What You Need

24 gauge wire for flowers
26 gauge wire for bows
1 small flower- usually a bud
1 middle flower- carnation or mum
1 large flower- use a mum because calyx of carnation cannot be covered
Leatherleaf
Ribbon
Corsage pins, bag, spray solution

Tips:    *If a carnation is too large, carefully remove a few petals from around the outside.

            *Cut all stems to a thumb’s width.

Wiring Methods - use 24 gauge wire

Pierce Method:  used for flowers with a large calyx, such as carnations or roses
                        ◦Pierce through the side of the calyx.
                        ◦Bend the wire down, parallel to the stem.
                        ◦Tape from the calyx all the way down the wire

Hook Method:  used for flowers without a large calyx, such as mums and daisies
                        ◦Push wire up the stem and through the flower head
                        ◦Make a hook above the flower head, about ½ inch long
                        ◦Tape from as close to flower head as possible all the way down the wire

Putting it All Together

            ▪Wire and tape all 3 of your flowers.
            ▪Tape the smallest flower, middle flower, and leatherleaf together.  Start as high as possible and work your way down.

            ▪Tape 2 or 3 smaller leaflets of leatherleaf to the large flower.

            ▪Tape the large flower together with the small and middle flowers.

            ▪Make sure your placement is correct
                        ▫Smallest flower at the top.
                        ▫Middle flower lower and to one side.
                        ▫Largest flower lower than middle and to the other side, in a zigzag pattern.
                        ▫Tape the bow along with the flowers  It should form a focal area near the largest flowers.  Don’t place it back too much or sticking out too far.
                        ▫The corsage should lay flat.

            ▪Bow Making
                        ▫Make the center loop with the desired side of the ribbon showing.
                        ▫Make the first twist.
                        ▫Make a 1 ½  to 2 inch loop and twist again at the center.
                        ▫Continue making loops and twists until the desired number of loops is made, keeping the loops the same size and twists in the center.
                        ▫After the last loop, make a final twist and make streamers
                        ▫Wire with 26 gauge wire.
                        ▫Twist wire and pull tightly
                        ▫Cut the ends of the streamers

*Tip for bow making: practice, practice, practice!

            ▪Be sure to finish the stems!
                        ▫Straight
                        ▫Curled
                        ▫Oval
                        ▫Pig’s tail
                        ▫Garden

            ▪Packaging your corsage
                        ▫Place one pin into the finished corsage—don’t leave the sharp end exposed!
                        ▫Spray solution into a corsage bag.
                        ▫Place corsage in bag and close bag with another pin.

A finished corsage!