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How to Make a Chrysanthemum Flower

This flower evolved from 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—I’ll give the dimensions I used for this example and the equivalent “ribbon width” units, so you can make it larger or smaller as you see fit.

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

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

The final strip is 36 inches long, or six times 6 inches (1.5 ribbon width). Press this strip into six equal parts, forming five creases. See the photos below.


Cut in a zig-zag fashion between the creases, as illustrated by the white lines in the photo above. 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. This makes a total of 12 units to make the flower.

 

 

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

Gather the unit. You will sew these units to the crinoline in a spiral pattern, either clockwise or counterclockwise. I have drawn this onto the crinoline for the demonstration, but it is not necessary to do so on your sample. Stitch unit one to the center of this circle. Bring up the needle through the crinoline and gather the next…

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  1. User avater
    trishapat | | #1

    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.

  2. Stitichy | | #2

    Wow! I really like the look of this - I'll have to try it.

  3. tigerb | | #3

    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!

  4. fadedredrose | | #4

    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.

  5. Viennasews | | #5

    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.

  6. LaMorgana | | #6

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

    Thanks.

  7. User avater
    chey | | #7

    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!

  8. Sunspot | | #8

    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

  9. shanrod | | #9

    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.........

  10. User avater
    pennykitz | | #10

    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

  11. Lindamultitasker | | #11

    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....

  12. User avater
    shadezofmichelle | | #12

    I love working with organza in my lamp shade projects. This could be an interesting 3d effect in a smaller size.

  13. User avater
    MissLou | | #13

    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.

  14. decoratrice | | #14

    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!

  15. User avater
    BarbaraSki | | #15

    I am needing something to wear in my hair(wig) with my Victorian evening costume. This would work perfectly. Thanks for the instructions!

  16. dreamlady | | #16

    It is an amazing idea and it's easy to make and very useful for evening wear

  17. GingerGroves | | #17

    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....

  18. gwtw4ever | | #18

    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.

  19. aussiesal | | #19

    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?

  20. User avater
    kennethdking | | #20

    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.

  21. jhackett | | #21

    This idea would look great on a fascinator for the races.

  22. J_cat | | #22

    Lovely flower. I can not get the entire instructions to print. Has any one else run into that problem?

  23. SerendipityMuse | | #23

    @ J_cat: If you're using Firefox, that's the problem. Try a different browser (just about any other browser will do). HTH!

  24. sews4fun | | #24

    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.

  25. veliaLauerman | | #25

    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. [email protected]

  26. nanacosta | | #26

    Mr. King, I am new to this site, and enjoying every minute of your wonderfull teachings!!! Thank you so much. Greetings from Costa Rica.....the rain forest ;)

  27. User avater
    Djonee | | #27

    I fell in love with this style of flower !! I have so many ideas on where to place it ! Thanks Kenneth

  28. rkriege | | #28

    your advertising on the side panel covers up part of the directions

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