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Welcome to Craft Fair Week - another fun collaboration with Therm O Web! We know that many of you participate in craft fairs and fundraisers, so we decided to showcase some new projects that would be easy to make in larger batches on your own or with a group of friends. We’re kicking things off with a charming and practical project from Maker Team member Belinda of @brdgirl that’s perfect for makers of all skill levels: Flower Pinkeeps. Whether you're preparing for an event, organizing a fundraiser, or simply looking for a quick and satisfying creative outlet, these floral pinkeeps are sure to delight!
These versatile pinkeeps can be customized in any color palette - think autumn tones, school spirit hues, or your personal favorites. For this tutorial, I’ve streamlined the process using a deep etch die (with SVG and PDF versions available), making it easy to create multiples in no time. So, gather your supplies, invite a few crafty friends or little helpers, and let’s dive into this fun and functional project. Craft Fair Week starts now - and your handmade flower pinkeeps are about to steal the show!
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Time: 1 hour or less
Additional Supplies:
HeatnBond Medium Weight Non-Woven Fusible Interfacing
SpraynBond Basting Adhesive Fabric Spray
Heatnbond Fabric Fuse Liquid Adhesive
Comic Book Board or Lightweight Cardboard
½” Buttons
Wonder Clips - optional
Directions:
Preparing Pieces
1. Fabric and Interfacing:
- Cut two 4” squares of Essex Linen in Seafoam.
- Cut two 4” squares of HeatnBond Medium Weight Non-Woven Fusible Interfacing.
2. Backing Circles:
- Cut two 2½” circles from Comic Book Board.
- Cut two 2½” circles from White Wool Blend Felt.
For faster production, use the 2½” circle die from the Circles & Scallops Deep Etch Die set and a die cut machine.
3. Flowers: Use Flower Power Deep Etch Die (or Flower Power SVG + PDF) to cut
- One Flower 1 from Salmon felt
- One Flower 2 from Apricot felt
- One Small Stitchable Center from Crema felt
- Three Leaves from Nori felt
Assembling Base
4. Place felt circles on a protected surface. I use HeatnBond Pressing Paper inside the lid of a cardboard box to shield my workspace. Shake SpraynBond Basting Adhesive Spray well and hold upright, about 12" from felt surface. Apply adhesive in a sweeping side-to-side motion, ensuring even coverage, especially around the edges. Center and press one felt circle onto each comic book board circle.
5. Center and fuse one 4” square of HeatnBond Medium Weight Non-Woven Fusible Interfacing to the back of each 4” square of linen. Place rough side of interfacing against wrong side of linen. Cover with a lightweight, dry pressing cloth. Press and hold iron with medium pressure (no steam) for 10-15 seconds. Lift and reposition iron to a new area, slightly overlapping previous section, until entire surface is bonded.
6. Center one cardboard circle on back (interfacing side) of each linen square. Lightly trace around circle with a pencil to mark placement. Repeat for both linen pieces.
7. Trim each linen square to approximately ¾"–1" outside traced circle. Sew a gathering (running) stitch around outer edge of linen, keeping both starting and ending points on right side of fabric. Place felt-covered circle (felt side down) centered within traced circle and pull thread ends to gather. Tie a knot. With the remaining thread lengths, lace linen edges across the back in a star-like pattern to tighten and smooth out any wrinkles or bubbles. Knot and trim thread.
8. Press back gently to flatten linen, remove bulk and give it a polished finish. Repeat for both linen pieces.
Creating Flower
9. Place base circles wrong side up on protected surface. Apply adhesive spray. Position three leaves on wrong side of one base circle, allowing ¼ to ½" of each leaf to extend beyond the edge. Center second base on top, aligning edges, and press together. Adhesive spray will hold the layers and leaves in place. Thread needle with matching thread and knot end. Bury knot inside edge of the disk to hide. Whip stitch around perimeter for a clean, finished look. Wonder Clips work well to press the disks together and hold the stitches tightly.
10. Layer Flower 1, Flower 2 and Stitchable Center. Adhesive spray works great for holding the layers together and a needle will still glide through. Thread tapestry needle with Salmon thread and knot the end. Hide the knot between felt layers. Work a running stitch through pre-punched holes. Stitch around the circle once, then return to fill in gaps for a complete outline. Using the same thread, attach a ½” button in center of flower. Secure thread with a knot, hidden between the layers.
Pinkeep Assembly
11. Use HeatnBond Fabric Fuse Liquid Adhesive to attach felt flower to linen-covered disk. Apply thin lines of adhesive starting at the center of the flower’s back, working outward in a circular motion. Using your finger or a small paintbrush, spread glue into a thin, even layer.
12. Center and press the flower into place on the disk with light pressure and hold until the adhesive sets.
13. Insert pins around perimeter of disk, placing them neatly into the seam for a decorative and functional finish.
Now it’s your turn to get creative! These Flower Pinkeeps are just the beginning - feel free to mix and match colors, layer different shapes, or add your own embellishments to make each one uniquely yours.
Whether you're crafting for a fair, a fundraiser, or just for fun, this project is a wonderful way to showcase your personal style. Don’t be afraid to experiment - your creativity is what makes handmade items truly special!
Thanks to Belinda for designing and writing this tutorial! You can see more of her work on Instagram @brdgirl and on her website. Stay tuned for more Craft Fair tutorials all week long!
