Make Your Own Corsage or Boutonniere

Prom season will soon be here and many students will be dressing up for their big dance. While corsages and boutonnieres can add a nice finishing touch to your outfit, the prices charged by florists can really add up. Especially when your whole group wants matching flowers. However, it is actually quite possible to design and create your own corsage or boutonniere at home for a lot less money. Here are some simple step-by-step instructions for how to craft your very own corsage or boutonniere with affordable store-bought materials.

Choose your Flowers

The first step is deciding what flowers you want to use. Popular choices include roses, carnations, baby’s breath, and lilies. You will need at least 4-6 small-sized flowers per arrangement. Make sure to pick flowers that have not begun to wilt and still have sturdy stems. You can purchase flowers individually at craft stores, grocery stores, or florists in Shippensburg PA.

Gather Supplies

In addition to your chosen flowers, you will need basic floral supplies such as: floral tape, baker’s twine or ribbon (for corsages), hair pins or boutonniere pins, and greenery like ferns or baby’s breath. You can find all of these supplies in craft stores or online. Floral tape is used to connect and wrap the stems together. Baker’s twine or ribbon creates a loop to fasten corsages around the wrist. Pins are used to secure boutonnieres to clothing. Greens add extra texture and visual interest.

Create a Basic Wreath Shape

Whether making a corsage or boutonniere, you will begin by arranging the flowers in a wreath shape. Take one flower and wrap floral tape around the stem near the base. Then add a second flower by overlapping the stems and wrapping them together with more tape. Continue adding flowers one by one, wrapping the stems as you go, until you form a loose circular shape. For corsages, the wreath shape can be larger since it will wrap around the wrist. Boutonnieres have smaller wreath shapes that fit on the lapel.

Add Greens

Once you have a basic wreath shape started, begin inserting greens like ferns or baby’s breath into the arrangement. Cut the stems of greenery shorter than the flowers. Distribute them throughout the wreath, tucking stems under and around other flowers. This adds fullness and dimension to the design. Use small pieces of floral tape to hold any greens that are not staying in place on their own.

Complete the Wreath

Now finish wrapping and shaping your wreath design. Gently push and maneuver the flowers and greens so they lay flat and fully cover the backing. Continue wrapping the entire arrangement with floral tape, sealing and hiding all the cut stems inside. Trim any excess tape. For corsages, add a loop of baker’s twine or ribbon for attaching around the wrist later. Boutonnieres are complete once the wreath shape is fully wrapped and secured with tape.

Consider a Corsage pin-back

As an optional step, you can create a pin back for corsages out of floral tape. Cut a 6-inch piece of tape. Fold it in half lengthwise and pinch it together at one end to form a small loop. Pin or tape this loop to the back of the corsage. This allows the finished corsage to be easily pinned to the dress. Or you can continue to just wrap the loop of ribbon or twine around the wrist for wearing.

Add Decorative accents (optional)

You can dress up your basic wreath design even more by including extra decorative accents if desired. Consider pearls, crystals, or small decorative pins tucked into the arrangement. Thin ribbon woven through the stems also adds pattern. Get creative with any extras on hand to personalize each corsage or boutonniere further.

Display and Store Properly

When finished, show off your homemade corsages or boutonnieres by modeling or displaying them. Be sure to store completed pieces in a lidded container lined with paper towels until you are wearing them. Keep them refrigerated to maintain freshness. Remember that events like prom only happen once in a lifetime, so if you don’t think you can make the boutonniere or corsage yourself, contact a local Newville, PA florist.

It is easy to brighten someone’s day with fresh plants, a gift basket, and flowers in Shippensburg PA from Fisher’s Florist. Simply take a few minutes to browse our site and place your order online today. Fisher’s Florist promises quality products and service for any occasion – order today!