How to Make Silk Flower Kissing Balls

Accent a Victorian-style wedding with beautiful homemade silk flower kissing balls. These romantic silk flower creations add a touch of elegance to the festivities, and are a quick and easy do-it-yourself project for a busy bride. They can be used for pew flowers, hanging reception decor or in place of bridesmaid bouquets. They also make a wonderful cake topper as an alternative to a novelty bride and groom statue. Choosing roses and ribbons that complement the bride's bouquet and wedding colors adds the finishing touch.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Craft wire
• Wire cutters
• 4-inch green floral foam ball
• 2-inch wide ribbon, 1-yard
• 36 silk roses
• Craft glue
• 1-inch wide ribbon, 2-yards
• Floral pins
• Silk ivy garland, 6-foot package

Instructions

1. Cut a 15-inch length of craft wire, using wire cutters. Wrap the wire around the center of a 4-inch green floral foam ball. Twist the ends of the wire at the base of the ball, leaving the ends free. The wire should be tight around the ball.

2. Cut a 1-yard length of 2-inch-wide ribbon. Fold the ribbon in half, matching the cut ends. Measure 6 inches down from the folded end and pinch. Separate the free ends of the craft wire wrapped around the green floral ball. Place the pinched ribbon over the separated craft wire.

3. Bring the wire ends together and twist them over the top of the pinched ribbon. Cut the excess wire using the wire cutters. The loop end of the ribbon is the top hanger of the kissing ball and the tail ends will hang down below.

4. Cut the stems of 36 silk roses down to 2 inches long. Apply a dab of craft glue to the cut end of a rose stem and insert next to the ribbon loop at the top of the kissing ball. Apply glue to two more stems and insert the stems around the loop. Separate the tails of the ribbon so that they hang down on each side of the kissing ball.

5. Continue to apply glue to the remaining silk roses and insert them around the ball, working from the top to the bottom. Cover the ribbon on the sides of the ball as you go. The tails will hang down from the center bottom of the kissing ball after it has been completely covered in silk flowers.

6. Cut 16 pieces of 1-inch-wide ribbon, 4 inches long. Fold one ribbon piece in half, matching the cut ends. Twist the cut ends together a 1/2 inch from the end. Place a floral pin over the twist and insert the pin between the roses and into the ball. The loop from the ribbon will stick up next to the roses. Repeat for the remaining 4-inch ribbon pieces, randomly spacing four on each quadrant of the kissing ball.

7. Cut 12 lengths of ivy garland, 4 inches long. Apply a dab of craft glue to the ends of the ivy stems and insert them randomly around the silk flower kissing ball, allowing the excess to stick up next to the roses.