Homemade Corsage

Did You Know?

Corsages were formulated at the turn of the century to accent the face of the wearer.

Method 1

Materials:

flowers of choice
scissors
24-gauge floral wire
floral tape
corsage wristlet with fabric backing

Steps:

1. Cut the flower to the size you want. You don't have to worry about cutting them underwater since the flowers are not going into a water source.

1. Melt hot-pen glue pellet (figure D)* in a heating pot or an electric skillet, according to the directions on the glue package.

2. Glue silk-flower leaves onto a plain wristlet (figure E) with hot-pen glue or floral adhesive.

3. Glue ribbon on top of the leaves.

4. Dip stems of the flowers directly into the melted glue in the pot or skillet (figure F).

* Floral adhesive offers immediate sticky results. Beveridge suggests using the hot-pen glue if you're a beginner. The glue doesn't adhere immediately, therefore making it is easier to move around the leaves a bit if you make a mistake. It comes in small tablets, which are heated until the glue melts, then the glue is applied with a pen-type instrument. Specialized heating pots are available at craft stores, or you can use an old electric skillet to heat the glue. Be sure to never again use the skillet for food if you choose to melt it this way.

Tips and Other Ideas

• Corsages should be worn with the flowers facing upward and any ribbons on the bottom half.

• The traditional way to wear a corsage is on the lefthand side.