How To Make An Easy DIY Fabric Cactus Succulent

I love succulents but have a really hard time taking care of them. I never know when to water them or how much water to give them,  and since I live in the north the lack of sunshine during winter always forces them to get leggy searching for more sun. 

I'm not going to give up on the real thing because I love plants, but I decided to add some easy-to-care-for faux fabric cactus to my home decor. By easy to care for I mean REALLY easy to care for - no watering or sunshine needed! I had a lot of fun making this fabric cactus so I put this tutorial together so you could make a few too!

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The cactus is made from cotton fabric but honestly, you could use almost any kind of fabric. I don't recommend knit, jersey, or super light or delicate fabrics though. You don't even need green-colored fabric if you want a colorful faux succulent. I chose to make mine from some olive green cotton fabric that I had on hand. 

 

How to Make a Cactus Pattern

Before I get to the tutorial I also want to mention that the shape of your cactus is totally up to you! I wanted a tall(ish) elongated cactus-shaped plant so I folded a piece of white printer paper in half, and just drew the shape I wanted, cut it out, and used it for my pattern. Since you are making a faux succulent the shape doesn't have to be perfect. Actually the more unique the shape the more real it will look! You just can't mess this part up (yeah!).

You will need the following supplies to make your own DIY fabric cactus succulent:

Supply list

• Paper (8.5" x 11)
• Cotton fabric
• Scissors (I prefer these PINKING SHEARS)
• Fiber-fill stuffing
• Wood skewers
• Flower pot (ceramic or terra cotta)
• Floral foam block
• Decorative stones
• Ribbon 
• Sewing machine & notions

Faux Fabric Cactus & Succulent Tutorial

Step 1  

Draw a cactus shape on the paper and cut it out. 

- optional - you could trace the pattern with chalk or lightly with a pencil if you prefer.

Step 2

Next fold your fabric in half to double the layer, pin the paper template to it then sew around the perimeter of your template. Repeat this step two more times. Use your pinking shears (or scissors) to cut around each of the sewn cactus shapes making sure to leave a 1/4" seam allowance around the perimeter of each shape. 

Step 3  

Lay all three sewn cacti pieces on top of each other. Mark the center and fold it in half pressing it with your hand. Open the stack back up then sew down the creased center line. (My favorite pinking shears in the pic below! I love those scissors!!)

Step 4 

Stuff each of the six sections making sure to shove the stuff all the way to the top of each section.

- hint - use the wood skewers to help push the stuffing into the sections

Step 5 

Gently insert a wood skewer into three or four of the cactus sections pushing it to the top. You may have to adjust the fabric and stuffing so the wood skewer doesn't show through the fabric. 

Cut a block of the floral foam slightly larger than the inside of the flower pot. Then press the skewers into the center of the cut piece of floral foam. Trim any extra length of the wood skewers so that the base of the cactus is flush with the floral foam. 

Step 6

Carefully press the floral foam + cactus into the pot. It should fit snugly. Then spread decorative stones over the top of the floral foam to cover it completely. 

- optional - you can hot glue the stones together inside the pot to prevent them from falling out if you plan to move the pot around a lot. 

Step 7 

Tie a small piece of ribbon into a knot, then hot glue or stitch it to the top of your fabric cactus or along the edge to create cactus flowers. 

Congratulations you just made your very own low-maintenance succulent! Your new little faux cactus will thrive in any environment - sunny, dark, hot or cold! 

More Fun Faux Cactus Crafts -

If you enjoyed this tutorial check out my other cactus & succulent tutorial No-Sew Mini Plastic Egg Cactus Craft that requires no sewing and instead uses a mini clay pot and a plastic egg! This is the perfect craft for older kids, teens, and adults. 

Here is another cactus craft project you will love too! 

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