How to Make an Iris From Ribbon
- 1). Cut the the green 7/8-inch wire in half to make two leaves for the flower, giving you two strips of 12-inch ribbon.
- 2). Fold ribbon in half to make a 6-inch length for each leaf. Fold each corner at a right angle, making a point at each end. Using a running or gathered stitch, sew along the folded corners of the short edge of each ribbon. Gently pull the thread to further bunch or "gather" the ribbon, which will form the point of the leaf, and tie off the thread to hold the stitching in place. Open the ribbon between the ends and you've created two leaves.
- 3). Cut 1 1/2-inch-wide purple ribbon into 8-inch lengths. Make three petals using the light edge and three petals using the dark edge. You may choose to pattern the outer edges of the petals by rounding them using the scissors in an irregular design. It may be useful to have a real iris petal or a photo as a guide. You can also fashion the petals into irregular rounded ends by bending the wire. A little of both usually produces the best effect.
- 4). Cut three 2-inch pieces of "bump" chenille. Using the glue gun, glue one side of the chenille lightly and center the "bump" over the seam of the three dark edge petals, giving the petal a "bearded" iris look. Let dry.
- 5). Glue the tips of the three light petals and glue together at tip, or base, making certain to place the right side of each petal facing the same direction when gluing. Allow the glue to dry and fold each of the three petals gently to the right, which will create a cup effect. Be as creative as you want with the ruffling the edges slightly.
- 6). Bend a small closed loop at the top of the 12-inch stem using the needle-nose pliers. Attach the top "light" petals to the stem wire through the loop, fastening them with the floral wire. Attach the lower "bearded" petals to the stem between the top petals with the beard side facing upward. Wrap the leaves last, and wrap the floral wire below the loop to secure all the petals and leaves. Gently arrange the top petals upward and the bearded petals slightly downward. Placed the leaves in a way that is most aesthetically pleasing to your eye.
- 7). Wrap the green floral tape down the stem, beginning at the top and working your way to the bottom of the stem. This will cover the wire fastening and enhance the "bulb" effect from which your flower has blossomed. Glue the floral tape at the very bottom of the stem, making certain it is wrapped tightly all the way down the stem.
