During special occasions, a boutonniere (floral buttonhole) is pinned to the breast pocket of the suit or tuxedo.
Make a boutonniere at home to save a little cash for your special event or just have the freedom to be creative in the design.
Follow these steps to make a boutonniere.
You will need: - One medium flowerbud - One stem of leaves - 2-3 smaller flowers to accent the main flower - 6 in.
of ribbon (two complementing colors) - Florist's tape - Pair of scissors/smippers - Ironing starch - Large dressmaker's pin Select a flower.
You can have any flower you desire as long as it is smaller in diameter than the breast pocket of the suit.
From the traditional and sophisticated rose, to the dramatic orchid or the delicate freesia and calla lily, all types of flowers may be used in boutonnieres to make a dramatic statement.
Choose simple, yet striking, floral arrangements.
Make ready the flowers.
The stems should be cut to three inches in length.
After the boutonniere is all set to be worn you can then take off a portion of the length.
Begin with a few leaves.
Collect them, and fasten, to complete the back frame of the boutonniere.
To join stems, apply floral tape from the leaf base to the stem ends.
Gather the blooms in a bunch and then secure them with tape.
Grasp the stems to join them, which will join both ends.
Position the middle bloom atop the greenery, next arranging your boutonniere.
Stems wrapped with floral tape will be secure.
Use ribbon to decorate it.
With a bit of ribbon you can adorn your boutonniere beautifully.
A simple bow works great on the base of the buds or you can curl the ribbon behind the bundle of leaves for a colorful swirl effect.
In order to stiffen the boutonniere, spray it.
Use spray starch or floral fixative to affix the boutonniere and retain the position and crispness of the ribbon.
Once through the lapel or pocket, the pin goes through the stems.
Ensure that the boutonniere is tightly fastened to prevent any shifts or sags.
For weddings and other special occasions, the traditional decorations for men's suits are boutonnieres.
Design and make custom boutonnieres for special occasions.
Choose a boutonniere that is colorful so it will be noticed on a traditional dark suit.