beaded flower memo hoop

Click image to enlarge

Designer:  Lisa Storms

I wanted to make something really fun to display my favorite photos of the moment.  A memo board seemed like the perfect idea so I could just tuck little photos and cheerful things in and out as the mood strikes.  The Premium Cut-Line Trimmer was handy in cutting thin fabric strips for a beaded flower memo board made from an embroidery hoop.  The trick to perfect strips is by starting the trimmer blade at the center of the line you are cutting.  Cut up to the top and then pull blade down to the bottom.  This avoids any snagging of the fabric. 

Difficulty rating

Instructions (Print version)

1.  Trim six ¼" strips of pink fabric using Premium Cut-Line Trimmer.  Begin cutting with trimmer blade at center of cutting line.  Cut up to the top and then down to the bottom.  Pull off any stray threads from fabric.  It's okay for them to fray a bit.  It just adds to the handmade feel.

2.  Take outer hoop off embroidery hoop and place orange fabric on interior hoop.  Place the six pink strips onto the hoop beginning with two crossing directly in the middle.  Then place the others on each side to easily line up strips.  Place outer loop back over interior loop and tighten.  Trim off excess fabric using Pinking Shears.  Be sure to leave an inch or two excess.
3.  Measure around hoop using measuring tape from 12-in-1 Sewing Multi-Tool.  Divide total inches by number of petals and mark that distance around outside of hoop.  My hoop was 23" and I wanted 8 petals, so I marked every 2-7/8" being sure to straddle the first set of marks on each side of hoop screw closure.

4.  Drill hole at each mark.  If fabric catches, have someone hold the fabric and hoop down for you to drill right through.

5.  Trace hoop onto chipboard and cut out with Fingertip Craft Knife on Craft Mat.  Set aside until end.
6.  Cut eight lengths of wire using Wired Pliers and string on beads.  I used 17 beads for each petal in a pattern. 
7.  Feed one side two different petal wires through one hole in hoop.  Be sure wire does not curl to the front and poke hole in fabric.  Feed other side of petal wire through next hole and pull together inside under hoop.  Twist wire together to tighten and secure.  Continue with all petals.
8.  To create embroidery floss flowers, punch scalloped circle with ¼" hole punched at center.  Tape embroidery floss onto back of circle and thread through embroidery needle.
9.  Pull thread up through center hole, out to outer edge, and back down and through again, being sure to catch thread on each scallop.  Continue until all scallops are filled.

10.  Tape a different embroidery floss to back of circle and thread up through center hole.  Weave floss around previous floss back and forth.  Pull thread tightly every once in a while to gather floss.  Continue until desired width and then thread back to center going under woven portion and add bead.  Thread back to bottom and tape to finish.

11.  Sew flowers (or adhere with fabric glue) to hoop.

12.  Once hoop is completed, glue around back of hoop using Easy Squeeze Glue Gun and adhere previously cut chipboard circle to secure fabric and create a finished back.

Supply List:

Fiskars Brands: Premium Cut-Line Trimmer
http://www.fiskarscrafts.com/tools/t_premiumcrafterstrimmer.aspx

Fiskars Brands:  XL Squeeze Punch - Seal of Approval
http://www.fiskarscrafts.com/tools/t_sealofapproval-xl.aspx

Fiskars Brands:  L Squeeze Punch - Seal of Approval
http://www.fiskarscrafts.com/tools/t_sealofapproval-l.aspx

Fiskars Brands: Craft Hand Drill
http://www.fiskarscrafts.com/tools/t_craft-hand-drill.aspx

Fiskars Brands: Pinking Shears
http://www.fiskarscrafts.com/tools/t_pinking-shears.aspx

Fiskars Brands: 12-in-1 Sewing Multi-Tool
http://www.fiskarscrafts.com/tools/t_12-in-1-multi-tool.aspx

Fiskars Brands:  Fingertip Swivel Knife
http://www.fiskarscrafts.com/tools/t_fingertip-swivel-knife.aspx

Fiskars Brands:  Wired Pliers
http://www.fiskarscrafts.com/tools/t_wired-pliers.aspx

Fiskars Brands:  Easy Squeeze Glue Gun
http://www.fiskarscrafts.com/tools/t_easy-squeeze-glue-gun.aspx

Fiskars Brands:  Hand Punch – 1/4 Inch Circle
http://www.fiskarscrafts.com/tools/t_hand-punch-14-circle.aspx

Other:  7" embroidery hoop, fabric, beads, wire, cardstock, embroidery floss, embroidery needle, tape