floralarranging101.pdf

As you can imagine, Matt and I have visited many homes over the past several years. In those visits, we’ve discovered that there is one accessory added to a home that always, and I mean always, makes an impression. That accessory is floral arrangements.

These arrangements don’t have to be fresh flowers if you don’t like the constant maintenance. Dried and silk arrangements are just as impressive.

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n fact, silk flowers today are so realistic that sometimes it’s almost impossible to tell the fake from the real. Artificial flowers have come a long way from the old days of plastic blooms and are actually made from cotton, rayon, or polyester fabrics.

So, I guess the term silk flower is a bit of a misnomer! As for the stems, there are several types and the least expensive is plastic. Better quality stems are hand wrapped with floral tape which provides a more natural appearance. Pliable stems made with wire are even more realistic looking, but can be quite expensive. However, creating your own floral arrangement is much less expensive than having a professional make one for you, so let’s get started! 

Materials List:

• Container
• Floral adhesive or glue gun
• Floral foam
• Serrated knife
• Spanish moss
• Greening pins
• Artificial flowers

Tip:

Choose a suitable container for your arrangement. Urn shaped containers are a great choice for large floral displays, but don’t feel pressured to go traditional. Try large chests, wooden boxes, hat boxes, watering cans, etc. The more creative you are, the happier you’ll be with your creation!

Instructions:

 1) Start by preparing the container. Size your floral foam to the size of your container using a serrated knife. Build up the foam to come about 1” above the top of the container. Use the hot glue gun to hold the pieces together and in place in the container.

2) Cover the foam with spanish moss and secure it with a couple greening pins.

Tip:

When you select your flowers, choose a variety of different textures to give the arrangement interest. Consider color as well so the arrangement works nicely in your room.

As you shop, remember that you are trying to select line flowers that stand tall and have many blossoms close to the stem, also some large flowers that are your focal flowers, secondary flowers that are smaller or less vibrant, and filler flowers that can include berries, branches, leaves, or tiny buds like baby’s breath.

3) IMPORTANT! Before hopping right in and arranging the flowers, spend the time to open all them by unfolding each one from the bottom and shape the leaves and petals as naturally as possible. This will make a HUGE difference in the finished appearance of your arrangement.

 4) Now you can start arranging! Keep in mind, that for the best proportion, the arrangement should be about 1-1/2 times the height and width of the container. In order to create this proportion, start by inserting the line flowers. Line flowers will stand tall and are inserted first, both horizontally and vertically to create a fan shape. If you don’t want to use “line” flowers and want a more rounded floral arrangement, start with the focal flowers to create your arrangement’s silhouette.

5) More Arranging! Whether you use line flowers or not, the main flowers in the arrangement are called the focal flowers. They will be the flowers noticed first. Place the focal flowers of the arrangement strategically in the middle areas facing all sides. In this arrangement I used 5 sunflowers as my focal flowers and they really do make a statement!

6) Once you are satisfied with their locations, fill in the empty space with the secondary flowers that are either smaller or less vibrant. My secondary flowers are large hydrangeas, but they are very muted in color so they work just fine filling in and not distracting from the sunflowers.

7) Finish with the filler flowers, which are usually small multiple flowers that are lacy and add texture. Filler flowers are also called transitional flowers because
they are used to fill in spaces between the line flowers and the focal flowers. Stand back often as you insert the filler flowers to check the symmetry of the arrangement and make any necessary adjustments. My first filler “flower” was eucalyptus in autumn shades and it filled the arrangement up nicely.

More Tips:
*If any of the silk flowers become loose, they can be secured with hot glue.

*If the edges of silk leaves become frayed, they can be seared with a match.

*With care, silk floral arrangements can last for years. To prevent
fading, try to protect your arrangement from direct sunlight.

* To dust off your arrangement, use a feather duster or hair dryer on a “no heat” setting.

*Commercial silk flower cleaners can also be used.

*If, after time, your arrangement seems a bit droopy, use a clothes steamer or steam iron to help perk up your arrangement.

As you can see, I also added some branches with berries and a wheat-like filler to give my arrangement even more texture. One of the great things about this arrangement is that it is in the colors of several rooms in my home. It looks great here in the family room, but I moved it to the bedroom and I love it in there, I have a spot in the foyer for it, and even on the dining room table. I love versatility because I am constantly changing things around to get a fresh new look, and a floral arrangement like this one is the perfect accessory for just that!!

Shari

Comments (7)

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written by edie, July 30, 2009

I still have one of the crafts you did on HGTV. It is dried flowers in a paper bag anchored by sand. I think I should replace the flowers now but I have always love this.

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written by Shari, July 30, 2009

Hi Edie,

I almost forgot about that one, it's been quite some time. Don't be surprised if you see this one appear on the site! Thanks for commenting!

Shari

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written by wattzy, August 26, 2010

Do you also work with artificial flowers? The website I'm involved with has written a couple of articles about them but we want to write more like your website.

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written by edie, August 26, 2010

I did work with them quite a few years ago and sold them (or tried to) at craft shows. I haven't done anything with them since then.

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written by Shari, August 26, 2010

All the flowers I work with are artificial. I don't know if the brand is Florabelle, but I purchase them at either JoAnn's or Michael's. I rarely work with fresh just because they don't last long enough!!

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written by etameca, October 07, 2011

Shari, this arrangement is lovely! I've always been terribly intimidated by floral arranging, but the way you've written this tutorial has made it easier for me to imagine myself creating one for my home. I really can't wait to go to Michaels and get my supplies together. What's interesting is that I've been eyeing a floral arrangement at Michaels that they're selling for $179, but there are so many other things that I could spend that money on for the house. Nope! I'm going to give it a go, thanks to your article.

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written by Shari, October 08, 2011

I hope it goes well for you, I always have fun working with silks - now real flowers...that's a different story!! Hahaha!

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