• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • HOME
  • DIY PROJECTS
    • baby
    • bags, totes & purses
    • gifts
    • harry potter
    • kids
    • printables
    • women
    • SEASONAL & HOLIDAY
      • winter
      • spring
      • summer
      • fall
      • gifts
    • HOUSE
      • decor
      • furniture
      • house projects
      • knock offs
      • rooms & tours
    • GIFTS
      • gift ideas
      • gift basket
  • PARTIES
    • pretty parties
    • pretty showers
    • party bars, buffets & stations
    • party DIYs
    • grazing platters
  • RECIPES
    • brunch
    • dessert & treats
    • drink recipes
    • main dishes
    • paleo recipes
    • salads
    • sides, dips & sauces
    • FREEZER MEALS
  • ABOUT
    • about us
    • contact us
    • disclosures
  • Sponsors

kojodesigns

color my summer tutorial- purple dahlia headband

May 6, 2011

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

One of my very favorite things about summer is the ushering in of SUNDRESS WEATHER! Woohoo! Now, I know that not all of you share my view that sundresses are the Most. Fabulous. Invention. Ever (ahem, Jord). But hear me out on this one- pair this one uber-functional piece of clothing with accessories and sandles and you are ready for your day- glorious!

Even if you’re still not on board, you have to admit that there is an abundance of adorable baby girl summer attire in your daughter’s closet that you’ve just been waiting to pull out! And what better way to complete that darling summer outfit than a cute as can be dahlia headband?

About a year ago, Megan from Not Martha shared this genius felt dahlia tutorial that immediately landed on my To Make list. However, I didn’t get around to attempting it until a recent car trip. And I didn’t have any glue on hand.

So this is my sewn version.

To make one too, you’ll need-
-a 9×12 sheet of wool felt
-a stretchy headband (I found this one at Michael’s [random, right?], but I’ve also had luck finding plain baby headbands at Target and at Dollar Tree)
-sew on pearl beads
-invisible thread and needle

1. Cut out a whole pile of wool felt petals in three different sizes. As suggested by Not Martha in the tutorial for the glued version, I cut my felt into a few 2″ rows, a couple 1.5″ rows and a couple 1″ rows (and used the leftover to make my circle flower ‘base’). Then, I cut the rows into rectangles and then made ‘petal-ish’ shapes. It’s not an exact science- just freehand it. Be sure to make a point at the top of each petal, though, if you want your finished flower to be dahlia-esque.

2. Fold the bottom of the flower in to make a pinched petal.

3. Secure the pinched petal to the circle base (my circle was about 2″ wide) by handstitching with invisible thread. It worked best to stitch across the base of the petal horizontally and then secure with a vertical stitch as well. I usually did one more stitch just for kicks, so three stitches per flower.

4. Continue around the entire base, using your biggest petals.

5. Repeat entire process for the middle layer, using your middle-sized petals.

6. Finish off petal-ing by handstitching the smallest petals into a top layer. There should be only a small spot in the center that isn’t covered in petals.

7. In that uncovered center spot, stitch a pile of pearl beads (I think I used about 20 total). For full coverage, some of the beads will be stacked on top of each other. Oh, and the back of your flower base will be a mess of invisible thread- haha!

8. Sew around the perimeter of the felt base, securing the flower to the headband. Sew threw the petals- if they aren’t stitched in place, they have the tendency to flip up and get all backwards.

9. Pair this new headband with something summer-y! So adorable!

Be sure to also check out the purple goodness by Tara from Easy at Delia’s today!

Uncategorized 24 Comments

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Suzanne says

    May 6, 2011 at 12:43 pm

    What a beautiful flower. I just planted some dahlias in our yard! As pretty as the flower is, it dwarfs in comparison to the other beautiful blossom (your baby girl) in your post!

    Reply
  2. Erin A says

    May 6, 2011 at 1:30 pm

    These are SO beautiful!!! I love all 3 versions, just gorgeous! (And I TOTALLY agree with you about sundresses.)

    Your MIL will have an amazing time in Scotland, I'm so jealous of her! ๐Ÿ™‚ Can't wait to hear how it went.

    My nursery has been temporarily put on hold as I was having lots of problems with pre-term labor last week, and am on bed rest this week! ๐Ÿ™ But the top of my to-do list is baby headbands, one thing I can still do seated and without my sewing machine ๐Ÿ™‚ So I'll be adding this version to my list! Thanks, perfect timing!!

    Have a great weekend!

