How to Make a Corsage From a Hankerchief or Lace

A corsage can be as individual as the person wearing it, made from a variety of different materials. If you have a swatch of lace fabric or even an antique handkerchief, transform this snippet of fabric into a beautiful corsage. Using a handkerchief with sentimental meaning can make the corsage even more special. Make a corsage from a handkerchief or lace to help someone celebrate an important event.

Things You'll Need

• Laced-edge handkerchief or piece of lace (about 8 inches square)
• Scissors
• Silk flowers
• Wire cutters
• Green floral tape
• Hand-sewing needle
• Thread (color matching handkerchief)
• Corsage pin

Instructions

1. Find the center of the handkerchief or lace, and poke a small hole in the center with the tip of the scissors.

2. Select two or three silk flowers and trim off the stems to leave about 4 inches of stem extending from each flower. Place the flowers together, and wrap floral tape tightly around the stems from just under the blossoms to the ends to bind them together. Tear off the floral tape, and press the end of the tape firmly to secure it.

3. Insert the wrapped stems of the flowers through the center hole in the handkerchief or lace, and position the flowers, so they sit against the fabric and the stems protrude out from the back of the handkerchief or lace.

4. Cut an 18-inch length of thread, and thread the needle. Pull the ends of the thread through the needle until they are even, and tie a knot.

5. Gather the fabric of the handkerchief or the lace around the flowers loosely, and hold the fabric in place with one hand.

6. Insert the needle down through the topside of the fabric to the right of the flowers. Insert the needle back through the fabric, so it comes out from the other side of the flowers. Take similar stitches back and forth through the fabric to secure the gathers. Continue stitching until the handkerchief or lace fabric surrounds the flowers with pretty frills. Tie a knot in the thread, and clip the excess.

7. Pin the corsage with a corsage pin.

References

• "Creative Wedding Decorations You Can Make"; Teresa Nelson; 1998 (p. 68-69)