Cute clutch with fabric flower

I started this project a couple of weeks ago and finally got back on my sewing machine to finish it off this weekend. I don't have a lot of sewing experience really - so far I've made a couple of simple tote bags and aprons. Moving onto zippers seemed a little scary, but I found a great tutorial for making a gathered clutch bag over at Noodlehead with clear step by step instructions and lots of helpful photos.

I thought my clutch looked a little plain, so I stitched up a dotty fabric flower to add a finishing touch. Want to know how? Let me show you...

How to make a fabric flower

You will need: some fabric, needle, thread and a button. 

You'll need to cut out some circles from your chosen fabric. How many will depend on how many petals you want your flower to have. I used 8, each measuring 7.5cm in diameter - I used a ramekin as a template.

Take a fabric circle, fold it it half and then in half again. Tie a knot at the end of your thread. Working from right to left, make a couple of short stitches about a third and two thirds of the way across the round edge, passing through all layers of the fabric. Repeat with each of the remaining fabric circles.

Once all your petals are on, pull your thread to close up the space in the centre of the flower. Stitch on your button and secure the thread on the back of the flower. There you have it - a quick and easy way to use up fabric scraps and add a pretty finishing touch to sewing and crafty projects.