Sarah Brown
Sewing fabric mushrooms is a fun and creative way to make decorations for your home. They can be used as Christmas ornaments, keychains, or even as part of a seasonal garland. The process is relatively simple and quick, and there are many ways to experiment with different fabrics, patterns, and sizes. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced crafter, sewing fabric mushrooms is an enjoyable project that allows you to explore your creativity. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps of creating your own fabric mushrooms, from choosing the right materials to assembling the final product. So, get ready to dive into the world of fabric mushrooms and unlock your crafting potential!
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What You'll Learn
Choosing fabric and cutting it into the right shapes
When it comes to choosing fabric for your mushroom, you can use any fabric you have on hand. Scraps of velvet and felt are a popular choice, but you can also use linen or cotton. If you want your mushroom to stand up on its own, opt for a sturdy fabric like felt, or add a rigid circle inside the cap for support. This could be made from wood, cardstock, plastic, or even a mason jar lid.
To create the cap of the mushroom, cut out a circle from your chosen fabric. The size of the circle will depend on how big you want your mushroom to be, but a circle with a diameter of around 9 cm is a good starting point. If you're using felt, cut out four cap panels in triangular shapes, with one circle and three elongated pieces for the gills and the stalk. Leave about 0.5 cm of seam allowance when cutting, so you have guiding lines for stitching.
For the stalk, cut out two pieces of fabric in rectangular shapes. The size of these rectangles will depend on how tall and thick you want the stalk to be. Place the rectangles together, with right sides touching, and sew them together along one long side, from the tip to the short side. You can then roll the stitched rectangles into a cylindrical shape and sew along the bottom and up the side to keep the tube shape.
If you want to add gills to your mushroom, cut out a small circle of fabric, about 5 cm in diameter. You can use the same fabric as the cap or try a contrasting colour for a fun touch. Sew a gathering stitch around the edge of the circle, and then pull the thread to gather the fabric. The gathered fabric should be long enough to go around the cap of the mushroom. Iron the gathered fabric flat to create crisp creases that simulate the gills. You can then glue or sew this piece to the underside of the cap.
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Sewing the mushroom top
Cutting the Fabric:
Start by cutting the fabric for the top of the mushroom. Using a compass cutter or a fabric circle cutter, cut a circle out of your chosen fabric. The circle should be approximately 3.5" (9 cm) in diameter. This will serve as the base of your mushroom cap. If you're using fabric that frays easily, consider applying fray-stop glue to the edges to prevent any unwanted fraying.
Gathering the Fabric:
To create the distinctive curved shape of the mushroom cap, you'll need to gather the fabric. Use a gathering stitch to draw the fabric together. The gathered length should be long enough to go around the cardboard circle that will form the structure of the cap. Once you've achieved the desired length, iron the fabric flat to create crisp creases that mimic the underside of the mushroom cap, known as the lamella or gill.
Attaching the Fabric to the Cardboard:
Now, it's time to attach the fabric to the cardboard circle. Using hot glue, carefully adhere the gathered fabric to the cardboard circle. Make sure the fabric is securely glued and that the underside of the cap maintains its shape.
Embellishments and Details:
Before assembling the mushroom, you can add details to the cap. If you're creating an Amanita muscaria mushroom, for example, you can embroider white dots onto the red cap using French knots. You can also add beading or embroidery to mimic the gills of the mushroom. Experiment with different types of beads, such as bugle beads, to create unique and realistic gill textures.
Assembling the Mushroom Top:
Finally, it's time to assemble the mushroom top. If you plan to insert a wooden stick or a rigid circle for support, do so before attaching the stalk. Place the stalk onto the underside of the cap, covering the hole, and stitch it securely in place. Use a thread colour that matches your fabric to help hide the stitches.
Remember, you can always refer to online tutorials and patterns for additional guidance and creative ideas to make your sewn mushroom tops even more captivating!
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Sewing the stalk
Cutting and Pinning the Fabric
Begin by cutting out the fabric pieces for the stalk. You will need two elongated triangular pieces of fabric for the sides of the stalk. Pin these pieces together, with the right sides of the fabric touching. It is important to leave a seam allowance of about 0.5 cm along the edges to provide a guide for stitching.
