Welcome to a little creating. This post is going to show you how to make a Felt Flower Fairy, even if you’re a complete beginner. We’ll go through step by step instructions and you’ll be able to download a printable copy and template.
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We’ve always loved fairies in our house. I think my obsession started when I received Flower Fairies of the Winter by Cecily Mary Barker as a gift when I was small. It was a different cover back then with this picture on the front cover. Since then my daughter, now a similar age to when I received the book is also a fairy lover. Over the years we’ve collected Ambrosius Fairies but we wanted to be able to create our own. Get ready to learn the simple techniques to make your own below.
Felt Flower Fairy: What You Need & Tips
- Template – download free instructions and template
- Felt – check the softness. I’m UK based and like Hobbycraft felt as it feels lovely and soft and there is a good range of colours to choose from
- Scissors – I use fabric scissors to make sure they cut through the felt well
- Pins – these aren’t essential but they do make holding the template in place on the felt when you cut
- Thread – you can go for a complementary colour to your felt or decide on a contrast! I always aim to use Gutermann thread. A couple of reasons – firstly, my Nan always did and she said the quality was very good (never disagree with my Nan). Secondly, because all thread isn’t created equal (Nan’s right). Especially, if you are doing this project as or with a beginner sewer you don’t want cheap thread that is going to snag or rip when you’re using it. You could use embroidery skeins – I’d use no more than 1 or 2 strands.
- Needle – I tend to use my embroidery needles for these fairies but the felt is pretty forgiving and most needles will do. Go for a larger eye if sight is a consideration as the felt can handle it.
- Needle threader (optional) – my daughter has become my needle threader! You can often get small needle threaders. If you are someone who’s hands shake like mine do then something a little more robust, like this one, to hold onto can be helpful. This type of needle threader you place the metal loop through the eye of the needle. Then insert your thread through the wide hole of the metal loop. Gently pull the loopback through the needle and the thread will follow.
- Bead (for head) – mine are about 18mm in diameter but anything from 15mm to 25mm would work. I use different coloured beads for different skin tones but you can always use an untreated wooden bead and colour the bead in using acrylic pens to match the colour you would like.
- Smaller beads (x2 for hands – optional)
- Embellishments (optional)
- Pipe cleaner
- Felt for hair – roving or yarn
- Pencil/ Sharpie
- Stuffing
- Glue gun/ PVA – A simple, corded one will work well. I prefer a cordless glue gun and if you do a lot of crafting it might be a worthwhile investment. Lots of cordless glue guns are still in the traditional glue gun shape. Although a little pricier, I prefer the precision of the BOSCH one. You use it more like holding a pen. I put down a metal tin lid underneath it so that I can just put it down when I’m not using (you haven’t got to try and stand it up). It also heats up and is ready to use in 15 seconds.
Felt Flower Fairy Step by Step Instructions
Below you will find step by step instructions. Download the free instructions and template to get images with each stage of the make.
- Trace over and cut out ‘dress’ and ‘bottom’ templates.
- Pin template to felt and cut out – set aside.
- Fold pipe cleaner in half.
- Insert folded end of pipe cleaner into bead head and leave about 1cm sticking out the top of the head.
- Fold dress in half and make a small slit near the neckline big enough to fit the width of two pipe cleaners through.
- Insert the two ends of the pipe cleaner, at the same time, into the slit of the dress.
- Bring one length of pipe cleaner out to the side along the sleeve. Bend pipe cleaner back on itself so that a small amount pokes out the end to form a hand. Repeat for remaining arm on the other side.
- OPTIONAL: You can add a small bead to form the hand if you prefer by inserting onto the pipe cleaner at the bend point.
- Twist together the remaining pipe cleaner ends at the centre of the body all the way to the end and then fold up so that the pipe cleaner sits entirely within the dress.
- Return to the head bead. Gently push down the bead to remove any gap between dress and head then fold pipe cleaner down towards back of the head.
- Starting at the armpit (this keeps the dress neat) stitch the seams on the arm together. I prefer blanket stich but you can do whatever stitch you prefer.
- Make a double knot in the end of your thread and begin from inside the dress to hide the knot.
- Do a couple of stitches at the start and end to secure in place. If sleeve ends don’t meet up together you can snip them now to meet before final stitches.
- If choosing blanket stitch hold both pieces of felt together and insert needle through both pieces from one side to the other. Before pulling taut, bring needle back through the loop you have just made.
- At the end of the sleeve make sure to do a few loop over stitches to secure in place.
- Repeat for the other arm sleeve. If you have enough thread left I insert the needle back through the sleeve I was working on to return to the middle and repeat step 11.
- Next we are sewing one side of the dress together – again starting at the armpit.
- Once the first side of the dress is stitched loosely place the bottom of the dress in place.
- Now sew around one side of the bottom (you should have the other side of the bottom and one dress side still open). You can now use a very small amount of stuffing to pad out your fairy.
- Stitch down the final side of the dress and the last side of the bottom. Your fairy should now have enough stability to stand up!
- Pencil in eyes, nose and mouth – eyes are usually around half way on the bead.
- Add hair. You can use roving or yarn. These instructions will go through using felt roving. Pull apart roving to get a more wispy look rather than cutting. Test out positioning hair in place. My daughter is really good at making these little twisted styles like the one below.
- You can use PVA but a glue gun is quicker to dry. Apply glue to back, top and sides of head. Stick hair in place (be quick before it hardens). CAUTION: glue gun heat can transfer through the roving.
- Add embellishments: sew or use a glue gun. If using a glue gun add glue to the embellishment and then stick to fairy. For the little flowers we use a mini die cutter and mini dies to make the flowers.
- Optional: knot thread around the hair. If adding a bow, tie the bow upside down. Go over facial features in pencil or permanent pen. Say hello to your fairy!
Free Flower Fairy Instructions & Template Download
Next Project?
Why not make a mushroom house for your fairy. You can find the full instructions for this needle felting project here.
With supervision, children can make their own fairies. Or you can make them a little fairy friend. Don’t forget that they contain small parts so they aren’t suitable for under 3s or children who explore objects with their mouths.
When I make them with my daughter I use the glue gun. Initially, I used to give her support with the stitches but as her confidence with sewing has grown she is now proficient to do this part herself as I sit with her and make my own fairy.
As always, I would recommend adult supervision with activities and take care to ensure the items you are using are suitable for your child in both age and development. The views expressed are my own. If I have been sent a product for review then I will state this is the case; my review will be my honest opinion.