How To: Felt Spring Leaves Brooch

As promised, I've got a leafy tutorial to share with you guys today: how to make a brooch decorated with a trio of felt leaves.

These brooches are a slightly updated version of a design I used to sell in my shop years ago. They're quite quick and easy to make but I think they look rather stylish!

 

I've sewn my brooches in spring greens, but you could use orange/red/yellow on a brown background to make an autumnal version. Here's a crafty flashback to some I made many moons ago:

To make one green leaf brooch you will need:

The templates provided at the bottom of this post
Dark green felt
Three lighter shades of green felt (one for each leaf shape)
Dark green sewing thread
Brooch clasp
Pins and a sewing needle
Sewing scissors (embroidery scissors are perfect for cutting out small shapes)

 

1. Use the templates provided to cut out the following felt pieces: two dark green circles and three leaves, each in a different shade of green.

 

2. Hold or pin the three leaves onto one of the felt circles, and sew them in position with backstitch and dark green thread. I stitched the central (straight or slightly curving) lines first to secure each leaf then added the outer stitching.

Be careful when positioning the leaves that the inside edge (as marked on the template) of each leaf is on the inside as the leaves are not symmetrical.

3. Decorate the leaves with more backstitching. I stitched four or five lines on each side of the leaves, varying their position slightly to create an organic look. This is a time when slightly wonky stitching looks great!

Your leaves should now look something like this:

 

4. Add a brooch clasp to the second (undecorated) circle. Use a double thickness of dark green sewing thread to sew the clasp securely in place, slightly above the centre of the circle.

 

5. Place the two circles together (wrong sides together), so the leaves are positioned how you want them. Use more dark green thread and sew around the edge of the circle with running stitch, flush with the outside edge of the leaves. Finish your stitching neatly at the back. 

 

Your finished brooch will look something like this:

 

Click here to view the template sheet in another tab or window. Make sure you're viewing the image at full size, then print it at 100%.

This tutorial is for non commercial use only: you can use it to make as many leafy brooches as you want for yourself or as gifts, but please don't make any for sale. You may borrow a few photos if you want to blog about this project, but remember to credit me and link back to the original source, and do not reproduce my entire tutorial on your site. Thanks!

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