Coffee is almost the perfect waste-less product. I drink the coffee, repurpose the coffee can and use the grounds, but the snag always came down to the filter, until recently when I had a caffeine induced inspiration. I was crafting my normal hand sewn fabric flowers when I took a small coffee break. While cleaning the pot, I noticed how the filter has a bit more give and was a little more forgiving than regular paper, almost like a stiff gauze. So for the next few days I saved my coffee filters and the next time I sat down to play around with a new possible flower technique I used the coffee filters instead of fabric. I was very pleased with the outcome and especially liked the color and texture of the dried coffee filter. I made this flower into a brooch but they would also make nice present toppers instead of bows. Tools & Materials
Nine fluted coffee filters, used, with grounds discarded Ruler Decorative scrapbooking scissors, with scalloped edge Sewing needle and cream-colored thread One large button Hot glue gun Square of felt (enough to make a circle, 3” in diameter) Jewelry pin of your choice Russian netting or tulle (optional)
Next » After brewing a pot of coffee, remove the filter and gently clean away coffee grounds. Lay filter on a flat surface to dry. Repeat until recommended quantity is achieved. Then take the filters and fold them in half. On five of the filters, mark a spot 2.75” from the center of folded edge of the filter using a ruler. On the remaining four filters, mark a spot 2” from the center folded edge. Take the scalloped scissors and cut the folded filters into semicircles, using the marks as a guide. Leave the filters folded. Next » Along the folded edge of each of the larger (2.75”) cut filters, use a gathering stitch to string all four into a long line. Next » Pull the string, scrunching the filters into petals. Next » Bring the string full circle, stitching both ends together and tie off. Repeat using the remaining five 2” semicircles. Next » Cut a piece of felt into a circle, 3” in diameter and attach pin to felt with hot glue. Next » Use the hot glue gun to adhere the felt to the back of the larger ring of petals. (OPTIONAL: If you would like to add netting, or other embellishments, glue it in place to the back of the flower.) Next » Take the smaller petal ring and carefully glue it to the top of the larger flower base. Next » Glue a large button to the center to finish. Next » Enjoy your new broach! We’d love to see your take on this project. Please share your coffee filter creations in the comments.
