In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

On Friday November 11th, 2016, we will commemorate Remembrance Day here in Canada (Veterans Day in the USA). People everywhere will be sporting a bright red poppy to remember those who have fallen. While most people will purchase a poppy from a young cadet outside a grocery store, I am not a fan of the sharp pins on them. I perpetually lose them and it is important to me to wear one on this day. 

DIY Felt Poppy

To solve my little dilemma, I decided to craft my own felt poppy. I pulled out my trusty Cricut Explore Air and a piece of red felt from my epic stash. I also found a black button, some black seed beads and a pin to attach. While you can buy pinbacks in any craft store, I dismantled an old button that doesn’t get any use and used the pin inside. It has a little hinge to ensure it will stay affixed to my jacket. You definitely don’t need a Cricut to make this poppy, it just speeds up the process.

What You’ll Need

• Red felt
• Black button with 4 holes
• Black seed beads (optional)
• Pinback
• Red thread
• Black thread
• If not using Cricut, download free template
• If using Cricut, you will also need:
  • iron-on, tear away stabilizer of your choice
  • Deep Cut Blade with Housing
  • StrongGrip Mat
  • Flower template (free in Cricut Design Space – #M35A3D – turn off the red inner flower)

Cricut Instructions 

(Non-Cricut instructions are further down the page)

You will first need to set up your canvas in Cricut Design Space. Simply search the images for #M35A3D and insert 2 of them. Adjust their sizing so one is 2.2″ and the other is 1.9″ – the larger is the bottom, the smaller is the top. You will also need a circle shape that is 0.85″. These will all be cut from red felt. 

Iron your tearaway stabilizer onto your felt and place the stabilizer side down onto your StrongGrip Mat. Insert the Deep Cut Blade and Housing into the machine. 

Set the dial to Custom and select Felt, With Backing from the list. You will need select Edit Custom Materials at the bottom. Find Felt, with Backing and change it to Deep Cut Blade and ensure it is set to cut 2x. Once this is set up, load up the mat and let it go! Once complete, tear away your stabilizer and it’s time to get sewing. See the steps below in the basic instructions.

Basic Instructions

First up, you’ll need to print out the free template. Cut out the three shapes on the page. Staple each to your red felt and cut out the shapes. Gently remove the staples and paper templates and discard.

Now that you have your two layers, you will need to do a blanket stitch around the edges of each of the flowers (leave the circle for now). 

Once your petals all have a beautiful edge, it’s time to assemble your felt poppy. Place a black button in the centre of the smaller layer then add your larger layer followed by the pin back. Using your black thread, attach all of these layers together with about 2 runs through each hole of the button, ensuring you are stitching in an X.

Before you tie everything off, this is when you add the seed beads if you choose. Simply come up through the first hole of your button and add about 3-4 seed beads then go down the opposite corner. Do this again for the other part of your X. Now you’ll want to run from side to side instead of in an X, doing 2 more rows of seed beads. If you want more or less, feel free to do this step to your liking. Once you’re happy with how it looks (you’ll have to fiddle with the beads a little bit so they sit just right), tie off your thread at the back near the pin.

Cover the base of the pinback with your circle of red felt. Carefully blanket stitch around the edge of the circle, attaching it to the bottom layer of the flower. 

You have just assembled yourself a beautiful felt poppy to wear year after year!