The key to realistic-looking felt flowers is dimension. Dimension, or depth, can be achieved with adding shape by seaming, or folding the felt, or by shading. I am always amazed at how realistic felt flowers can look, especially knowing that they started as a flat piece of felt. I use an old flatiron hair straightener to put creases in petal. Watercolor paint, fabric markers, and pastels all can be used to heighten the illusion and make the flowers look real. The color gradation on these lilies is from pastels, and the small dots are fabric marker. All combined, they really make the flowers look real! What do you think?
Both pastels and ironing have helped given dimension to this flower.
Lilies and cherry blossoms