Lapel Posie Tutorial for St. Patrick’s Day

This tutorial is perfect for a teen or preteen to make for teachers and friends.  It is also a great project ot make in mass for a large group or tag sale. 

How to make a St. Patrick’s Day Lapel Posie

Makes 20 – total cost $2.00 (or 10 cents each), because I had tags and yarn (and everything else) on hand.

Materials:

• Small bunch of small white flowers (or shamrocks)
• Fat Quarter – cotton print of your choice – cut into 4″ squares
• Tulle - cut into 3.5″ squares
• Knitting yarn in coordinating color
• Sewing machine threaded with coordinating thread
• Scissors
• Iron/Ironing board
• Chopstick
• Wire cutters
• Manila Tag
• Straight Pin

1.  I used a ruler to mark a 4″ grid on my fat quarter.  I used a light pencil line to mark the grid.  Then, I used pinking shears to cut apart the 4″ squares.

I got my flowers at Jo-Anns for 50 cents (on half price sale) and my fat quarter for 99 cents (also on sale). 

2.  Fold the square in half right sides together (on the diagonal) and stitch one side.

3.  Leave the tails long, so you can securely knot the strings (to keep the seam from unravelling.), then trim threads close to the fabric.

Don’t do like I did and use two differnt color threads…..

4.  Cut the tip off the point (so it will look nice when you turn it right side out).

5.  Turn to right side. Use a chopstick to poke out the tip.  Center the seam down the front and press flat with an iron.

I really, really wish I had of staying away from the black bobbin thread….

6.  Cut your tulle into 3.5″ squares.  I used my regular sissors and eyeballed it. I did not use a ruler….

I used extra fancy tulle (hand dyed) from my stash, but any tulle will do. 

7.  Cut the flower bunch into groups.  Be sure to use wire cutters and not your sewing scissors.  yes, I know it is tempting, but don’t do it. I cut my flowers about 4″ – 3.5 ” long. 

8.  Gather the tulle around the flowers (kind of like you wrap flowers in newspaper…)

9.  Stuff the flower/tulle combination into the fabric pocket.

Fluff and adjust it to make it look good.

10.  Tie center of the bunch with knitting yard.  I used chennile and cotton thread.  Both looked good.

11.  Decorate tag with green sharpie (or marker/colored pencile of your choice).

Be sure to leave room to pin on your posie!

12.  Use the straight pen to poke two holes into the middle of the tag.

It is easier to pin the Posie to the tag, if the holes are already there.

13.  Pin the posie to the tag with the straight pin.

Your little gift is all done.

Note: One fat quarter will make 20 posies, but I needed 3 bushes of flowers, instead of 2. So, be sure to count your flower groups when you shop.