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Learning to sew daisies is easier than you might think, and it’s a delightful skill that adds a cheerful, handmade touch to all kinds of projects.
You can sew daisies onto tote bags, dresses, pillows, or even use them as standalone appliqués.
The best part is that you can sew daisies using a few simple hand stitches, a sewing machine, or even with fabric that you’ve cut into petal shapes.
In this post, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to sew daisies, from gathering your supplies to finishing your very first flower.
Let’s get started on this fun and flowery project.
Why You Should Learn How to Sew Daisies
Learning how to sew daisies is a fantastic way to personalize your wardrobe and home décor.
First, these little flowers are incredibly versatile since you can make them in any color, size, or fabric you like.
Second, you can sew daisies quickly, meaning even beginners can finish a flower in under an hour.
And third, sewing daisies is a relaxing craft that doesn’t require a huge investment in tools or materials.
You can sew daisies with just a needle and thread, or you can speed things up using a machine.
Let’s look at the essential supplies you’ll want to have on hand.
1. Gather Your Fabric and Thread
To sew daisies, you’ll need a base fabric for the petal layer, which can be cotton, felt, or even an old t-shirt.
Felt is especially forgiving because it doesn’t fray, making it perfect for beginners who want to sew daisies without fussing over edges.
You’ll also need embroidery floss or a strong thread that matches or contrasts with your petals.
Don’t forget a needle that’s sharp enough to pierce your fabric easily.
2. Choose a Center Button or Bead
The center of your daisy is what really makes it pop, so you can sew daisies with a button, a bead, or even a small circle of felt.
A bright yellow button is classic, but you can use any color to make your daisies whimsical.
Make sure the button or bead has holes large enough for your needle to pass through easily.
3. Pick Your Base Item
Decide what you want to sew daisies onto, such as a denim jacket, a canvas tote, or a plain throw pillow.
The surface should be smooth and flat so your stitches don’t pucker.
If you’re working with a stretchy fabric, consider adding a bit of interfacing to the back to keep your daisies from warping.
Now that you have your materials, let’s talk about the actual stitching techniques you’ll use.
Basic Hand Stitches to Sew Daisies
You can sew daisies using simple hand stitches that create lovely petal shapes.
The lazy daisy stitch is the go-to method for embroidered flowers, and it’s surprisingly easy once you get the hang of it.
You can also use a running stitch to outline petals that you’ve drawn or ironed onto your fabric.
Let’s break down the lazy daisy stitch first, because it’s the most common way to sew daisies by hand.
1. How to Do the Lazy Daisy Stitch
Start by bringing your thread up from the back of the fabric at the center point where your daisy will live.
Then, insert the needle back down close to that starting point, but don’t pull the thread all the way through.
Leave a small loop of thread on the surface of the fabric.
Next, bring the needle up at the tip of the petal, passing it through the loop you created.
Pull the thread gently to tighten the loop, then insert the needle down just on the other side of the loop to secure the petal tip.
Repeat this process around the center, creating 5 to 7 overlapping petals to sew daisies that look full and soft.
2. Using a Straight Stitch for Petals
If you prefer a more modern or geometric look, you can sew daisies using simple straight stitches.
Just mark a small circle in the middle of your fabric, then draw lines radiating outward like the spokes of a wheel.
Bring the needle up at the circle’s edge and down at the end of each spoke.
This creates long, skinny petals that look like a sunflower or daisy, depending on how wide you space them.
Once you’ve filled in all the spokes, you can sew daisies with a center button to hide your starting stitches.
3. Machine Sewing for Quick Daisies
You can also sew daisies using a zigzag stitch on your sewing machine to attach a fabric circle or felt petal.
Cut out five or six petal shapes from felt and arrange them in a circle on your base fabric.
Set your machine to a narrow zigzag and stitch around the inside edge of each petal to secure it.
Then, switch to a straight stitch and sew a small spiral or star in the center to mimic the daisy’s eye.
This method is faster than hand embroidery, so you can sew daisies for a whole project in one sitting.
Adding a Rich Center and Finishing Touches
After you’ve sewn the petals, it’s time to add the center of your daisy.
You can sew daisies with a single button in the middle, which is the easiest and quickest way to finish.
Simply thread your needle, come up from the back through one hole of the button, then go down through the opposite hole.
Repeat this a few times to make the button secure, and tie off the thread on the backside.
For a more textured look, you can also sew daisies with a French knot in the center, which is a tiny coiled knot that looks like a seed pod.
1. Making a French Knot Center
To make a French knot, bring the thread up at the center of your daisy, then wrap the thread around the needle two or three times.
Insert the needle back down right next to where it came up, holding the wraps tightly as you pull the needle through.
This creates a small, round knot that’s perfect for the center of your flower.
You can group a few French knots together to sew daisies with a more dimensional middle.
2. Trimming and Securing Loose Ends
Once you’ve finished stitching, flip your work over and trim any loose threads close to the fabric.
If you used felt petals, make sure the edges are lying flat and not curling up.
If you used a button, give it a gentle tug to ensure it’s firmly attached before you move on.
Finally, you can sew daisies onto your project and then add a few leaves using a similar green stitch to complete the look.
Creative Ways to Use Your Sewn Daisies
Now that you know how to sew daisies, the possibilities for using them are endless.
You can sew daisies as a border along the hem of a skirt or around the neckline of a simple blouse.
They also look adorable scattered on a child’s backpack, on the corner of a kitchen towel, or even on a plain pair of canvas shoes.
If you’re making a gift, you can sew daisies onto a handmade card or a simple drawstring bag.
And if you want to make a statement, you can sew daisies all over a jacket to create a field of flowers.
You can also make a cluster of daisies and attach them to a hair clip or a brooch pin for a cute accessory.
1. Mixing Colors and Sizes
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different thread colors when you sew daisies.
You can make classic white daisies with yellow centers, or go wild with pink, lavender, and orange petals.
Varying the size of your daisies adds visual interest, so try a big daisy in the center and smaller ones around it.
You can even sew daisies using variegated thread, which changes colors as you stitch, for a cool ombre effect.
2. Adding Leaves and Stems
To make your daisies look more realistic, you can sew some green leaves alongside them.
Use the lazy daisy stitch with green thread to make leaf shapes, or sew a simple straight stitch for a skinny stem.
You can sew daisies on a branch by stitching a brown line and adding small green dots along it.
These extra touches take your design from basic to beautiful.
So, How Do You Sew Daisies?
You can sew daisies by using a simple lazy daisy stitch, a straight stitch, or even a fast machine zigzag.
The key is to start with a clear center point and work outward to create even petals.
You can sew daisies with a button, a bead, or a French knot for the center, and you can attach them to almost any fabric surface.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned stitcher, you can sew daisies confidently with just a few minutes of practice.
So grab your needle, pick your favorite colors, and start sewing cheerful daisies on everything you own.
Happy stitching!