How to Make a Silk Corsage

A carnation corsage is a perfect gift for the prom, Mother's Day, Valentine's day, a wedding or as an anniversary piece. Silk carnations keep the corsage from drooping and turning brown as a real one can. You can make a lovely silk corsage that is just as elegant as real flowers. You can easily exchange the carnations for roses, daisies or lilies.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Silk carnation
• Floral tape
• Wire cutters
• 4 5-inch pieces of florist wire
• Nylon net
• 2 1/2 foot long spool of corsage ribbon
• Corsage pin

1. 
    

   Cut the stem on the carnation leaving a 4-inch stem. Bend the stem forward slightly. Wrap it with floral tape to conceal the stem.

2. 
    

   Cut 2 strips from the nylon net. They should measure 5 inches by 5 inches. Fold the strips in half and cut down the fold. Pinch in the middle and push the end of one wire through the bottom of the net. Wrap it tightly with floral tape to create a puff.

3. 
    

   Place four puffs against the stem of the carnation. Tape to secure all four nylon puff stems to the carnation stem. If you are using more than one flower wrap the two stems together with floral tape.

4. Cut a 6-inch piece of corsage ribbon. Tie a knot in the center and set it aside.

5. 
    

   Pull about 12 inches of ribbon from spool. Pinch the ribbon 2 to 3 inches from the end. Twist ribbon and create a 1 1/2 to 2-inch loop. Twist and create a loop on the opposite side of the first loop. Twist and make a third loop next to the first. Make six to eight loops in total. Hold the loops pinched between your fingers of one hand.

6. 
    

   Wrap the set aside ribbon around the corsage bow with the knot in the front of it. Tie at the back of the bow to secure it.

7. 
    

   Tie the ribbon bow to the stem of the corsage just under the flower.

Tips & Warnings

• The stems of a corsage always point down when worn. You can add a piece of greenery by floral taping it to the carnation stem before adding the nylon net puffs. You can also add in wired sprays of pearls or rhinestones.