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Lesson 3.1

Creating Fabric Flowers: Petal Preparation and Composition

In this lesson, you will begin creating your composition with delicate fabric flowers. You will learn how to cut petals in different sizes, round their edges, and arrange them on the mounted fabric. After pinning each flower in position, you will sew beads into its centre and explore how to balance several flowers within the design.

Materials to Prepare

  • Embroidery frame with mounted fabric

  • Fabric for the petals in your chosen colours

  • Small scissors with curved blades

  • Pins

  • Sewing needle and thread

  • Beads for the flower centres

  • Tea light and a heatproof surface, if using fabric suitable for heat sealing

Learning Outcomes


By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  • Cut fabric petals in different sizes.

  • Shape rounded petal edges.

  • Choose an edge-finishing method appropriate to your fabric.

  • Arrange petals into flowers and pin them in position.

  • Sew beads into the centres to secure the flowers.

  • Create a balanced arrangement of several floral elements.

Your Practice


Cut your chosen fabric into pieces of different sizes, then round the edges with small scissors to form petals.


The demonstration uses a candle to finish the edges. Only use this method with fabric suitable for heat sealing: natural silk does not melt-seal and can burn. Test a scrap first and work over a heatproof surface.

Arrange the prepared petals into flowers on your mounted fabric and secure them temporarily with pins. Choose beads for the centres and sew them in place, catching the petal layers securely.


Repeat to create several flowers, adjusting their size and placement to form a harmonious composition.

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