“Waste not, want not” — it’s an old saying, but at Tartan Chickadee® we live by it. Wool is precious, and every scrap tells a story. So, when we found ourselves with a bag full of leftover tartan pieces too small to sew, we knew throwing them away was simply not an option. Instead, we discovered a joyful solution: tartan flowers!  These little blooms are easy to make, wonderfully versatile, and add a cheerful pop of color to hats, scarves, or even your home. Best of all, this little trick works with almost any natural fiber fabric. Go on, dig into your scrap bag — you might just find it’s ready to bloom.

Here’s a clear, step-by-step tutorial to turn 10 oz worsted wool tartan scraps into lovely layered flowers. It’s perfect for hats, scarves, gift toppers, décor—basically anywhere you want a pop of tartan!

(Find the step by step video on our Instagram account!)

Materials

Wool tartan scraps (8 oz worsted)

Scissors

Mod Podge + water (mix 1 part water : 2 parts Mod Podge)

Lidded jar or bottle (for shaking)

Foam/bristle brush

Rimmed cookie sheet (1" lip) + parchment paper + large binder clips

Paper towels

Microwave (see notes)

Teflon/silicone pressing sheet or more parchment + iron

A rounded form (inverted mug, small bowl, bottle)

E6000® glue (use in a well-ventilated area)

Buttons for centers; pin backs/hair clips/felt circles for finishing

Safety notes: Keep all metal (binder clips, pan) out of the microwave. Fabric will be hot after heating—handle carefully.

Steps

Prep the tray
Line the cookie sheet with parchment and clip it to the rim with binder clips (this just keeps parchment flat while brushing).

Mix the stiffener
In a lidded jar, combine 1 part water to 2 parts Mod Podge. Shake vigorously.

Coat the fabric
Lay tartan scraps on the parchment. Brush on the mixture until evenly damp (both sides if needed). Aim for wet, not dripping.

Quick-dry & set
Lift each scrap onto a paper towel. Microwave 20–30 seconds to set the finish. (Microwaves vary—start low and add 10-second bursts.) Let cool—fabric should feel stiff yet flexible. Immediately remove the tartan from the paper towel and let it finish drying.
No microwave? Air-dry flat 6–12 hours.

Trace & cut
Stack 2–3 treated scraps. Trace (or freehand) three flower sizes—large, medium, small—then cut. One of each size makes one floral layer.

Shape the petals
Sandwich a flower between two pressing sheets (or parchment) and press with a hot iron 5–8 seconds. While warm, drape over a rounded form (mug/bottle) to create a gentle cup. Let cool. Repeat for each layer.

Assemble the flower
Stack large → medium → small, offsetting petals. Glue layers with E6000®; press lightly. Let set per glue directions (initial grab ~10 min; full cure ~24 hrs).

Finish & attach
Glue a button to the center. Add a pin back, hair clip, or a felt circle/stem depending on use.

Tips

Find our video on our Instagram page.

Make the stiffener in small batches to avoid waste.

For fuller blooms, add extra medium layers.

Keep edges clean by cutting with sharp scissors or pinking shears.

Enjoy turning tiny tartan leftovers into heirloom-worthy blooms!