Constructing Boutonnieres and Corsages Modified by the Georgia Agriculture Education Curriculum Office September 2005

Constructing Boutonnieres A boutonniere is a small floral piece worn for several occasions by a man. Generally consists of one or two small flowers. Flowers are selected based on personal preferences, but roses and carnations are most popular.

Steps to create boutonnieres Step 1: Select a high quality flower. Make sure the flower is firm and fresh. Step 2: Using No. 20 or 22 gauge wire, wire the flower. Use the pierce method for roses and carnations. Use the hook method for wiring chrysanthemums or other daisy-like flowers.

Steps to create boutonnieres continued Step 3: Bend the florist wire down along the stem. Tape the stem using green floral tape. Make sure that no wire is exposed. Step 4: Select a piece of foliage or greenery to use as a backing for the boutonniere. Wire the foliage and wrap with tape.

Steps to create boutonnieres continued Step 5: Place the flower and foliage together. Let approximately the top 1/3 of the foliage show above the flower. Tape down the stem.

Steps to create boutonnieres continued Step 6: Cut off excessive stem. A stem length of 2 – 2 1/2 inches is most desirable. Add a boutonniere pin by inserting into the base of the calyx.

Constructing corsages A corsage is more elaborately designed and constructed than a boutonniere. Corsages are primarily designed to be worn on a woman’s shoulder, but can also be worn on the wrist or in the hair. Select flowers based on the occasion, color of garment, and preferences. Commonly used flowers are carnations, roses, and orchids.

Steps to creating corsages Step 1: Select 5 firm and fresh carnations. Step 2: Using the pierce method, wire each flower with No. 24 gauge florist wire. Tape each flower securely from the base of the petals down to the end of the wire. Step 3: Wire and tape four small pieces of leather leaf. Construct a bow of #3 ribbon.

Steps to creating corsages continued Step 4: Place the 3 larger carnations in a triangular pattern. Bend the flowers so that they will face outward when placed on the shoulder. Place a leaf of leather leaf fern on each side between the flowers. Wrap the stems together with a No. 30 gauge wire.

Steps to creating corsages continued Step 5: Tape two carnations and one piece of leather leaf fern together in a line. The leather leaf fern should be between the two flowers. Step 6: Attach this group to the group of 3 flowers. Tape over any exposed wire.

Steps to creating corsages continued Step 7: Secure the bow to the corsage under the two lowest focal flowers. Cut the lower portion of the stems about 1 1/2 to 2 inches below the lowest flower. Step 8: Finish by inserting one corsage pin through the stem above the bottom flowers. Place another pin in the stem above the base flowers.