My Hands Made It

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Some of you dear readers have asked for more instructions for my fancy fabric bouquets, and although it took me absolutely forever, I have finally made it happen.  Now go make yourselves some crazy awesome bouquets!

Materials Needed:

Polyester fabric (I used a combination of poly chiffon and linings – anything will work, but it must be polyester)
Floral wire
Needle and thread
Candle and lighter or match
Scissors
Styrofoam cone (I used a 6″ cone)
Feathers (if desired)
Felt (if desired)
Floral tape (if you’re desiring feathers and felt)
Tissue paper or fabric
Ribbon (if desired)
Straight pins

Step One: Begin by cutting four layers of fabric in a general flower shape.  I used three layers of pink and one layer of green (for leaves).  There is no need to make these perfect – the more oddball, the more natural they will look later.

Step Two: Light your candle and one at a time, gently hold each layer of your flower above the flame – focus on the edges and be careful not to get too close.  The heat will melt the edges and dimple the centers – play around with different techniques to create different shapes.

Step Three: Cut a small slash into the center of each layer (your flower petals) then curl the end of a length of floral wire – larger than the slashes.  Drop each petal onto the wire.

Step Four: Grip the petals around the curled wire and with your needle and thread sew a few stitches through all layers, securing your petals and creating a flower shape.

Step Five: To add feathers, simply wrap the end of each feather to floral wire using floral tape.  Couldn’t be easier and the feathers are so fantastic peeking out from between the flowers. For even more dimension, cut leaf shapes from felt and secure to wire with floral tape.  Gray felt makes a great faux Dusty Miller.

Step Six: Insert your flower, feather and leaf stems into the flat end of your cone.  Wrap the cone in tissue paper or fabric (a vintage hankie would be crazy cute) and secure with straight pins.  If you wish, add ribbon, also securing with straight pins.

Not too bad, huh?  The flowers are a little time-consuming, but they are also completely addictive.  And if it gets to be too monotonous, just keep thinking of all the money you will save.  I made five bouquets (and boutonnieres and corsages) for around $30.  Seriously.