Leaf Vase Filler

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• Scissors
• Wonder Under Double-sided interfacing
• fabric pen or pencil
• Muslin fabric - two 8"x 10" pieces per stem
• three 18" floral stem wires per finished stem
• Dark brown floral tape
• Iron

DIRECTIONS:

STEMS:
For each stem, use 3 floral wires.
STEM SHAPE 1:

1. Cut one wire in half, and each half in half again (you will have four 4.5" pieces). Apply interfacing to half of the fabric squares according to directions.
2. Using pattern, trace 7 leaves onto the paper backing of the interfacing. Cut out each leaf along traced line. Remove paper backing from each leaf.
3. Using fabric squares without interfacing, lay one 18" wire and three 4.5" wires on wrong side of fabric. Place cut out leaves, interfacing side down over end of each wire. Wires should overlap bottom of stem about 1". Using iron according to directions, iron each leaf firmly to fabric, so that wire stem is adhered between the fabric layers. Cut out leaves from fabric piece. Repeat the process on the other ends of the three 4.5" pieces of wire. You will have one 18' wire with a leaf attached at one end, and three 4.5" wires with leaves on both ends. Twist the shorter wires around the larger wire to make 3 branches.
4. Starting from the base of the last pair of leaves, wrap an additional wire around the central stem wire to add structure, so it will stand up in a vase. Trim the base of the wires to match. Wrap the entire stem and branches in brown floral tape. This will add structure and dimension to each finished piece.
STEM SHAPE 2:

5. Cut one wire in half, and one half in half again (you will have one 9" piece and two 4.5" pieces).
6. Apply interfacing to half of the fabric squares according to directions.
7. Using pattern, trace 7 leaves onto the paper backing of the interfacing. Cut out each leaf along traced line. Remove paper backing from each leaf.
8. Using fabric squares without interfacing, lay one 18" wire, two 4.5" wires, and one 9" wire on wrong side of fabric. Place cut out leaves, interfacing side down over end of each wire. Wires should overlap bottom of stem about 1". Using iron according to directions, iron each leaf firmly to fabric, so that wire stem is adhered between the fabric layers. Cut out leaves from fabric piece. Repeat the process on the other ends of the two 4.5" wires, and one 9" wire. You will have one 18" wire with a leaf attached at one end, two 4.5" wires, and one 9" with leaves on both ends. Twist the medium length wire around the longest wire. Wrap the shortest wires around each end of the medium wire to make 2 branches with 3 leaves each.
9. Starting from the base of smaller branches, wrap an additional wire around the central stem wire to add structure to the branch, so it will stand up in a vase. Trim the base of the wires to match. Wrap the entire stem and branches in brown floral tape. This will add structure and dimension to each finished piece.

Craft Hack Tips and Tricks:

• Prior to starting the project, plan ahead. Do you want matching fabric on each side of leaves or contrasting fabric? Will you mix and match leaves on branches, or make them match? This will save time and mistakes once interfacing is applied to the fabric.