Making Poppies

We discovered the 5000 Poppies Project through the Legacy newsletter and decided to join in.  Having a father, grandfather and great grandfathers who were Veterans it seemed like a fitting tribute.
November 11th 2013 was the first deadline with the project planning an exhibition and workshop at Fed Square in Melbourne. Time was tight!

The website had patterns for both knitted and crocheted poppies and I began by making each of these.  While they turned out ok I thought I'd be faster and better if I could make some in felt.  After checking Pinterest I found a tutorial for felt poppies used as brooches.  Only problem was it was in Russian!
Luckily I can read pictures so  after a bit of trial and error I came up with this.

1. You will need: red felt, black or green felt, small piece of fibrefill stuffing, red and black stranded cotton, small black beads or 'eyelash' yarn

2.The pattern. it doesn't really matter what size you make but I put the 5cm guide on to help if you are printing it out or photocopying it.

2.  Using the patterns cut out 4 petals and a back circle from red felt.  Cut out one centre from black or green felt.

3.Blanket stitch around the edge of each petal. Pull the thread a little as you go to create a cupped effect for the petal. When the four petals are completed running stitch them together across the bottom. Overlap petals slightly as you go and join into a circle but leave end free to gather up the petals later.

4. Run gathering stitch around the black or green centre circle. (I've done it in orange so you can see it but use matching thread. Place small ball of fibrefil stuffing in the centre and pull up tightly.  Wrap thread around a few times to secure and then sew off end.

5.Place the petals around the centre and pull up gathering thread. Secure by stitching through centre from one petal to another.

6. Making stamens Version 1: Sew long and short blanket stitches around centre, three on each petal. Add a bead to the top of each stitch.

7. Making stamens Version 2: On the front side of poppy wrap eyelash yarn between centre and petals.  Stitch down to secure.

8. Neaten the back  by blanket stitching the red circle back over centre of  poppy. A dedication tape can be added before completing the stitching.

This makes a basic poppy.  You can change the design to suit yourself. Make it easier by finding a pretty button to use as the centre or more complex by adding more beads or a double row of petals.

If you would like to send your poppies to the 5000 Poppies Project I'm sure they would love to have them.

5000poppies.wordpress.com or 5000 poppies on Facebook

H

xoxoxo