How to Make Flowers Using a Vintage Flower Loom

cathy callahan, contributor

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Fluffed flower!

Cathy Callahan

How to wrap the material around the pegs in a figure 8.

Cathy Callahan

Detail of slant stitch.

Cathy Callahan

Fluffed flower!

Photo: Cathy Callahan

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I get lots of ideas for projects from vintage craft books and magazines. One day I ran across a copy of Swistraw and Flower Looms written in 1972 by LeJeune Whitney. As I looked at the pictures, I just fell in love with the flowers made on a small round loom using “Swistraw”—a brand name for a synthetic form of raffia.

Of course I just couldn’t wait to get started but soon found out that the supplies were no longer being produced. I then embarked on a mission to seek them out. One thing led to another, and I ended up with so many supplies I started assembling kits that I sell at craft fairs. So many people tell me that this craft brings up happy memories of their moms, grandmothers, or aunties making flowers on a loom.

For this how-to, I’m using the “Multi-Fleur” loom. It’s about 3-1/2 inches across and has two rows of pegs. The pegs are numbered 1–12 going counterclockwise. When you are first learning, it’s probably a good idea to follow the numbers, but honestly once you get the hang of it you don’t really need to.

You can use yarn, synthetic raffia, ribbon, string, even wire. I love the look of the vintage “Swistraw”—especially the colors and textures—but the synthetic raffia now marketed as gift ribbon is basically the same thing.

STEP 1
Starting with a 36-inch tail, secure the material in the notch near peg #7. Working counterclockwise, wrap your material around each of the outer pegs. You work in a figure 8 as you wrap the material around opposite pegs (1 to 7, 2 to 8, 3 to 9, 4 to 10, 5 to 11). Each time all the way around the loom creates one layer. Go completely around two to three times (i.e., two or three layers). Secure the end in the notch, leaving an 8-inch tail.

How to wrap the material around the pegs in a figure 8.

The first layer.

STEP 2
Repeat step 1, except do the inner pegs with a different color. One or two layers is good. This time you only need to leave 8-inch tails.

The second layer.

STEP 3 Backstitch
Using a long, sharp craft needle with a big eye, thread the 36-inch tail (from step one). Come up at space 11 and down through space 12, up space 1 and down space 12, up space 2 and down space 1, up space 3 and down space 2, and so on until you go all the way around. Make sure you go in between the petals and do not pierce the material.

Detail of backstitch.

Completed backstitch.

STEP 4 Slant Stitch
You should have ended up at space 1 from your previous step. Go over 3 spokes to the right and go in between the petal and come back up at space 12 (2 petals to the left), over 3 spokes, and down through the petal. Repeat all the way around, and complete the final stitch by going under the first slant stitch to create a continuous look.

Detail of slant stitch.

Completed slant stitch.

STEP 5
Turn the loom over, secure by knotting the tails, and snip off the excess. Gently remove the flower from the loom.

This is what the flower looks like right after you take it off the loom.

STEP 6
Fluff the petals as desired.

Fluffed flower!

Hope you enjoyed this tutorial!

I have some very exciting news - Clover has just imported the very cool "Hana-Ami" loom from Japan. You can make the flowers very simlar to the one I made here. You can pick one up for yourself at the Superbuzzy website.

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Comments (23)

athomewiththecat writes: I have just bought what I think is an antique flower loom from ebay, I was curious as to what it was.

Its about the same size as your green one but mine is metal with one set of spikes protruding out of the edge of the circle which can be retracted one flower is made.

Thanks to your instructions I can now use it.

Have you come across one like mine before ? The markings are "Eureka" and "Depose" and two "+" signs
Posted: 9:31 am on April 16th

Sheridanca writes: How great to find this article. I recently inherited a large amount of craft items from a dear friend whose mother had passed. Going through my newly acquired stash came across this loom. Thanks for giving me ideas as to how to use it.
Posted: 5:11 pm on October 31st

AmandaMac writes: I would like to get a hold of one of these looms Cathy. Are you still selling the kits? If so, where can I get one?
Posted: 8:21 pm on May 6th

chirpy writes: Thank you so much for putting instructions up here! My husband's granny had one of the looms but we thought it was a knitting frame! I've followed your instructions to decorate a scarf for my mum. Cheers :)
Posted: 1:12 pm on September 11th

