DIY Network

Paint the Town Prom Make prom night sparkle without spending your college fund! From "Creative Juice" episode DCRJ-513

Break out the gown and dust off the tux, because Cathie Filian and Steve Piacenza have some crafty ideas just in time for prom season. They show off some easy techniques for corsage- and boutonniere-making; design gorgeous necklaces that make that special night really shine; and reveal simple embellishing tricks for making elegant handbags and dresses even more beautiful.

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Corsages and boutonnieres cost a pretty penny in stores, but with a little creative flair you can design and make them yourself for next to nothing.

Boutonniere and corsage

Boutonniere-Making 101

Materials:

single flower or bud (such as a rose, lily or orchid) or a cluster of smaller flowers
small amount of greenery and/or baby's breath
green floral tape
floral wire
small boutonniere pin
water mister
clear plastic clamshell containers, from a floral supplier
natural-colored paper shred or shredded wood fiber

1. Create a bed for the flower with a small amount of baby's breath and/or greenery. The bed should not extend much beyond the top of the flower and should be visible from the sides.

2. Trim the flower stems, at a 45-degree angle, with sharp clippers (figure A).

3. Use floral wire to pierce the base of the main flower, just above the stem (figure B). Thread the wire through the flower so that equal lengths are on either side of the stem. Curve the ends of the wire down to follow the stem, and snip the wire so that it's the same length as the stem. Wrap the stem and wire with floral tape (figure C). Make sure the tape covers the end of the stem to help seal in moisture.

Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

Figure D

4. Wrap all stems together completely with green floral tape.

5. Place one small boutonniere pin through back of the stem into the flower head (figure D).

6. Mist with cool water and place on tissue in a box or in a corsage bag. Keep refrigerated.

Pinning and wearing a boutonniere:
A boutonniere is always worn on the left side of the body. Place the boutonniere at a slight angle on the dress or lapel. This is an average of about 4" in from the tip of the left shoulder. For a clean, polished look, try weaving the boutonniere pin through the fabric and to the underside of the lapel to keep the head of the pin from showing.

Wrist Corsage

Corsages are usually three or more boutonniere-sized clusters of flowers.

Figure E

1. Make three to five small clusters. Add greenery and then gather and arrange them together. Arrange the flowers so that there are flowers in both directions and no stems are highly visible. Bind with green floral tape.

2. Open the metal prongs of the corsage wristlet. Lay the stems of the corsage parallel to and between the wristlet prongs (figure E). Clasp the prongs around the stems of the corsage.

Pin Corsage

1. Using floral tape, wind and tape the stems together. Leave the stems loose at the bottom to create a "hand tied" organic look, or wrap them with ribbon for a more polished look. A small bow may or may not be added to the left-bottom side of the corsage.

2. Place two large corsage pins into the back of the corsage, up through the stem. Keep misted and refrigerated.

Figure F

Wearing a Pin Corsage
Place the corsage at a slight angle on the dress or lapel. This is an average of about 4" in from the tip of the left shoulder. Use a corsage pin to pin into the fabric at the bottom left corner of the stem. Weave the pin through the fabric. Be sure that the very tip of the pin does not stick out, nor does it poke under the fabric and touch the skin. Repeat this process with the corsage pin at the top left corner of the stem, just under the heads of the flowers. Two corsage pins will help to support the weight of heavy flowers on delicate attire.

To present the flowers, line the clamshell container with a bed of natural-colored paper shred or shredded wood fiber (figure F) and arrange the boutonniere or corsage in the bed. Tie with ribbon and a tag, if desired.

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