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Sewn half flower + loose leaf fabric wedding invitations with fabric backs

Sewn Half Flower Fabric and Loose Leaf Wedding Invitations - fabric and paper wedding invites

I am totally in love with these DIY sewn fabric wedding invitations that I designed for recent bride Natalie Fayard.

Sewn Half Flower Fabric Wedding Invitations

Thanks to Google, Natalie and her mother found me and my sewn fabric poppy wedding invitations that were featured in the The Knot’s 2007-2008 Fall/Winter National Magazine. Natalie had found this lovely yellow, black, white and khaki fabric that has such energy and throwback personality:

Sewn Half Flower Fabric and Loose Leaf Wedding Invitations - fabric and paper wedding invites

One tricky wrinkle: Natalie’s fabric had a lot of large flowers (3″ – 4″) and smaller flowers that were not “perfect,” overlapping to create oddly shaped sides when cut out. To make things worse, the “perfect” flowers were so spread out that it would require oodles and oodles of expensive yardage to get a full-flower look.

Sewn Half Flower Fabric and Loose Leaf Wedding Invitations - fabric and paper wedding invites

So I noodled around and designed this variation for Natalie featuring half flowers layered on top of loose fabric leaves. I couldn’t be more more thrilled with this design twist …and to tell the truth, I think I like these even better than my poppy ones.

Sewn Half Flower Fabric and Loose Leaf Wedding Invitations - fabric and paper wedding invites

From Natalie: “A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!  Kathy, they’re awesome; you are so great honestly! …Thank you again so much for all your hardwork and all the time you took to assist me with this project. I look back and have learned so much.”

Sewn Half Flower Fabric and Loose Leaf Wedding Invitations - fabric and paper wedding invites


Celebrate with style

Supplies for making your own DIY sewn wedding invitations:

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Sewn Half Flower Fabric and Loose Leaf Wedding Invitations - fabric and paper wedding invites

(also available in 100 Sheet Bulk Pack) instead of A6 Flat Note Cards, print 2 per page and cut to size.)

Cut flowers and leaves
Press fabric flat. Iron on craft weight interfacing behind areas of flowers and leaves to stiffen and add weight (you can skip this if you’re using thick fabric).

Sewn Half Flower Fabric and Loose Leaf Wedding Invitations - fabric and paper wedding invites

Cut out flowers and leaves, making sure to cut slightly *outside* the lines. Remember not every invitation needs to be exactly the same.

Sewn Half Flower Fabric and Loose Leaf Wedding Invitations - fabric and paper wedding invites

Cut all large and odd-shaped flowers so that they bleed off the top of the invitation.

Cut fabric for invitation backs

Sewn Half Flower Fabric and Loose Leaf Wedding Invitations - fabric and paper wedding invites

Iron craft weight interfacing onto fabric (if using thick fabric you can skip this step).

Sewn Half Flower Fabric and Loose Leaf Wedding Invitations - fabric and paper wedding invites

Using your Rotary cutter, Self-healing mat and clear plastic ruler cut 4.75” x 6.75” squares, one for each invitation back. Remember all fabric edges are intentionally left raw and unfinished.

Sewn Half Flower Fabric and Loose Leaf Wedding Invitations - fabric and paper wedding invites

Stack your invitation and sew
Place the fabric rectangle back face down on your mat. Layer on the A7 Flat Note Card next and then the A6 Size Flat Note Card printed page on top.

Sewn Half Flower Fabric and Loose Leaf Wedding Invitations - fabric and paper wedding invites

Sew yellow thread through all three layers 1/8th of an inch from the cream sides; you can either backstitch or tie it off (here’s a perfectionist trick: backstitch where the flower is going to go to hide your backstitch).

Sewn Half Flower Fabric and Loose Leaf Wedding Invitations - fabric and paper wedding invites

Here’s what the sewn fabric back looks like.

Sewn Half Flower Fabric and Loose Leaf Wedding Invitations - fabric and paper wedding invites

Put the flower on the top and slip a loose leaf underneath. Sew around the edge of the flower. Leaf edges will be raw and loose.

Sewn Half Flower Fabric and Loose Leaf Wedding Invitations - fabric and paper wedding invites

You will see the stitching on the back of the invitation; again, this is intentional to add to the texture and handmade feel. Voila!

Get creative! Layer flowers on top of loose leaves and sew around edges

Mix and match flowers and leaves to create a range of pretty invitations.

Sewn Half Flower Fabric and Loose Leaf Wedding Invitations - fabric and paper wedding invites

For instance, I made these leaf-only “more manly” invitations were for Natalie and Jeff’s single male guests 🙂

Sewn Half Flower Fabric and Loose Leaf Wedding Invitations - fabric and paper wedding invites

Create bunches of variations and have fun!

Sewn Half Flower Fabric and Loose Leaf Wedding Invitations - fabric and paper wedding invites

Sewn Half Flower Fabric and Loose Leaf Wedding Invitations - fabric and paper wedding invites

Don’t feel like making them yourself? Contact me and I’ll help.

Did you make it? Please post a comment and let me know how this craft idea works for you. And share your own photos at the MerrimentDesign.com Facebook page, “I made it!” flickr photo gallery or tweet a picture to @merrimentdesign. Craft and pass it on!

COPYRIGHT NOTE: You’re more than welcome to use free pattern and how to step-by-step tutorial for your own personal use. Contact me for any commercial use – this includes etsy sellers.

KellyS

Friday 11th of April 2014

I love this and made up a quick card for my friend today. Thank you for the inspiration. http://statigr.am/viewer.php#/detail/696435961594476164_21757396

Kathy Beymer

Friday 11th of April 2014

How pretty! I love that fabric. You look like a good sewer ...I need some motivation. Where's the best place to follow you?

Laura

Monday 23rd of December 2013

I just happened to fall on this website and am in LOVE with these invitations. Step 1: Find fabric! My colors are navy blue and gray, so hopefully I'll be able to find something as adorable as this!

Antonia

Monday 23rd of July 2012

Hi, Can you tell me where you got this exact yellow floral fabric and the name of the fabric too? I really like it and I'm about to start doing my own invites. It would really help since I've been looking for a long time, but can't find anything remotely as pretty as this one! Thanks!!!

Alanna

Thursday 5th of July 2012

I am so in love! I'm thinking of adding a pock on the back so RSVP card could be tucked in to the back.

Angie

Thursday 5th of April 2012

My bridesmaid and I dove into this project this week! So far, we have all of the fabric squares cut. I had someone recreate the flowers from my fabric in a design for the front of the invitations, though. We're just not cut out for...cutting out all of those flowers. Yeah, I went there with the pun. Anyhow, on to sewing, and I will be sure to share everything when it's finished!

Kathy Beymer

Monday 9th of April 2012

Hi Angie, that's great. I'll share your photos with my followers when you get them done. And congratulations on your engagement!