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Posted: 3:09 pm on August 9th

sewstylingirl writes: I am going to try these
Posted: 8:54 am on February 13th

MOUMITA writes: OH GOD AT LAST I FOUND WHERE TO FIND THIS PRODUCT,... LAST 3WEEKS ..I WAS KEEP ON LOOKING FOR THIS PRODUCT BUT I COULDNT FIND.... THANKS DEARS...THANKS MISS CATHY TO SHOW LOVELY PROJECT....
Posted: 3:15 pm on April 26th

cathyofcalifornia writes: thanks for all of the tips of where to purchase.

looks like that there is now a much cheaper source for the looms - which are in fact still old stock and not a new production. the fact of the matter is that i have been severely undercut by someone selling the looms at a lower price than even my cost. as i have said i do provide a little more in my kits but it's difficult to compete.

i just want to say that it has always been my sincere intention to provide a source for a very cool vintage craft tool - i'm not making a million dollars - i cover my costs and time. i want to thank everyone in the craft community for their ongoing support.

thanks!

Posted: 3:35 am on September 29th

Sunshine114 writes: I Suggest everyone go to WDRAKE.COM to purchase a flower loom kit!!!

It is only $7.99!!!



Posted: 8:42 pm on September 28th

cathyofcalifornia writes: Thanks for checking out my tutorial I'm so glad that you enjoyed it! The things in my kits are vintage and no longer being made. Just like with everything else that's vintage, they can be found in many places and for various prices. My kits contain looms and an original instruction book as well as a resource sheet (sources for supplies, links for additional information, etc.) as well as a close up photo of some original vintage flowers so you can be inspired by vintage flowers!
Posted: 11:50 am on September 18th

sandollar writes: I found the looms at Walter Drake.com and they were $7.99 for a kit, with several size looms, crochet hooks, and needles along with instructions. Much cheaper........give it a try.
Posted: 7:35 pm on September 15th

mary_anna writes: Ooohhh! I can't wait to get my loom set in the mail (that I ordered from Cathy's etsy shop on Friday). I'm busily collecting ideas!!!
Posted: 10:18 pm on May 3rd

lling writes: Very clear instructions !
Posted: 10:02 am on April 11th

kmccloud writes: I love these flowers and as a Daycare provider, these are the projects the children and I will be working on for there Mothers Days presents.
Posted: 3:44 pm on March 17th

eveh writes: I am learning how to weave on a cardboard loom. These little flowers would be perfect to embellish one of my bags.
Posted: 5:52 pm on January 16th

trishdarling writes: I love the Bloom Loom! I sometimes make flowers with it for my knit hats!
Posted: 9:26 pm on September 22nd

BeadSpinner writes: What a fun and inspiring gadget! I could see using various fibers/yarns or colored wire with beads. The possibilities are endless. Thank you for sharing!
Posted: 1:36 pm on September 20th

cathyofcalifornia writes: thanks everybody!

i had so much fun doing this post. am so thrilled that you all are wearing clips and brooches made with the looms.
Posted: 12:13 pm on September 19th

LindaPermann writes: these are so cute. i love to make them with my yarn scraps.

and if anyone has a hard time finding a vintage one, most craft stores still sell these under the name of "bloom loom".
Posted: 7:40 pm on September 18th

MichaelaMurphy writes: I am so pleased to have purchased a kit at Renegade San Fran last summer! BTW, Jen Worick and I are headed to the Puyallup State Fair and I am going to wear my hair flower-she'll be so jealous. Thanks for this awesome how to!
Posted: 6:40 pm on September 18th

kaytet writes: i love these!
i was wearing my loomed flower hairpins yesterday!
Posted: 5:31 pm on September 18th

susanstars writes: I love your loomed flowers, Cathy - I'm wearing one of the brooches you made right now! :)
Posted: 4:05 pm on September 18th

VictoriaNorth writes: These are so great Cathy. Everyone here in the office wants to try this now. We might just have to buy ourselves a kit and make some flowers.
Posted: 3:56 pm on September 18th

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