how to make a t-shirt flower

momade circle flowers
so many o' you have asked for help in makin' flowers from your own leftover bits 'n pieces that i thought i'd try explainin' the easiest ones ever....the ones i make outta old t-shirts. they're so easy that though i make 'em all the time, i never even considered includin' them in the directions i have been puttin' together. i often forget that sometimes the simplest thing is best to start with - it makes you feel so successful you are more tempted to tackle the more difficult.

all you need for these sweet flowers is any old t-shirt - the softer the better - some scissors, patterns for your circles - or the ability to draw somethin' close to a circle - and a needle and thread.

the flowers can be any size but it's better to start small and then make bigger ones once you have your technique down. just lay your circle pattern on the old t-shirt 'n cut out a circle and then one slightly smaller and then one slightly smaller than that one and keep doing this until you feel you can't go any smaller (if you email me at mojackson at mac dot com i'll send you some circles to get you started).

stack your t-shirt circles in a pile with the largest on the bottom and then stitch a big X smack dab in the middle.

you can stop here if you want but if you want yours to be fluffier, slice into the stitched stack about every half inch or closer. to fluff 'em up, just rub your hand over the top real fast....or if you are real darin', just dampen your bloom slightly and pitch it in the dryer for five minutes or so....when you take it out it will be oh so fluffy and fabulous.

once you are done you can tack on somethin' green as a leaf - some ribbon or any fabric cut in any shape to resemble a leaf. if you so desire, you can stitch a tad o' yellow or a button in the middle.

now...what should you do with your fabulous flowers? hot glue it on a barrette or safety pin....or make a big batch 'n string 'em together for a garland...stitch a few onto your bodysnatchers shirt (if stitched together well they'll look bloomier after each cycle!)...the possiblities for these momade blooms are endless! and be sure to let your little ones make some too...it's a perfect way to introduce the joys o' stitchin' to them.