Ribbon Flower Topiary

Figure A

Steps:

1. To make eight light pink flat double rosettes: Use 7 inches of Blushing Bride or Cherry Blossom bias silk ribbon. Fold the ribbon up by two-thirds and sew a U-gather stitch pattern. Gather the ribbon until it forms into a flat rosette shape. You will have two layers of ribbon showing. Sew a pearl button to the center (figure A).

Figure B

2. To make eight dark pink flat double "wet rosettes": Use 7 inches of 1-inch-wide Lingerie bias silk ribbon for each rose. Fold the ribbon up by two-thirds and sew a U-gather stitch pattern. Gather the ribbon until it forms into a flat rosette shape (figure B). You will have two layers of ribbon showing.

Figure C

3. Wet the entire rose by dipping it into a cup of water. Take out some of the excess water by patting on a towel. Scrunch the ribbon flower, pull up and re-scrunch the flower center and let dry (figure C).

Figure D

4. Make eight lavender Batchelor Buttons or Cornflowers: Use 10 inches of 1-inch-wide bias ribbon in one or two colors (purple Lobelia and blue/pink Hydrangea. Cut off 1/8 inch of the ribbon from one long side so the ribbon width is now 7/8-inch wide. Fray the top edge of the ribbon. Then make small snips along the frayed length of ribbon. Sew across the bottom edge of the ribbon (non-frayed edge) (figure D).

Figure E

Gather the ribbon and coil it on itself so a flower shape is formed. Sew the bottom to secure (figure E).

Figure F

5. Make 28 three-loop leaves from 9 inches of 5/8-inch-wide Mossy Rock bias silk. Fold the ribbon into three loops. Stitch at the bottom to secure (figure F).

6. Cover the entire foam ball with Tacky glue. Use a brush to spread glue.

Figure G

7. Dip the ball into a bag of lavender; press the lavender into the glue and let dry (figure G).

8. Place the topiary into a pot. Don’t glue it in.

Figure H

9. Cover the lavender ball with a square of net lace. Drape over the ball and gather tightly under the ball with needle and thread. Trim the excess lace (figure H).

Figure I

10. Drape ivy around the ball in a spiral and secure with pins (figure I).

Figure J

11. Lightly cover the topiary wood stem with glue and then wind the bias silk cording around the stem until it's fully covered (figure J).

12. Divide the rosettes, bachelor buttons and loop leaves into four equal groups. Divide (with pins) the topiary ball into four segments, like an orange.

Figure K

13. In one segment, arrange one group of flowers and leaves. Secure each flower and leaf into the foam ball with glue or a pin (figure K). Repeat this process for the other three segments.

Figure L

14. Sprinkle in the tiny clay daisies (figure L).

15. Secure the topiary into the ceramic container with hot glue. Tie a bow using 1-inch-wide silk ribbon around the container.

alternate design

16. Cover the base of the topiary with hand-dyed silk or velvet fabric, moss or more dried lavender buds.

Tips: Add some surprise elements to the topiary such as tiny birds, fairies, buttons, big beads etc.