Spring is here in full force, and flowers are everywhere! I don’t know about you, but to me, flowers are just as beautiful as gemstones, and it seems a shame not to use them for adornment. Flowering branches, garden flowers, wildflowers, florist’s flowers, and even silk flowers – all of these are suitable for making flower crowns. The methods and flowers for making flower crowns vary and depend on the purpose for wearing the crown, but no matter what the method, flower crowns are easy to make and are perfect for many occasions.
Image via Flickr by Lela Getzler
Simple Flower Crown
When I was a little girl, my friends and I used to make ourselves flower crowns out of the flowers we found on the lawn and in the garden. There are a variety of ways to make a flower crown. To make a simple flower crown just for fun, one of the easiest ways is to make a daisy chain and then attach the ends. To do this, you will need 15 to 20 flowers, depending on head circumference and flower type. Daisies, chrysanthemums, black-eyed susans, bachelor’s buttons, and red and white clover all work well for this method. Ribbons and scissors or a small knife are optional.
- Cut or pick flowers approximately four inches long and strip off the bottom leaves.
- Make a slit in the stem with your fingernail or a small knife.
- Insert the next flower stem into this slit, pulling it all the way through.
- Continue this process until you have a chain long enough to wrap around your head, then fasten the ends in the same manner to make a circle.
You can also make a flower crown by braiding three flower stems together and adding new flowers to the braid. Flower stems should be at least five inches long for this method, and you can easily tuck and tie in shorter flowers, leaves, berries, and seed pods in the gaps. Ribbons add extra strength, color, and fun!
Image via Flickr by Kathryn Decker
Flower Crowns for Special Events
Bridal flower crowns are one of the hottest trends for 2014. Weddings, proms, parties, and other special events taking place during the spring and summer call for sturdier flowers and crowns than those mentioned in the section above. Florist’s flowers are generally sturdier than those that you would find in your garden or lawn, as they have been bred and cared for to last a long time. You also have access to more exotic blooms when buying from a florist. Whatever flowers you choose, the methods are the same. To make a sturdy flower crown, you will need 12-gauge wire, wire cutters, scissors, floral tape, and, of course, flowers (how many depends on flower type, head circumference, and how full you want the crown). You may choose to add other embellishments to the crown such as jewels, berries, feathers, ribbons, and so on – you may need a hot glue gun for this.
- Measure your head circumference, then cut your 12-gauge wire about two inches longer. Shape the wire to fit your head, then create hook-and-eye loops at the ends of the wire to close the circlet.
- Cut flower stems to two or three inches long and remove all foliage from the stems.
- Start attaching flowers to the wire circlet by holding the stem next to the wire circlet and wrapping both with floral tape or florist’s wire. You can add flowers singly or in small bunches. Continue until the wire circlet is covered in flowers.
- Fill in any gaps with small flowers, foliage, berries, or embellishments. Cover the hook-and-eye closure with a carefully placed flower or embellishment.
Image via Flickr by thethreesisters
Fresh flower crowns can be made up to a day in advance of the event. To store, mist with water or florist’s finishing spray and store in an airtight container or bag in the refrigerator, but make sure you do not store it next to fruits or vegetables that can emit ethylene gasses and hasten aging of flowers. Also, make sure that there are no spots that are overly cold, which would freeze the flowers. Take the flower crown out shortly before your event and wear it with joy! And remember, you can save these flowers from your special day by drying them.