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11. TO WEAR

Can you make your own corsages ? - What novel combinations can you develope ?

Flowers not only beautify our surroundings, but have a great tend­ency to lift our spirit and brighten our appearance if we wear them. They are a principle accent in our attire for many occasions. A bride would look empty handed without her bouquet. There is a special glow in the eyes of a teenager when she receives her first corsage from a beau.

We need not always wait for an occasion to wear flowers. A dewy gardenia, bought on the spur of the moment can brighten an entire even­ing.

Corsages may be divided into two groups: Formal and Informal. Each has its place.

An informal corsage consists of a spray or two of flowers without floral tape or bow.   This type is worn during daytime activities.

A formal corsage usually has a bow and is always taped. It is worn at formal affairs, holiday celebrations, and other gala occasions throughout the year.

Examples of the two corsage types will be shown in this chapter.

To be a successful corsage maker, you must learn the proper pro­cedure. This first illustration will be thoroughly explained to give you a firm foundation for future attempts.

Rose Corsage Figure 64

Though a rose in itself is one of the most beautiful creations in the world, here is a way to further enhance its beauty by fashioning it with several of its kind into an ornamental work of art.

This project calls for the use of seven roses. You may, however, use anywhere from five to nine.

Cut the roses in the morning and put them in water to the calyx. Keep them in the refridgerator on the second shelf to harden them up.

Roses may be selected from the garden, keeping in mind that the buds are the beginnings of the corsage, with a gradual gradation in size toward the center, which is a full open rose. Nature grows her roses with this same gradation.   After making your choice of roses, select some of the foliage to set off the corsage. If you can not find the right sizes, you may make fuller roses by gently peeling back the petals at the bases, being careful not to bruise or tear them.

A - Select the roses

B - Remove stems just below the calyx. Cut some number twenty four wires in halves. Insert one end into the calyx of a rose and pull through to other side. Twist wires together, after bending them down away from the rose. This preparation provides a flexible and sturdy stem with which to work. An additional half wire may be used to strengthen the stem.

C - Taping. These procedures cover up the wiring process and leaves a smooth neat finish on the stem.

Select three perfect rose leaves; holding them stem inward against the calyx and starting with a small collar of tape, gently turn the rose and wrap the tape tightly and firmly around the stem with a downward motion.

Pipe cleaners may also be used as stems. Cut the rose in this case, to the base of the calyx, leaving no stem. Insert pipe cleaner up­ward into the center of the calyx.   Tape on rose foliage.

D - Roses numbered one, two and three are grouped together making two separate units. Do not crowd the foliage. Next attach the full open rose, number four, to your upper unit. Attach the lower unit; completing the corsage.

If you would like to add a ribbon, place it in the focal point which in this design is the center of the corsage. The ribbon is an accent­ing feature. It should add, not detract from the beauty of the roses, be careful to select your ribbon colors to contrast pleasantly with the color of the corsage. (Refer to Chapter XIII for instructions on making a corsage bow)

E - Diagram for placing of roses.

As a finishing touch, sprinkle a little water on the roses. This will give them a garden fresh, dewy appearance. Be careful not to wet the ribbon.

"Glamellia" Corsage Figure 65

A "Glamellia" is one full flower made of five or  more gladiolus florets.

A - Wire one gladiolus bud with number twenty four wire. (A rose­bud may be used also.)

B - Slip the first gladiolus floret on to the bud, as shown in step G.

C - Slip the second floret on to the bud. Use number twenty six wire to keep each floret in place.

Figure 65.   "Glamellia" Corsage

D - Place the third floret.   The larger petals are used last.   You may need more twenty six wire as it becomes larger.

E - Completed "Glamellia."   Take one half of a number twenty four wire and wind it around all of the other wires, making a complete stem.   Tape the wire.

F - "Glamellia" Corsage, using rose foliage, unopened gladiolus florets and a bow.   Foliage is attached to the two floret units by parafim and these units are taped to the "glamellia."

G – Procedure

Cabbage Rose Figure 66

A cabbage rose consists of one full rose which is built up with the petals of other roses into any size desired.

A - One healthy, medium sized rose with a nice bud center. Stem it with one half of a twenty four wire.

B - Two rose petals placed together.

C - Wire carefully with one half of a number twenty six wire. Any un­necessary pressure will bruise the petals. This illustration shows the method of piercing the hard vein of the petal and drawing the wire through to the other side.

D - Connect the petals firmly to the wire by gently twisting it. This may need some practice, but will not be too difficult when mastered.

E - Shape several groups of petals (as in D) around the center rose, following diagram G, and secure with string. Repeat the process, until the desired size is reached. The petals are not to be bent. To shape the cabbage rose, bend the wire only. The same strength­ening method is used in the cabbage rose as is used in the "gla­mellia"

F - Completed "cabbage" rose. Wire several separate groups of foli­age, then wire and tape them into one unit. Tape the entire unit to the "cabbage" rose.

G - Side view diagram of the design.

"Rosenia" Corsage Figure 67

Here is a novel combination of one gardenia and six rose buds.

A - Wire one rosebud with one inch remaining of the stem. Use num­ber twenty four or twenty six wire.   (One half)

B - Temporarily remove foliage from gardenia and insert rose stem through its center. If necessary, secure the rose to the gardenia with one half of a number twenty six wire.

C - Gardenia with rose center. Avoid all unnecessary handling of the gardenia.

D - Replace gardenia foliage.

Figure 67.     Rosenia" Corsage

E - Completed "rosenia" corsage, showing the addition of rose buds, foliage, and a nicely textured ribbon. The construction procedure is like that of the previously illustrated rose corsage.

French Carnations Figure 68 Try this carnation novelty.

1. - Full carnation.   Remove seed from center.
2. - Divide blossom with a sharp knife.
3. - Divide halves into quarters; forming each head into a little carnation.
4. - Wire each quarter gently with number twenty six wire.
5. - An additional number twenty six wire may be used to strengthen the stems.
6. - Tape each blossom with floral tape; forming a firm little collar directly under the flower.
7. - Closer view of a nicely formed quarter of a carnation ready for the corsage.  Follow this complete procedure with four carnations.
8. - Tape carnation stems which have been cut with the curlycue of foliage at the tips.
9. - French carnation corsage, consisting of one full carnation in the focal point, surrounded by tiny quarter carnations and foliage. The ribbon and gracefully bent stems add accent to this type of design.

Easter Parade Figure 69

Just the thing to accent that new Easter outfit.

A - A bunch of violets.

B - One full Easter lily.

C - Cut as illustrated.

D - Remove illustrated petal, pistil and stamens. Wire removed petal with number twenty six wire.

E - Remove violet foliage, arranging pistil and stamens in their center. Wire with twenty six and place in the center of the lily.

F - The lily petals are brought together forming a collar around the violets. Add the previously removed and wired lily petal. Streng­then the back by sewing through number twenty six wire. Add bow.

G - Diagram of design.

Wrist Corsage Figure 70

Here is an unconventional eye-catcher.

A - One carnation split into quarters.

B - Three rose buds.

C - Two half loop bows.

Figure 68.   French Carnations

Figure 69.   Easter Parade

D - Tape the bows to the three rose buds to form the focal point.

E - Bend as illustrated.

F - Tape two side carnation quarters.

G - Finish other side and trim stems with a wire clipper.

H - Tape the remaining wire ends, keeping in mind that a wrist cor­sage must be wired and taped as lightly as possible to insure com­fortable wearing. Tape a wire loop to each tip and tie the desired ribbon to each loop.

J - The loop bow created by the tied ribbon is an important part of your design.

You may use many combinations of flowers, foliage and ribbons in this manner.   Ornaments for the hair are similarly developed.

Three Tiny Bouquets Figure 71

These bouquets may be carried or worn as corsages in smaller adaptations. There are three types illustrated. For simplicity, the author has used only one flower variety in each bouquet; however, a blending of different colors and varieties would be quite attractive in this project.  Size depends upon the designer.

1          - Nosegay bouquet

A - Three full carnations

B - Carnations taped or wired together.

C - Design of outline - nosegay.

2          - Victorian bouquet

A - Three clusters of geranium blossoms.

B - Geranium foliage used as collar.

C - Design of outline - nosegay an colonial combination.

3          - Colonial bouquet

A - A bunch of sweetheart roses B - Lacy doily used as a collar.

C - Design of outline – colonial

Figure 71.   Three Tiny Bouquets

Winter . . . Cypress

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