Peony

Most people adore peonies, and they are very popular in wedding arrangements. This felt version is inspired by the coral charm variety, but you can make your peonies in any color you wish. They will be beautiful and always in season!

SUPPLIES

Coral felt

¾˝ × 6˝ strip of yellow or gold felt

Peony template

Scissors

Hot glue gun and glue sticks

STEP 1: Cut the pieces. Follow the peony template to cut out seven small, five medium, and eight large petals.

STEP 2: Cut the felt. Cut slits along one long edge of the gold felt strip, cutting about two-thirds of the way across the strip. Be careful not to cut all the way through the strip.

STEP 3: Roll the felt. Add glue to the bottom (uncut) edge of the gold felt strip and roll it up, working in sections. This will be the center of your peony.

STEP 4: Cut the petals. Cut ½˝-long slits in each petal following the lines on the template. Cut slits in the top and bottom of the small petals, in the top of the medium petals, and in the bottom of the large petals.

STEP 5: Glue the petals. Put a small dot of glue on one side of each slit. Pull the other side over and press it in place on top of the glue. Repeat with all the slits in all the petals. This will give each petal a cupped shape.

STEP 6: Attach the small petals. Add glue to the bottom of a small petal and attach it to the flower center, lining up the bottom of the petal with the bottom of the flower center. Attach two more petals, spacing them evenly around the center. Add the remaining four petals, spacing them evenly.

STEP 7: Attach the medium petals. Add glue to the bottom (uncut) end of a medium petal and attach it to the flower. Add the remaining petals, overlapping them so each one covers about half of the previous petal.

STEP 8: Connect the large petals. Before starting this step, it might help to arrange the petals to get an idea of the spacing. You’re going to glue four petals together in a ring. To do this, add glue to the bottom (cut) right corner of a large petal. Place another large petal on top of the glue, angling it out slightly. Add two more petals this way, then glue the first and last petals together.

STEP 9: Attach the large petals. Apply a generous amount of glue to the center of the piece you made in Step 8 and press the rest of the flower onto it.

STEP 10: Attach the remaining petals. Add the remaining large petals one at a time, evenly spacing them between the previous four petals.

TIP

The center of your flower may be a little smushed after attaching the petals. Use the tip of your scissors to move the stamens around and fluff them back into an upright position.