Sarah Brown
Sewing fabric mushrooms is a fun and simple DIY project that can be used for various decorative purposes. While making fabric mushrooms, one might wonder how to sew the gills under the mushroom cap to make them look more realistic. One method is to cut out an elongated piece of fabric for the gills and stitch it to the bottom of the cap. Another technique involves gathering a piece of white fabric with a gathering stitch, creating creases that simulate the underside of the mushroom cap or gills. Experimenting with different fabrics, stitch types, and techniques can help create the desired ruffle or gill effect.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time required | About half an hour |
| Materials | Fabric, needle, thread, scissors, cardboard, glue, beads |
| Fabric type | Velvet, felt, linen, or any fabric you have on hand |
| Sewing technique | Hand sewing or sewing machine |
| Gills | Created by gathering and stitching fabric to form creases, using closer stitches, or adding beads |
| Decoration | Embroidery, French knots, white dots, or beading |
| Support | Cardboard, wood, cardstock, plastic, or mason jar lid |
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What You'll Learn
Cut fabric swatches for the top of the mushroom into a circle
To create fabric mushrooms, you'll need to cut fabric swatches for the top of the mushroom into a circle. This will form the mushroom cap. You can use a compass cutter or a fabric circle cutter to cut out a circle with a diameter of 3.5" (9 cm). This step is much easier with a special cutter, especially if you plan on making multiple mushrooms.
The type of fabric you use is important. It should be soft and pliable, and something that can support itself without any rigid additions inside. Felt fabric, for example, is a good choice as it is strong and sturdy. Velvet is another popular choice, and you can use scraps of velvet from other projects, such as throw pillows, to create a coordinated look. If you're using fabric that frays easily, like linen, you can dab the edges with fray-stop glue to prevent this.
You can also decorate your mushroom cap. One option is to embroider white dots onto a red cap using French knots. Alternatively, you can sew white beads onto the cap, placing them closer together in the center and then spreading them out towards the edge.
If you want to add support to the cap, you can insert a rigid circle made of wood, cardstock, plastic, or even a mason jar lid. This will help the mushroom hold its shape. You can also add a small piece of cardboard inside the cap to help position the stem. Cut a general circle shape with a diameter of about 3.5 cm and poke a small hole in the center for wires using a craft knife.
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Sew smaller linen circles together
To sew smaller linen circles together to create a mushroom shape, you will first need to cut out two 2.5″ (6.5cm) circles of linen fabric. If your fabric frays easily, you can dab the edges with fray-stop glue. Then, sew the smaller linen circles together. You can use a sewing machine or hand sew them with a needle and thread.
Once sewn together, snip a hole in the centre of the circles and turn them right-sides out. You can then add a piece of cardboard to help the mushroom hold its shape. Cut a 2″ (5cm) circle out of cardboard, fold it into quarters, and snip a hole in the centre. Insert the cardboard circle into the linen circles.
You can now begin to create the mushroom shape. With a needle and thread, tie a knot at the end of the thread so that it will not pass through the linen. Then, stitch a running stitch around the edge of the cardboard circle (about 3mm from the edge). Pull the thread to gather the fabric around the cardboard circle. This will create the underside of the mushroom cap, or the gills.
You can add further decoration to the mushroom cap, such as sewing white beads onto a red cap, or adding French knots to create white dots on a red cap.
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Use cardboard to help the mushroom hold its shape
To make a DIY fabric mushroom, you can use cardboard to help the mushroom hold its shape. First, cut a circle out of cardboard that is about 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter and the thickness of a cereal box. Then, fold the cardboard circle into quarters and snip a small hole in the centre. This will be used for the wires of the stem to be inserted.
The next step is to cut a piece of white fabric to about 6x40 cm. Gather the fabric with a gathering stitch, pulling it tightly and making a knot. The gathered length should be long enough to go around the cardboard circle. Once you have the desired length, iron it flat to create crisp creases that will simulate the underside of the mushroom cap, or the gills.
After this, insert the stem wires through the hole in the cardboard. You can then attach the cap to the stem by stitching the two together.
Using cardboard in this way helps to create a more realistic, cap-like shape for the mushroom.
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Stitch around the circle's edge
When stitching around the circle's edge, it is important to ensure that your stitches are neat and evenly spaced. This step will create the foundation for the mushroom's gills, so it is important to take your time and be precise.
Begin by tying a knot at the end of your thread to prevent it from slipping through the fabric. Use a needle and thread that is strong enough to withstand the tension of the stitches. Enter the needle through the back of the fabric, approximately 3mm from the edge of the circle. This will ensure that your knot is hidden and secure.
Slowly stitch around the entire circumference of the circle, maintaining a consistent distance from the edge. Aim for a distance of approximately 3mm, as mentioned earlier. This step will create a running stitch around the circle, providing a base for the gills.
If you are using a sewing machine, adjust the settings to achieve the desired stitch length and spacing. If hand sewing, be mindful of keeping your stitches uniform and tight to create a neat appearance.
Once you have stitched around the entire circle, secure the thread with another knot at the end. This will ensure that your stitches do not come loose. You can now move on to the next steps of creating the mushroom gills, such as gathering or ruffling the fabric to create the desired texture and shape.
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Embroider dots on the mushroom cap
Embroidering dots onto the mushroom cap is a great way to add detail and texture to your DIY mushroom. You can use a variety of techniques and materials to achieve the desired look.
If you want to create a realistic-looking mushroom, like the Amanita muscaria, with its iconic red cap and white dots, you can use French knots to embroider dots onto a red cap. This technique adds texture and dimension to your mushroom. You can use embroidery floss or thread in a contrasting colour to create the dots, and adjust the spacing and density of the knots to achieve the desired effect.
Another option is to use beads to create the dots. Sewing white beads onto the red cap, starting from the centre and working outwards, will create a gradual spread that mimics the natural pattern of dots on a mushroom cap. You can use a variety of bead sizes and densities to create a realistic and textured look.
If you're feeling creative, you can experiment with different types of fabric and stitching techniques to achieve the desired look for your mushroom cap. For example, you can try using felt fabric, which is strong and sturdy, allowing your mushroom to hold its shape without any rigid internal support. Alternatively, you can use velvet and felt scraps to create a soft and pliable mushroom, perfect for hanging decorations or garlands.
When embroidering the dots onto the mushroom cap, it's important to consider the placement and spacing of the dots. You can play around with different arrangements, such as clustering the dots closer together in the centre and then spreading them out towards the edge. This creates a visually appealing and natural-looking pattern.
Overall, embroidering dots onto the mushroom cap is a fun and creative way to add detail and texture to your DIY mushroom project. By using different techniques, fabrics, and arrangements, you can achieve a variety of looks, from realistic replicas to whimsical decorations.
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Frequently asked questions
Cut out four cap panels (triangular shapes) from red felt, one circle, and three elongated pieces for the gills (bottom of the cap) and the stalk.
Felt fabric is a good option as it is strong and sturdy and can support itself without any rigid additions inside.
Sew white beads onto the red cap, starting from the centre and spreading outwards. This will simulate the underside of the mushroom cap (lamella or gill).
