looks as neat as without an odd number of petals, you have to jump one now and then.

I hope this all makes sense!  Just email or leave a comment if you need help.  I hope you have a go!

Thanks for looking!  Oh and do pop over to the Anything But a Card Challenge page HERE, as there are some wonderful DT pieces - in particular a gorgeous necklace and an amazing bag and tag.



Comments

Catherine said…
Thanks for this Jennie, it's SUPER COOL! Love Love Love!
Artyjen said…
Ooh lovely tag...and thanks for the tute....will file that away in my brain! ;)
xoxo Sioux
Jennie, simply beautiful tag. Love the colour scheme and the great string flowers. Thank you for sharing the 'how to'. I agree with your sentiment about the necklace and bag/tag combo. have a great week, cheers, Di
Alison said…
Jennie...you are an inspiration!! I love those flowers, & your tag is simply stunning!
Alison xx
What an absolutely fantastic tag - I love all the elements and various fabric textures... and those hemp string flowers are amazing - thanks so much for the tutorial! I also love the sailing twine for the curls, I'm definitely going to look for some - they are just fabulous!
Thanks so much for your visit...
Alison x
WendyK said…
Jennie, i just love this tag, great colours, and layout. Thanks for the flower reminder, and the brilliant tutorial. Must make some now.
Margaret said…
Your tag is absolutely beautiful and I love those flowers! Your tutorial was wonderful too! Thanks so much for joining us at Anything But a Card!
Julia S-W said…
As ever Jennie, a totally beautiful creation with so much attention to detail. I love all the 'tie it up' elements that you've included and those flowers (and the tutorial for them) are just perfect. I haven't seen any others like them and will of course be having a go!! Thanks so much for sharing your technique. Wish I could come and play and learn from you!!
(Thanks for joining us at Anything But A Card again too!)
Juliaxxxx
Christy said…
Those flowers are total awesomeness! LOVE the curly twine sticking out. :) Thanks for joining us at Anything But a Card!!! :) :) :)
Love love love your twine flowers! These would be such fun to make. thank you for the tutorial and the fabulous piece you made which is absolutely perfect for our challenge at Anything But A Card this time.
Dianne said…
Thank you so much for this, I just found my loom to make these flower but couldn't figure out how to do the middle, mess a few up LOL... t is very helpful I can do it now BIG HUGS...
Laurart said…
Just found this and had to have a go straight away! My first one is a bit wonky (LOL) but I am sure it will improve with practice! Thanks so much for sharing such a wonderful tutorial Lots of love from Laura xxxx
Von said…
Well I never what a brill way to make flowers, the hoarder in me say I the "lazy dazy maker" is in the attic lol
Von ♥
sara j said…
The flowers all through your blog are just wonderful...I do so remember this from the late 60's early 70's era. Can't wait to try a few. Thanks so much!!