DIY Network

Doily Flowers and Fabric Vines Make some fabulous faux foliage. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-602

Grow a great look with doilies and fabric.

Only Mother Nature can make a flower – but you can craft fun fakes from doilies with Michele Beschen. The B. Original host shows how to wire together an assortment of doilies to make retro-inspired flowers, then lets them bloom from vines made form fabric and foam.

Use the doily flowers wherever you need an artificial bloom with some personality. Or, combine them with fabric vines and Michele Beschen's vase ideas to create her fabulous flower wall. Scroll down to get started.

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E

Doily Flowers and Fabric Vines

Materials:

green fabric, assorted prints and shades
poly foam backer rod, 3/8" thick
sewing machine or needle and thread
assortment of crocheted doilies
thin wire
decorative buttons

• Select a variety of fabrics in different shades and patterns of green and cut strips of fabric 2" wide by 5' long.

• Cut a length of poly foam backer rod (figure A) the same length as the fabric. This flexible, light, cheap material is available in the window or weatherstripping area of any home improvement or hardware store.

• Wrap a fabric strip around the rod. Stitch a seam right next to the foam; if sewing on a machine, use a zipper foot to get as close as possible to the foam (figure B).

• Trim the excess material about 1/4" from the seam. To give the vine some texture, manipulate it slightly fray the cut edges.

• Michele Beschen topped her vines with flowers made from crocheted doilies. Painted, artificial and fresh flowers also look good with the vines. Look for doilies at thrift or dollar stores.

• Cut a length of craft wire about 1' long. Thread one end of the wire through one corner of a doily and create loose stitches around the doily (figure C).

• Pull the wire gently to slightly crumple the doily.

• Repeat the process with more doilies in different sizes. Layer a few smaller doilies on top of a larger one, and stitch in place at the center with craft wire. Leave a small loop of wire at the back of the flower for hanging (figure D).

• Finish off the flower with a large, colorful button in the center of the top doily. Bend and form the petals to create the flower shape

• For a different look, pull the stem from an artificial flower, add a length of wire to the back of the flower and wire it to the center of a doily. Apply some fabric glue to the back of the flower and scrunch the doily against it to make the doily look like an extension of the flower (figure E).

• For very large doilies, fold them into thirds and loosely stitch with string or wire to create a tulip look (figure F). Or, roll doilies up together to create a tight bud (figure G).

Figure F

Figure G

See how Michele Beschen shows off her doily flowers in a wall-sized arrangement.