January, 2003 - DIY Bride

DIY Crystal Stem Bouquet

Supplies Needed
• 26 gauge or 28 gauge craft wire
• Wire cutters
• Crystals, 6mm – 8 mm
• Variable speed drill
• Needle-nose pliers (optional)
• A vise or stand for your drill (optional)

Instructions
1. Cut wire to double the desired finished length. (Ex: Cut to 24” if you want a 12” stem.)
2. Thread the wire through the crystal, bring ends together, centering the crystal on the length of the wire.
3. Holding the crystal in one hand, pinch the wires together under the crystal and give it a twist. [Image 1] This secures the crystal and readies it for the next step.
4. Open the chuck of your drill and remove the drill bit (if there’s one in it).
5. Insert your crystal into the drill’s chuck and secure it in place as you would a drill bit. [Image 2] Be very careful! Glass crystals will break, crack, or shatter if you close the chuck too tightly.
6. Hold the loose end of your wires tightly in one hand (or hold them with a pair of needle nose pliers). Pull the wires taught.
7. Turn on your drill to the lowest speed and, voila!, you have a tightly twisted stem in less than 5 seconds.[Image 3]

DIY Calla Lily Bouquet

Supplies Needed :
• Flower bucket to hold flowers
• Vase to hold finished bouquets
• 15 – 20 mini calla lilies
• Floral knife
• Clear rubber band
• Satin ribbon
• Round-head pearl pins

Directions :
1. Fill a floral bucket with warm water to help the blooms open a bit. This makes a fuller-looking bouquet.

2. With a floral knife, strip leaves calla stems. Then cut the stems straight across with a floral knife, and plunge into the bucket of water. (Freshly cut stems allow the flowers to drink more water.)

3. When ready to assemble your bouquet, gather all of your callas into your hand and simply arrange them until the bouquet head looks full and
symmetrical.

4. Gently band the stems with the rubber band, being careful not to break, bend or cut into the stem.

5. Starting at bottom, attach the ribbon perpendicularly to the stems with a straight pin. Then, holding the bouquet with one hand, wrap the ribbon upward using your other hand, taking care to overlap the ribbon evenly. Pin the ribbon in place at the top of the stems, just beneath the flowers.

6. Trim the excess ribbon, leaving a length several inches long. Wrap the ribbon around the base of the buds and secure with straight pins.

Tips :
• This bouquet should be made the day of the wedding to help it stay fresh and vibrant.
• If using white callas (or any other white flower), be extra careful to not bend or tear the petals. White flowers bruise and discolor very easily.
• Mini calla lilies are available in a multitude of colors and shades. Have fun mixing and matching these gorgeous flowers!

Details for this project :
Mini Calla Lilies, 20 stems: $60.00
Satin Ribbon, 2” wide, 1 yd.: $03.00
Floral pins: $02.00
Floral tape: $03.50
Total Cost $68.50

DIY Lace Garter

Knitted Lace Wedding Garter

By Diane Willett

Materials:
Cotton thread size 40
Knitting needles size 00
1/4 inch wide blue ribbon
Single fold bias tape
3/8 inch wide elastic

Gauge:
Lace is 2 inches wide and 21 inches long.
(22 repeats of the pattern)

To Make:

1). Cast on 21 stitches. Follow charted instructions, reading chart from right to left, and from bottom to top. The same way you knit.

2). Even numbered rows, work as follows: Slip one as if to purl, then purl to end of row, except make sure to knit 1, purl 1 into every double yarn over in the previous row.

3). Knit 22 repeats of the pattern until you have 21 inches of length. (or to desired length) Bind off loosely. Weave in ends of thread.

4). Wash and pin out to block lace. (spray with spray starch after lace is pinned out, if desired. This will help keep the lace definition when gathered for the garter.) Let dry completely.

5). Sew two ends of the lace together. Weave the blue ribbon through the middle eyelets. (Yarn over ladders) Sew bias tape to back side of garter. Insert elastic in bias casing. Sew a bow of ribbon to the front of the garter if desired.