This rose, when carefully made, is most beautiful and sells for an exorbitant price. To make the rose as illustrated requires one-quarter of a yard of satin cut on the bias and one-eighth of a yard of velvet cut on the bias. If the velvet is one or more shades darker, the result will be more pleasing.
The rose is fashioned from petals cut like the illustration. The first three petals are cut from dimensions given in the illustration, two inches long and one and three-quarters inches wide. The next five petals should be one-quarter of an inch larger, and each succeeding row of five petals should be one-quarter of an inch larger than the preceding one. The last row of petals is to be made from the velvet. Cut a piece of the tie wire long enough to reach around the outside edge of each petal, plus one and one-half inches. Lay the petals down wrong side up, bend the wire to the shape of the petal, lay the wire close to the edge and turn the raw edge over the wire one-eighth of an inch and glue in place with milliner's glue. Place a light weight on the petals until thoroughly dry.
Begin assembling the flower by first making a center from some of the scraps left from the velvet, or yellow rose stamens may be used; fold several small pieces into bud-like shapes of about one inch in length, sew strongly and fasten on a loop of the wire six inches long. Keep the point where all the petals are joined in as small a circumference as possible. Begin with the three small petals, pleat them at the bottom into as small a space as possible, and sew to the center with the wrong side to the center. After they have been arranged, the edges may be crinkled down somewhat. Add the remaining petals according to their size. The last row of velvet petals is rather pretty if one or more is placed with the right side toward the center.
A conventional flower which makes a beautiful trimming may be made from the pattern for the wired rose first given. Cut five petals (of any size required) from velvet, and five the same size from silk or satin. Lay the velvet petals wrong side up and cover with milliner's glue. Lay on this a piece of tie wire one-quarter of an inch from the edge, allowing an extension of ends of the wire at the bottom of the petal. Lay the silk petal on top and press firmly. When dry arrange these five petals around a cluster of yellow stamens, which have been fastened to a loop of tie wire. This blossom should lie out flat when finished. Of course the shape of the petals may be changed in any way desired.
Poinsettias—
The petals of this blossom are also pasted to a lining, the poinsettia making a beautiful ornament. While a bright red is extremely lovely, a black poinsettia is equally effective. The petals should be made of velvet and lined with the same color in satin. These petals being narrow, only need a wire through the center. After the petals have been prepared, they should be assembled around a bunch of yellow stamens or knotted baby ribbon.
The foliage is made from green velvet lined with green silk. The accompanying illustration shows the proportion of both the petals of the blossom and the foliage. The stems may be wound with green or brown gum tissue.
Poppies—
Poppies may be made from ribbon seventeen inches long and two and one-quarter inches wide. Cut two pieces five and one-half inches long. This leaves one piece six inches long. This will make five petals. Cut the ends round on the five and one-half inch pieces, and cut one end of the six-inch piece round. Beginning at the center, close to edge, gather with a small running stitch. Turn in the raw edges and draw the thread sufficiently to make the rounded ends curl over one inch, and fasten off the thread. These two long pieces make four petals. Pleat them very close at the center, sew together, finish the single petal the same and add it to the four petals. Knotted black baby ribbon or yellow stamens or both will make a beautiful center.