Corsages

Insertion method

This method can be used for flowers, such as asters, that have their heads firmly fastened to the stems. Use wire that is six to nine inches long and strong enough to hold the flower head erect. Cut the flower stem to about one inch in length. Push the wire inside the stem and up into the flower head. Tape the stem and wire tightly together.

Hook method

This method is used for flowers, such as daisies and mums that have hard, disk-like centers. Cut the stem to about one inch in length. Push a wire along or inside the stem until the wire emerges through the center of the flower. The wire should extend to about 1 ½ inches above the flower. Form a hook ½ to ¾ inches long and pull the wire back down into the flower. Make sure the end goes back though the base of the flower. Tape the stem, beginning at the base of the flower. Make sure you catch the hook in the tape.

Wrap-around method

The wrap-around method can be used with any flower, but it is especially effective for small flowers in bunches, such as baby's breath or statice. Cut the stems to 1 to 1 ½ inches. Wrap a light wire around the stems tightly. Bend the two wire ends parallel to the stem and tape.

Stitch method

This method works best with broad-leaf foliage. Cut the stem of the leaf to approximately ½ inch. Pierce the back of the leaf near the center rib. Make sure the wire is high enough on the leaf to gain control of the leaf, but not so high that the wire will show. Push the wire halfway through the leaf and bend the wire ends down. Wrap one wire around the leaf stem and around the second wire for extra security. Tape the stem.

Hairpin method

When support is needed high on the stems of multi-flowered stems or fern-like foliage, use the hairpin method. Bend a wire in half to form a hairpin. Straddle the hairpin over the stem near the center or top, depending on the amount of control needed. Pull the wire down until the bend of the hairpin rests on the stem. Wrap one wire around the stem and the second wire. Tape the stem.

Splinting method

This method is used primarily when creating a design that features the flowers' natural stems, such as a hand-tied bouquet or a design in a foam bouquet holder. The splinting method adds strength to the stems and allows them to be slightly bent for design purposes. Insert a full-length wire vertically into the base of the calyx. Loosely wrap the wire around the full length of the stem in a gently spiral. Trim any excess wire from the end of the stem. Tape the stem to cover the wire.

Taping a stem

Start at the calyx of the flower and wrap a piece of florist tape around the top of the stem and press it tightly into place. Stretch it as you pull it in a downward angle. Make sure the tape is stretched tightly so that it will not come loose.

Corsages may be worn on the shoulder or on the wrist, depending upon a person's attire, and the corsage should be proportionate to the size of the person wearing it. Choose your flowers carefully.

Flowers such as carnations, camellias, gardenias, and orchids make beautiful single-flower corsages. Materials needed: 1 flower head, 3 pieces of foliage (silk leaves do nicely), #26 wire, florist tape, 1 ½ yards #3 ribbon or lace.

1. Wire and tape a single flower and three pieces of foliage.
2. Place one leaf behind the flower so that the tip of the leaf extends about ½ inch above the flower. Tape the two stems together.
3. Arch the two remaining leaves slightly by bending the wires stitched through the leaves.
4. Position one leaf to the left and one leaf to the right of the flower. Tape the leaves to the stem.
5. Add wired and taped pieces of filler around the flower (if desired)
6. Add a bow to the base of the flower
7. Trim the corsage stem to a length of about 2 inches

For a double flower corsage use carnations, roses, or cymbidium orchids. Materials needed: 2 flower heads, 5 sprigs of foliage (fresh or silk leaves), #26 wire, florist tape, 1 ½ yards of #3 ribbon or lace.

1. Wire and tape two flowers and five pieces of

foliage. Wire and tape filler flowers if desired.

1. Hold a single flower in a vertical position and place the second flower just below it. Tape the two stems together.
2. Place the leaves behind the flowers so that about ½ inch of each leaf can be seen beyond the edges of the flowers. Tape the leaves into place.