Floral Simplicity

Basic Wire Designs

Presented byJanine Morgan & Klair Scattergood

Creating Buttonholes

By the end of this presentation you will know and understand :-

How to wire and stem- tex different types of choice flowers

How to wire basic leaves and foliage How to create a simple but creative

Carnation Buttonhole from Start to Finish

Stem-tex Wire Practice

Stem-tex is wrapped around wired materials to seal stems and cover the mechanics. This green tape is stretchable and tacky, it helps the production wired designs.

When Stem-texing delicate items use scissors to strip tape so its half width. This helps to prevent bulkiness in the design and is high standard practice.

You will need:-1. 14’’ .90mm gauge wire2. Stem-tex

Have a go with half width tape, attempt to get a fully covered, smooth, tight finish

Wiring Basic focal flowersDifferent types of flowers need different

wiring techniques to strengthen and help flexibility

Following are 3 examples of wired flowers:- Gerbera – Hook method, with stem

wrapped support Carnation – Wired through the Calyx, with

stem wrapped support. Rose – Pinned through the sepals, then

wired through the Calyx with stem wrapped support.

Wiring Focal Flower 1Gerbera

You will need:-1. A Gerbera2. 14’’ .90mm gauge green wire3. A length of Stem-tex

Gerberas have a hollow stem. They can be wired through the base of the shortened stem. A hook is then created, the wire is secured and full width stem-tex is used to seal moisture and secure the wire.

Wiring the Focal Flower 2Carnation

You will need:-1. A Carnation2. 14” .90mm gauge green wire3. A length of Stem-tex

Carnations are hardy flowers perfect for beginners. The method demonstrated is the ideal practice method for wiring techniques used on other more expensive flowers such as roses and freesia.

Carnations have Nodes “bumpy stems” When cutting always cut above the node.

Wiring the Focal Flower 3Rose

You will need:-• A Rose• A few rose pins:- These can be made from 7”.46mm gauge silver

wire.• 14” 90mm gauge green wire• A length of Stem-tex

These flowers are pinned. This helps to keep green sepals/outer leaves out of the way and also prevents petals from “blowing” open or “blooming”

Wiring Foliage

Different types of foliages are wired using different techniques. This helps strength and flexibility.

Foliage leaves are taped in half width stem-tex for neatness and to save bulk.

4 Buttonhole foliages are wired as examples Ruscus Ivy Tree Fern Looped Bear Grass with threaded

Hypericum Berries

Wiring Foliage 1Ruscus

You will need:-1. A Ruscus leaf2. 7” .46mm gauge silver wire3. A length of half width Stem-tex

When wiring foliage, aim to have one short wire, the same length as the stem, and one longer wire, for coiling and Stem-texing.

Wiring Foliage 2Ivy

You will need:-1. An Ivy Leaf2. 7” 0.46mm gauge silver wire3. A length of half width Stem-tex

The ivy leaf technique is very similar to the one you have just seen used on the Ruscus leaf

Wiring Foliage 3Tree fern

You will need:-1. Tree fern2. 7” .46mm gauge silver wire3. A length of half width Stem-tex

Tree fern should be split into individual fronds so that it can be recompiled. This makes it easier to handle.

Bending Wired Leaves

Once the leaves are stitched and wired it supports and helps flexibility.

Leaves can be bent and shaped once they are wired, this can help to create the design with ease and interest.

For stronger, thicker leaves use stronger thin green wires.

For longer, slender leaves use thinner long green wires

Wiring Foliage 4 Looped Bear grass with threaded

Hypericum Berries You will need:-

1. Some Hypericum Berries2. A strand of flexible Bear Grass3. A length of Stem-tex4. A 7” .46mm gauge wire to create a hole in

the berry ready for threading.

This can be used to add interest to your foliage

Producing a Carnation Buttonhole

You will need:– A standard Carnation– x2 wired Tree Fern sprigs– x2 wired Ivy leaves– x2 wired Ruscus leaves– X1 wired looped Bear grass with

threaded Hypericum berries.– 14” .90mm green and 7” .46mm silver

gauge and wires.– A roll of Stem-tex

Wiring Your Buttonhole

Putting the wired focal flower and foliages together then Stem-texing.

The overall procedure of wired designs is simple; the design is created using foliages and materials to enhance not overpower the focal flower and incorporate interest and detail.

Finishing Off Your Buttonhole

How to finish & pin your buttonhole

You will need:-• x2 corsage pins• Gold bullion wire• A round item for twisting wire stem

e.g. a clean round stem

Always aim for a professional and contemporary finish to your buttonhole

Ideas for Buttonholes Experiment with different types of flowers

and foliages to create your own eye-catching designs.

Neatness and workmanship are the key to a good standard buttonhole along with

Be warned wired designs take time, practice and patience.

The following examples were all created using the techniques you have just learned

Please stay tuned forour Bonus Feature

Tools – In Depth

Created & Produced byNewcastle Under Lyme College

Module Q Project TeamBob Gerrard

Janine MorganKlair ScattergoodGraham Tinsley

Liz Wyman

Music written, created & produced byPaul Ritchings, Newcastle under Lyme College

© 2006 Newcastle Under Lyme College