If you are looking for a quick, simple, and meaningful craft project, this easy felt poppy brooch tutorial is a lovely place to start. Felt poppies are inexpensive to make, require only basic sewing skills, and can be used in several different ways. They work beautifully as handmade brooches, decorative flowers for a Remembrance wreath, or thoughtful craft items to make with a group.
I have not shared a craft project for a while, but I have plenty waiting to be written up. There is something especially comforting about spending a quiet afternoon or evening making something by hand. Like many people, I am usually short on time, so I prefer craft ideas that are quick, practical, and not too fiddly. These felt poppies are ideal because they come together quickly but still look effective and hold their shape well.
We are making these felt poppy brooches at WI to raise money for our local British Legion association. We are also using some of the poppies to decorate a wreath. This year, for the first time, we will be taking part in the Remembrance Day parade in our town on 11th November, so this project feels particularly special. If your school, community group, craft club, WI group, or family would like to make poppies too, this tutorial is easy to follow and suitable for batch making.
The idea began one afternoon at a friend’s house. The two of us wanted to work out a quick and reliable way to make strong felt poppies without too much fuss. Felt is perfect for this kind of project because it does not fray, so there is no need to sew hems or finish the edges. The flowers also needed to be sturdy enough to keep their shape and to support a brooch fastening on the back.
Another important part of the design was keeping the cost low. These poppies are very budget-friendly, especially if you are making several at once. Each brooch uses only a small amount of red and green felt, plus a black button and a brooch back. You will also need a needle, thread, scissors, and something round to use as a cutting guide.
How to make a Poppy Brooch
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- Cut out four circles of red felt. I used a 2 1/4 inch scone cutter as my size guide, but you can use any similar-sized round object, such as a glass, small bowl, or template. Try to keep the circles roughly the same size, but do not worry if they are not perfect. Felt is very forgiving, and small differences will not show once the poppy is assembled.
- Fold each red felt circle in half, then fold it in half again to create a petal shape. Add a couple of small stitches in the corner of each folded piece to help it hold its shape. These stitches do not need to be beautiful or complicated, as they will be hidden in the centre of the poppy.
- Sew the folded edges of two circles together, working just above the corner. Repeat with the remaining two folded circles, then join both pairs together to form the full poppy shape. A few firm stitches in the centre are enough to secure the petals. Make sure the petals sit evenly around the middle so the finished flower looks full and balanced.
- Sew through the centre of the flower to attach a black button. The button creates the classic centre of the poppy and also helps hold all the layers firmly together. Stitch through the button several times so it is secure, especially if the poppy will be worn as a brooch.
- Cut two simple leaf shapes freehand from green felt and attach them to the back of the poppy. Place them so they overlap slightly, with the tips showing behind the red petals. If you are making a felt poppy brooch, sew or glue a small circle of green or black felt over the back to neaten it, then attach the brooch fastener securely.
These handmade felt poppies are also perfect for creating a Remembrance wreath. We are part way through making one using the same poppy design. For the wreath, we have not added leaves to every flower, as many traditional poppy wreaths focus mainly on the red blooms. This also saves time if you are making a large number of flowers.
To make the wreath, we wrapped strips of black felt around a polystyrene wreath base, securing them with a small amount of glue and pins. Once the base was covered, we added the poppies by pushing a pin through the bottom of each flower and into the wreath. This method makes it easy to position the poppies closely together and adjust them as needed. You can place the flowers in neat rows or cluster them more naturally, depending on the look you prefer.
This is a simple and thoughtful felt craft that can be made by beginners, children with supervision, or experienced crafters who want a quick project. Whether you make a single poppy brooch to wear, a batch to sell for charity, or a full wreath for Remembrance Day, the finished result is meaningful, attractive, and easy to adapt.
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