How to make a Chrysanthemum flower

Kenneth King, contributor

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This flower evolved out of the circular flower I posted a few months back. It’s somewhat extravagant, suitable for trimming hats, or as a finishing touch on an evening gown. You can scale it down mathematically—I’ll give the dimensions I used for this particular example, and also the equivalent “ribbon width” units, so you can make it larger or smaller as you see fit.

For this example, I used 4” wide strips of organza. That will be the “ribbon width”. I cut three strips for this project. The first (shortest), measures 16” long—or, four ribbon widths (4x4”=16”). This strip is pressed into 4 equal parts, forming three creases.

The next strip, measures 25” long, or five times 5” (1.25 ribbon width). Press this strip into five equal parts, forming four creases.

The final strip is 36” long, or six times 6” (1.5 ribbon width). Press this strip into 6 equal parts, forming five creases. They will look like the photo.

Cut in a zig zag fashion between the creases—illustrated by the white lines in the photo. This will separate the sections.

Here are the finished units after cutting. The first strip yields three units, the second strip yields four, and the third strip yields five. his makes a total of 12 units to make the flower.

This is what they look like up close.

The base of this flower is sewn to crinoline, which is a thin, stiff interfacing fabric. Cut a piece about 3” square.

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Comments (25)

veliaLauerman writes: Silk has been my preference for many years. Embroidery, flowers etc. Thanks for the up date on REAL SILK FABRIC FLOWERS. I recycle china silk tops/blouses and large skirts no longer wearable. Would love to see more on 1920's LARGE ROSES. Velia's Sewing Studio, 108 North street, Hudson, Michigan 49247 9705 where ELVES ( EnjoyLearningVelia'sEverydaySewing ) meet. veliasquiltstudies@gmail.com
Posted: 5:27 pm on August 30th

sews4fun writes: Gorgeous!
I always look forward to your flower designs and I hope you continue to keep putting them out for all of us, they are always inspiring.
Posted: 8:55 pm on August 3rd

SerendipityMuse writes: @ J_cat: If you're using Firefox, that's the problem. Try a different browser (just about any other browser will do). HTH!
Posted: 5:31 pm on July 9th

J_cat writes: Lovely flower. I can not get the entire instructions to print. Has any one else run into that problem?
Posted: 4:56 pm on June 29th

jhackett writes: This idea would look great on a fascinator for the races.
Posted: 1:56 am on June 29th

KennethDKing writes: THis flower can be made from wide ribbon or strips of organza, either will do. Cutting on the bias won't work here, as the petals are very long and thin--the bias would make them pull apart very quickly.

You can use polyester organza and the hot knife, and this gives a sealed edge so they don't ravel. Otherwise, they will ravel over time, but I think this adds to the charm of the flower.

Another suggestion, if you are using silk organza, is to curl the petals with a small diameter curling iron before you make the flower. This will give a completely different look, one that is smaller in diameter but fuller in texture.
Posted: 12:21 pm on June 26th

aussiesal writes: Surely Mr King means to cut one's own organza rather than try to find ribbon? Also, surely it should be cut on the bias to prevent fraying? What do others think?
Posted: 9:37 pm on June 21st

gwtw4ever writes: Where does one find in such wide widths of organza ribbon?
How do you keep edges from fraying? Whenver I've used organza ribbon it frays like crazy.
thanks for neat idea.
Posted: 8:35 am on June 16th

GingerGroves writes: I made one using a beautiful peach color plus a burnt orange, the contrast between the two colors plus the sheen of the ribbon makes it exquisite....
Posted: 7:19 pm on June 15th

dreamlady writes: It is an amazing idea and it's easy to make and very useful for evening wear
Posted: 1:01 pm on June 15th

BarbaraSki writes: I am needing something to wear in my hair(wig) with my Victorian evening costume. This would work perfectly. Thanks for the instructions!
Posted: 11:10 am on June 15th

decoratrice writes: I'm going to try cutting synthetic organza ribbon with my hot knife--that should seal the edges nicely and make for a more durable flower. Absolutely gorgeous! Thank you!
Posted: 10:44 am on June 15th

MissLou writes: Thank you, this is a such beautiful idea and looks so easy. Wouldn't this work with strips of organza fabric in the measurements given. This could open up the color possiblities for the flowers.
Posted: 10:16 am on June 15th

shadezofmichelle writes: I love working with organza in my lamp shade projects. This could be an interesting 3d effect in a smaller size.
Posted: 7:13 am on June 15th

Lindamultitasker writes: This is a fabric flower that I might wear myself! Beautiful idea and the step-by-step instructions are excellent. Must add organza ribbon to the shopping list....
Posted: 8:46 pm on June 14th

pennykitz writes: I would like to be entered into the drawing for free products. I am not sure if this is how to enter of not, but would love to win!!!
Pennykitz
Posted: 8:14 pm on June 14th

shanrod writes: i love this flower, should work in many crafts and i can see a pair of flip=flops [ thongs ] many ideas, thanks so much for all your ideas. purses the list goes on.........
Posted: 8:03 pm on June 14th

Sunspot writes: LaMorgana - I had the same Ad problem as you until I clicked on "view all" That solved it for me, hope it helps you.

Love the flower, too!
Barb
Posted: 7:23 pm on June 14th

chey writes: Love the look of this! Will make one for my daughter and know she will love it. Also sent it on to my sister as she would also enjoy making them. Thanks for the great instructions!
Posted: 7:19 pm on June 14th

LaMorgana writes: Could you please resend this without the pop-up advertising covering the printed instructions.

Thanks.
Posted: 7:16 pm on June 14th

Viennasews writes: Such creativity and the result of it is just so beautiful!!
Definitivly will try it I have the same type of fabric at hand.
I am very enthusiastic to do it, thank you Mr. King.
Posted: 6:56 pm on June 14th

fadedredrose writes: I am glad to see this flower, when I was 9 yrs.old my Mother started me sewing, she had studied design in College in the early 1920's and she made all dress patterns and made all sorts of flowers and decorations from ribbon, and taught me this, I have not seen this done for years. Thank You for this article and the memories, I still use ribbon flowers on the shoulder of a suit or it dresses up any outfit and they are back in fashion again. Thank you again I enjoy your magazines so much.
Posted: 6:02 pm on June 14th

TigerB writes: It would be a lot of fun to dye the organza strips in multiple shades of the same color and then make the flower! Great tutorial!
Posted: 5:01 pm on June 14th

Stitichy writes: Wow! I really like the look of this - I'll have to try it.
Posted: 11:18 am on June 12th

trishapat writes: The flower is really beautiful. THe color and sheen of the organza add to it's appeal.
I wonder if it will unravel and how it will look if it does.
Whether it does or doesn't, it's truly lovely.
Posted: 4:49 pm on June 11th

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