    Erin
    LTC

    Reply
  3. Justcallmeblessed says

    May 6, 2011 at 2:08 pm

    I lOVE this! Im going to make at least one of these for a pillow on my bedding make-over! How cute would one of these be on a pillow?!!! Im going to link to this tutorial! Thanks!

    http://www.justcallmeblessed.blogspot.com

    Reply
  4. Jessica says

    May 6, 2011 at 2:21 pm

    Since my girls won't leave headbands on, I'm thinking this would be super cute made into a barrette for me! I'm picturing a low side ponytail…just something to glam up the mom's go-to hairstyle.

    Reply
  5. Kimiko says

    May 6, 2011 at 2:27 pm

    Oh, how I DEEPLY LOVE that headband. And, if you made it in the car, does that mean you took your tutorial pictures in the car? If so, I love that part, too.

    Reply
  6. MaryJanes and Galoshes says

    May 6, 2011 at 3:10 pm

    love the ones with the jewels in the centers! I've made the original from Not Martha, so fun. But I love your twist on the style and sparkle!

    Taylor

    Reply
  7. kirstin & jordan says

    May 6, 2011 at 3:39 pm

    hahaha-kimiko, yep, took all of the pics in the car. I feel like the quality is pretty shoddy, but what do you do, right??? and it makes for a funny story. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  8. kirstin & jordan says

    May 6, 2011 at 3:39 pm

    hahaha-kimiko, yep, took all of the pics in the car. I feel like the quality is pretty shoddy, but what do you do, right??? and it makes for a funny story. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  9. Delia says

    May 6, 2011 at 3:58 pm

    oooh I love the bejeweled white one! Nice job Kirstin. Did you really do this on a car trip. You are crazy talented. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  10. Amy says

    May 6, 2011 at 4:52 pm

    So cute! Guess I'm adding this to my to-do list! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  11. Steph @ Crafting in the Rain says

    May 6, 2011 at 7:55 pm

    So pretty! I've got a friend who loves dahlias, so I'll have to make her one ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  12. Justine/Sewcountrychick says

    May 10, 2011 at 3:51 am

    I love your blog! I have to try this flower. Your baby makes me want another one!

    Reply
  13. Justine/Sewcountrychick says

    May 10, 2011 at 3:52 am

    This is so precious. nothing cuter than adorable babies who wear giant flower headbands. makes me want another. Number 4 is almost 2..

    Reply
  14. CraftCrave says

    May 14, 2011 at 3:53 am

    Just a quick note to let you know that a link to this post will be placed on CraftCrave today [14 May 02:15am GMT]. Thanks, Maria

    Reply
  15. pinkapplecache says

    September 29, 2011 at 6:15 pm

    Yes! Something without glue!!! I just started my own little business and bought a bunch of fabric for my Christmas collection that WILL not singe… so I wanted to make another kind of flower and all the tutorials I've found use glue – which I'm determined not to do if I can help it ๐Ÿ™‚ This is SO great! Thanks heaps!

    Reply
  16. pinkapplecache says

    September 29, 2011 at 6:17 pm

    I so tickled to find this. I've been looking for something to make for Christmas since I bought a bunch of fabric that didn't end up working for my singed flowers and everyone seems to use a TON of glue… tacky. Thrilled to pieces and can't wait to try it. Looks rather time consuming though!

    Reply
  17. paddycake party says

    July 19, 2012 at 7:41 pm

    i heart these. they are gorgeous. I will have to try…

    Reply
    • Kirstin says

      July 19, 2012 at 8:34 pm

      They are not low maintenance, but SO CUTE! ๐Ÿ™‚ Send a pic over if you try it. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  18. Ina says

    October 31, 2012 at 1:31 am

    Beautiful! Do you think I can make one for a cushion?

    Reply
    • Kirstin says

      October 31, 2012 at 3:23 pm

      absolutely- bigger petals and a little more time and this would totally be a cushion!

      Reply
  19. laney says

    August 10, 2013 at 12:11 am

    could you make these from any fabric or must it be something thick like felt?

    Reply
    • Kirstin says

      August 10, 2013 at 9:09 pm

      Laney, I bet you could try other fabrics, especially ones that don’t fray. The drape will be different, but I think it’ll still look good?

      Reply
  20. Lara says

    August 15, 2014 at 1:36 pm

    These are beautiful! Going to make some to attach to beautiful crocheted hats as well as canvas wall art for my 19 year old baby’s room . Thanks for a great idea.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. driftwood wreaths says:
    December 3, 2015 at 5:35 am

    […] added linen flowers at each corner (I essentially followed this same flower making process, but used linen instead of feltย as my fabric and used hot glue instead of […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Copyright © 2023 · kojodesigns · Design by Bloom

Copyright © 2023 ยท Darling on Genesis Framework ยท WordPress ยท Log in