Handkerchief Flower Pins

My 99 year old great-grandma gave me a handkerchief one Christmas and I have been looking for a way to get some use out of it.  I had heard about making it into a pin/brooch and decided this would be a great way to get some use out of it.  This classic flower will be a great way to save it for years to come.

Here is what the end product will look like.  I plan to wear mine on Easter.

I wanted to try a few before I cut into my great-grandmas to make sure I know what I was doing.  I will show you how to make these two different sizes.  Don't worry these were a lot easier than I thought. 
1. You will need to iron your handkerchief flat.  I always use a spray starch designed for quilting.  It isn't as stiff and it will wear out on it's own without having to be washed.

2.You will need to make a 1 inch cut in the corner to start making your strip.

3.Start cutting a 1 inch strip all around the edge making sure not to cut it completely off.

4.Continue to cut until you reach the center.  You will end-up with one long piece of fabric with a width of 1 inch. 

5.Next you will begin to sew.  You will only need basic sewing skills to complete this project so don't be scared. Start where you made the first cut and start sewing a running stitch along the edge. You can start to gather the strip as you go.

6.After you pull the string tight to gather the fabric strip start rolling the center part.  Use the needle and thread to sew the center part together.  Keep rolling and stitching about every two inches.  Once the strip is gone you should have a fluffy handkerchief flower.

7.If you want a larger flower make your strip 2 inches in width like this one.

and it will end-up like this!

8.To complete the flowers add a piece of felt to the back and sew on a pin or a hair clip!  Enjoy your Handkerchief flowers!