Carefully sew along one long side of the pinned fabric, starting from the tip and ending at the short side. This will create the structure for the stalk. Be sure to sew with precision, as removing stitches from small fabric pieces can be challenging.
Turning and Stuffing the Stalk
After sewing, turn the stalk right-side out. This step can be tricky, and tools like tweezers or chopsticks can be useful for turning the fabric. Once the stalk is turned out, it's time to stuff it firmly with fiberfill or soft stuffing. This will help the mushroom stand upright and give it a fuller appearance.
Attaching the Stalk to the Cap
Now, you can attach the stalk to the underside of the mushroom cap. Use thread that matches the colour of the fabric to discreetly stitch the stalk in place. Ensure that the stitches are tight and secure, holding the stalk firmly in place.
Optional Enhancements
Before attaching the stalk, you may want to insert a wooden stick inside for added support, especially if your mushroom is larger or needs to stand on its own. Additionally, you can add a rigid circle made of wood, cardstock, plastic, or even a mason jar lid inside the cap to provide stability. These enhancements are optional but can improve the structure and durability of your fabric mushroom.
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Adding decorations
Now for the fun part: adding decorations! You can decorate your mushroom in a variety of ways, depending on the type of mushroom you want to create.
If you want to create a mushroom with gills, you can add beading or embroidery to the underside of the mushroom cap. You can also use ruched felt or bugle beads to mimic gills. If you want to create a rufflier bottom with gills, try cutting the velvet circle larger and the felt circle smaller, then make your stitches closer together. This will create a ruffling effect on the velvet, making it look more like gills.
You can also decorate your mushroom by adding a wooden stick inside the stalk for support. Just make sure it's a little shorter than the stalk to help with the finishing. You could also add a rigid circle inside the cap for extra support. This could be made from wood, cardstock, plastic, or even a mason jar lid.
If you want to create a spotted mushroom, you can embroider white dots onto the cap with French knots.
For a festive touch, add some beads to the mushroom base for a little sparkle.
Don't be afraid to experiment with different decorations and techniques to create your unique mushroom!
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Using your sewn mushrooms
Sewn mushrooms can be used in a variety of ways to decorate your home or to create thoughtful gifts for your loved ones. Here are some ideas for using your sewn mushrooms:
Home Decor
Mushrooms are a popular theme in home decor, and your sewn creations can add a whimsical touch to your living space. You can hang them individually as ornaments on a Christmas tree or create a festive garland by stringing them together. They can also be hung from a moss-covered wreath or artfully arranged in a pretty bowl, adding a rustic charm to your autumn or fall-themed decor.
Keychains
Turn your sewn mushrooms into adorable custom keychains by attaching them to keychain loops. Experiment with different fabrics, patterns, and sizes to create a unique collection. These mushroom-themed keychains make whimsical and personal gifts for your loved ones on any occasion.
Embroidered Details
Add intricate details to your sewn mushrooms, such as embroidering white dots on the red caps to resemble the Amanita muscaria mushroom. You can also experiment with beading or embroidery to mimic the mushroom "gills," adding a sparkly touch to your creations.
Mushroom Display
Create a stunning mushroom display by combining your sewn mushrooms with other mushroom-themed elements. Print vintage fungi images onto old bed sheets or use mushroom-themed plates and fabrics for wall decor. This way, you can showcase your sewn mushrooms as part of a captivating and cohesive display.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to using your sewn mushrooms. Let your creativity flow and feel free to experiment with different ideas to find new ways to showcase your handcrafted creations.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use any fabric you have on hand, such as velvet, linen, felt, or scraps of fabric. You will also need a needle and thread, as well as tweezers or chopsticks to turn the fabric right side out.
First, cut out the fabric pieces for the mushroom cap and stalk. Sew the pieces together, leaving a hole to turn them right-side out. Stuff the stalk with fiberfill or dry lentils, beans, or rocks to help the mushroom stand up. Sew the stalk to the underside of the mushroom, covering the hole.
It takes approximately 20 minutes to complete each fabric mushroom.
Sewn mushrooms can be used as decorations, such as Christmas ornaments or garlands, or turned into custom keychains. They can also be used for seasonal decor, such as autumn or fall displays.
