Make a Floral Headdress

A floral headdress is ideal for weddings and for children's special occasion parties. Here are the instructions for making a floral headdress. This example uses roses, ivy and snowberries and is suitable for flower girls.

Steps

 * 1) Cut the floral elements:
 * 2) * [[Image:Headdress2.png|160px|thumb|right]]Leave 1 cm (1/2") of stem for the roses.
 * 3) * [[Image:Headdress3.png|160px|thumb|right]]Remove all but 2 cm (3/4") of the stem of the ivy leaves.
 * 4) * [[Image:Headdress4.png|160px|thumb|right]]Cut the sprigs of berries at the base of the main stem. Leave 2 - 3 cm (3/4" - 1") of the woody stem.
 * 5) Wire the rosebuds:
 * 6) *[[Image:Headdress5.png|160px|thumb|right]]Pierce the rosebuds with a 15 cm (6") length of rose wire. Feed it completely through the bud at the halfway point.
 * 7) *[[Image:Headdress6.png|160px|thumb|right]]Holding the bud between the thumb and forefinger, with the wire sticking out of either side, gently bend both wires down, in line with the stem.
 * 8) *[[Image:Headdress7.png|160px|thumb|right]]Grab one piece of wire and wrap it around the stem and the other piece of wire 4 times. Repeat with all the rosebuds.
 * 9) Wire the ivy leaves:
 * 10) * [[Image:Headdress8.png|160px|thumb|right]]Turn the ivy leaf over. Stitch the rose wire through the leaf by the side of the vein.
 * 11) *[[Image:Headdress9.png|160px|thumb|right]]Gently form a loop with the wire, bending both wires along the line of the stem.
 * 12) *[[Image:Headdress10.png|160px|thumb|right]]Twist one wire around the stem and second wire. Repeat until all the ivy leaves are wired.
 * 13)  Wire the berry sprigs:
 * 14) * [[Image:Headdress11.png|160px|thumb|right]]Hold the berries with your thumb and forefinger.
 * 15) *[[Image:Headdress12.png|160px|thumb|right]]Place the wire behind the soft stems of the sprig of the snowberries.
 * 16) *[[Image:Headdress13.png|160px|thumb|right]]Gently bend the wire into a loop, bringing both ends down in line with the stem.
 * 17) *[[Image:Headdress14.png|160px|thumb|right]]Wrap one wire around the other. Repeat until all 12 sprigs of snowberries are wired.
 * 18) Make a wire circle:
 * 19) * Join two 20 cm (8") stub wires by twisting one end around the other.
 * 20) *[[Image:Headdress15.png|160px|thumb|right]]Twist the wire into the tape.
 * 21) *[[Image:Headdress16.png|160px|thumb|right]]To get the exact length of wire needed, measure the wire around the flower girl's head.
 * 22) *[[Image:Headdress17.png|160px|thumb|right]]Then make a hoop, twisting the ends of wire around each other to secure the circle.
 * 23)  Arrange the flowers:
 * 24) *Tape the ivy to the wire circle.
 * 25) *[[Image:Headdress18.png|160px|thumb|right]]Add the roses and the berries, making sure that they all face outwards. Position them using the ends of the wires.
 * 26) *[[Image:Headdress19.png|160px|thumb|right]]Alternate flowers, then berries, then ivy leaves.
 * 27) *[[Image:Headdress20.png|160px|thumb|right]]Repeat until the entire circle is covered, taping as you go.
 * 28) *[[Image:Headdress21.png|160px|thumb|right]]Cut off any extra wire.
 * 29)  [[Image:Headdress22.png|160px|thumb|right]]Place on your model. Place the headdress on your model, ensuring the fit and comfort.

Tips

 * Choose flowers and colours that match the theme of the wedding.

Warnings

 * Ensure that no wires are sticking out that might poke into the head of the flower girl.
 * Some people are allergic to ivy; substitute a different leaf if you know this to be the case. Ask first!

Things You'll Need

 * 24 small roses
 * 10 rose buds
 * 12 sprigs of snow berries
 * 12 ivy leaves silver rose wire
 * 20 gauge stub wire
 * Floristry stem tape
 * Scissors
 * A vegetable knife
 * A water spray

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Create a Wreath
 * How to Save Money on Your Wedding Flowers by Doing It Yourself
 * How to Tie a Clover Flower Chain
 * How to Choose Flowers for Your Wedding Day
 * How to Make Fairy Wings
 * How to Make a Crepe Paper Laurel Crown

Sources and Citations

 * VideoJug A video demonstration of making a floral headdress. Shared with permission.