Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Handmade Nylon Iris Flowers

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The Iris is one of my favorite flowers. In Greek mythology, Iris is the Goddess of the Rainbow. Iris, is from the Greek word for "rainbow' and is aptly named because of the variety of flower colors available. I love that it comes in a variety of colors including purple - my favorite color! Do you know that the color purple symbolizes royalty, nobility, dignity, wisdom, spirituality, imagination and creativity? Wow! Can you believe creativity is included? I've created lots of flowers out of paper, foam, burlap, ribbon, pinecones, plastic, clay, beads, wire, hot glue, floss, cork, and cans. So I decided to make my newest flower project out of nylon! You know the kind of nylon that stockings are made of! I haven't worn stockings in a very long, long time - but I digress, lol! 

Hello and Welcome to this month's version of our Creative Craft Hop! I'm so glad you're here! We have two wonderful hosts - Sara @Birdz of a Feather  and  Donna @Modern on Monticello  who take turns every other month! The talented and creative Sara is our host this month!  


If you're visiting from Donna @Modern on Monticello,  wasn't her Harry Potter Flying Key ornament adorable! At the end of my post, you'll be directed to the next Creative Crafter - Sara, sharing her cool Circle Earrings! And be sure to check out all the creative crafters for lots of fabulous ideas!

So let's begin with what you'll need to make a Nylon Iris Flower!

Supplies:
Disclosure I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites, this post may contain links. I may receive a very small commission at no cost to you! The affiliate money I earn helps pay my crafting expenses. Thanks so much for your support!

How to:

The showy blooms of the iris are usually in three distinctive layers of three petals from small, medium to large. So start with the small petals first and use floral wire (24, 22, and 18 gauge - the smaller the gauge number, the thicker the wire) to make the petals.
 Use a small round object like a bottle or jar to wrap the wire around. Here, I'm using a jar with diameter of 6" for the small petals. Twist the wire a few times and cut the wire at the base using wire cutters. You will need wires for six upright petals - small (internal), medium - and three downward or drooping petals imitating the structure of a real iris flower.
 Make three petals for each layer. 
Medium - 8"

Large - 11"
Since the petals on the lower level are slightly elongated, I use a smaller jar inside the wire tip to pull on the wire to make it a bit of a pear shape.
Nine petal frames:
Nylons stocking material to wrap around the petal rings.

To cover the rings, take the ends of a nylon in the color you want, stretching the material over the wire frame, making sure the fabric is smooth and tightly stretched. It was easier for me to pull down the back first since that's where the excess fabric is and then pull the front down together. Secure the nylon tightly at the base of the petal with matching thread wrapping and knotting it several times to prevent it from coming loose.

             

Trim away excess nylon fabric using scissors.



Use green floral tape to cover the thread, fabric and wire.



First layer (small), called standards.
Second layer (medium) of standards - which actually surround the first layer.

Third layer of downward facing petals (falls) 
Repeat the same steps for making these as before.


Since the first set of small petals were white, I decided to add a bit of color to blend in with the shade of the larger petals using transparent glass paint. 
I thought it was a great match and blended in so well!

To assemble the iris flower:
Arrange the smaller petals .  .  .
securing them with floral tape.
Then arrange the medium size petals evenly around the first layer.

Once satisfied with the look, arrange the larger petals (third layer) bending them downward at the base of the flower. Use floral tape to secure all three layers together. Then use your fingers or small rod shapes to gently curve and shape the petals to resemble the natural form of the iris flower.
    

Add additional stem wires to lengthen the flower and wrap the entire stems with green floral tape - from the base of the flower down to the end.

                     
To make the petals, fold a stem wire into a petal shape and secure with wire. You can also squeeze the top of  large circular frame with your hands to mold it into an oval shape, mimicking a leaf.

                

Use green nylon stocking to stretch it over the oval wire frame and secure with wire or green thread.


To make a iris bud, take a tissue and .  .  .

fold several times to create a small bud. 

I used a small amount of water to shape the tissue into a bud and then inserted the stem wire. Let dry.

Once dry, cover the bud with a piece of nylon in the same color as the larger petals (falls) securing with thread and floral tape.

Assemble petals and bud with additional floral tape for a 
stunning iris flower look!





I hope you enjoyed how I made these colorful handmade nylon Iris flowers!
Up next is Sara @Birdz of a Feather, our awesome host for this month, sharing her gorgeous Circle Earrings!  Be sure to check Sara's post out and all the creative crafters' projects listed below:



Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Christmas in July Braided Trim and Bow Ornament

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It's Christmas in July and time to start creating those pretty ornaments you've had in mind for so long! How cool would it be to wrap a styrofoam ball with decorative braided trim and top it off with a beautiful Bowdabra bow for a lovely Christmas ornament! It's so easy to make and yet very dramatic in design!

Materials:

Instructions:
Begin by cutting a six inch length of ribbon from the roll, folding in half and tying ends into a knot.

Find the center of the styrofoam ball and add a dab of glue there. Use the end of the scissors to press the ribbon knot down into the styrofoam ball .  .  . 
for the hanger.
Next, apply a generous amount of glue around the base of the hanger and begin placing the trim down following the bottom of the hanger, making sure the edge in the design is as close to the hanger as possible.
Continue applying glue around the ball and then adding the trim, making sure the trim is as close to the edge of the previous row.
Continue wrapping the trim around the ball after applying glue .  .  .
being very careful with placement of the trim as the area gets smaller and smaller. You'll have to tighten it up a bit!
To finish, squish together the end of the trim in a circle while gluing it down, and then cutting off the excess.
                            
To complete the ornament, let's add a beautiful Bowdabra loopy bow to the top!

Here's How:
Using a Mini Bowdabra, insert a 18" piece of bow wire folded in half into the Mini Bowdabra, tucking ends under. Then, crease the end of the ribbon and place into the Mini Bowdabra. Fold the ribbon at the 2" mark and press into the Mini Bowdabra. This is your first loop.


Next, fold the other side at the same 2" loop width. 

Continue folding loops one side at a time down through the center of the Mini Bowdabra, creating 15 loops on each side for a total of 30 loops. Cut off excess ribbon. 
                            

Scrunch down the loops with the Mini Bowdabra Wand.  


While the bow is still in the Mini Bowdabra, thread the two loose ends of the bow wire through the loop at the other end pulling tightly, tie in a knot and gently pull bow out.


Then take the bow wires around to the back tying in a couple of tight knots. 

  Tie the bow onto the hanger with the bow wire adjusting the wire through the center of the bow.  Make a loop with the two wires for hanging, tying the ends together into a knot and cutting off excess wire. And finally, fluff the bow, arranging the loops and stand back and admire your beautiful creation!
                                   
   
How cool is this!
Perfect to make for Christmas in July and the Christmas holiday season!




Thanks for stopping by

and take a little time to enjoy,

Happy Crafting!