Making Silk Flowers: How to Do it Yourself

Making Silk Flowers: Peek at Technique to Do It Yourself

make-it-yourself silk narcissus tulip flowers

Ever wonder what would be involved in making silk flowers yourself, using readily available fabrics and household products to create amazingly life-like artificial flowers on your own? (Examples at right: silk flower Narcissus and Tulips made from scratch!)

Here’s a peek into the crafting techniques, materials and tools required to do it yourself.

Is it hard to do?
According to UK silk flower making expert Beryl Wasey, 'You do not need any special skills, just an interest in nature, an eye for colour, and the ability to handle a pair of scissors with moderate precision.'

Whew! Glad to hear that.

What materials and products are needed for making silk flowers?
More good news! You can easily obtain fabrics of cotton, polyester, crepe, silk and satin to make silk flowers. You can even use white cotton sheeting and dye it to any color desired.

Material of varying thickness, different textures and fabric facings can produce different effects. In general, a starch coating is applied to the fabrics, which are then formed and shaped.

Besides fabrics, you will need a handful of readily available items for your silk flower making project:
- Scissors
- Wires
- Wire cutter
- Plastic tubing
- Cornstarch
- PVA glue
- Paintbrush
- Sewing thread and needle
- Clear fast-drying glue
- Foam rubber matting
- Cardboard
- Floral tape
- Spoon and fork for marking and shaping fabric

(*There are tools specifically designed for making faux flowers, but you can experiment with household cutlery for creasing, curling, and making veins and markings.)

Where can I find complete instructions for making my own silk flowers at home?
This is your lucky day! Beryl Wasey seems to be the only source I could find on this subject, and she tells all in her book called...

'Making Silk Flowers'
Making Silk Flowers book She also offers a VIDEO and the special TOOLS to help you make silk flowers. She's thought of everything for you!

These are available at her website,
http://www.makingsilkflowers.co.uk.

If you have your heart set on making silk flowers yourself, I hope the tips in this article have helped you on your way to artificial flower making happiness. :-)

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