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!
Supplies:
- Jars/bottles, rods
- Tape measure, scissors,
- Nylons
- Thread
- Wire (asst. gauges 18, 22, 24)
- Floral stem wire
- Floral tape (green)
- Nylon jaws pliers ( for smoothing out wire)
- Wire Cutters
- Tissue
- Transparent glass paint
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:
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.
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.
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: