How to Make Felt Poppies

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Inside: How to Make Felt Poppies

Do you know why people wear red poppies? The poppies are worn in honor of fallen soldiers. Learn how to make simple red felt poppies to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

The book The Singing Tree by Kate Seredy is set during World War I. It was during this conflict that the idea of wearing a red poppy to honor fallen soldiers began.

Felt poppies are simple to make and the perfect craft project to accompany this wonderful story and other WWI reading. All you need are a few simple supplies and a little bit of time to make dozens of these remembrance flowers.

How to Make Felt Poppies

The first step is to gather a few supplies. We’ve also included a FREE Poppy Template (see Step #1 below to get your template).

Supplies:

FREE Poppies PDF Template
Red Felt Square
Black Felt Square
1/2″ Black Button (optional – for poppy center)
Yellow Thread
Hand-sewing Needle
Scissors
Pen or Marker
Safety Pin

Step 1: Get the FREE Poppies Template

We’ve created a simple Poppy Template that you can download for free. To download the FREE Poppy Template, click the button below. You’ll be taken to the Freebies section of our Shop.

>>> Click here for the FREE Poppies Template!

Step 2: Cut out Poppy Shapes

Print out the Poppy Template
Cut out 1 large poppy to use as a template
Cut out 1 small poppy to use as a template
Cut out one black poppy center to use as a template (Note: Skip this step if using a button)

Step 3: Trace Poppy Shapes

We recommend you make several felt poppies at a time. You can fit quite a few on one felt square.

Using the large poppy template and a pen or marker, trace several large poppies onto the red felt.
Using the small poppy template and a pen or marker, trace an equal number of small poppies onto the red felt.
Using the poppy center template and a pen or marker, trace an equal number of small poppy centers onto the black felt. (Note: Skip this step if using a button)

Step 3: Making the Poppies

Cut out as many poppy shapes as you desire.
Layer the small poppy shape over the large poppy shape.
Place either a black dot (see Template) or 1/2″ button in the center.
Attach layers together using yellow thread.

Note: We are using buttons for the center in this demonstration, but the template includes a circle shape that you can cut out.

Pro Tip: Use a piece of tape to hold the button or small dot in place when hand sewing.

Step 4: When to wear your poppy!

Traditionally, poppies are worn in the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Belgium, Australia, and New Zealand on November 11th. This day is known as Remembrance Day and commemorates the signing of the 1918 armistice.

In the United States, poppies are worn on the last Monday in May, Memorial Day. The US celebrates all living veterans on Veterans Day (November 11th) and honors fallen soldiers on Memorial Day.

Wear your poppy by using a safety pin to attach it to your lapel.

Explore World War I

This is one of the hands-on projects included in our book guide for The Singing Tree, a wonderful story set in World War I Hungary. With our guide, you will…