Burlap Bouquets: Diy Wedding Flowers With A Rustic Charm

Burlap flowers are a mainstay in country and rustic weddings, and they can be a great DIY project. There are many ways to make them, from the unique 3-layer method to an easy no-sew loopy version. The 3-layer method involves cutting and gluing burlap squares, fan-folding and cutting them into petal shapes, and sewing them together. The loopy method involves cutting and gluing burlap squares, removing horizontal strands, and gluing and rolling them into flower shapes. Both methods can be used to create beautiful wedding bouquets.

How to make a burlap flower bouquet holder and base

To make a burlap flower bouquet holder and base, you will need a Styrofoam ball, a wooden dowel, hot glue, and some fabric or burlap.

First, cut a hole in the Styrofoam ball slightly smaller than the diameter of the dowel. Apply hot glue around the top of the dowel and about 3 inches down. Push the dowel into the hole in the Styrofoam ball and hold it there for at least half an hour until the glue dries. After it dries, you can wrap your dowel in fabric or burlap, using hot glue to seal the seams.

How to make the bottom, fringy layer of the bouquet

The bottom, fringy layer of the bouquet is made by creating a bottom layer of leaves. Cut about eight 5" squares of hunter green burlap. Pull all but six horizontal (or vertical) strands from the square, leaving three each on opposite sides. Fold and glue the square into a rectangle to make loops. Place the stem at one end of the glued side of the rectangle and roll the rectangle around the stem, gluing as you go. Separate and press the loop petals flat against the table to form a flower shape. Optionally, spray the burlap flower with fabric stiffener or mod podge to reduce fuzz.

How to make the top and centre looped layers of the bouquet

Making the top and centre looped layers of the bouquet is a simple process. You will need two or three colours of burlap fabric, flatback, round pearl and rhinestone decorations for the centre, and flexible, fabric-friendly glue.

For the top layer, cut three 3" squares of white burlap fabric. For the centre layer, cut three 4" squares of natural burlap fabric. Remove the horizontal strands from the burlap squares, leaving three strands at the top and three at the bottom of each square.

Next, glue and roll the flower layers. Place glue along the three strands on one side of the burlap square. Fold the square in half, pressing the opposite three strands into the glue. Roll along the glued end, adding more glue as you go. Spread the petal loops and press flat.

Finally, stack the layers and embellish the centre. Glue the flower layers on top of each other, then glue your chosen decoration in the centre. Allow to dry.

How to assemble the bouquet

Now that you have all your burlap flowers and other decorations ready, it's time to assemble the bouquet. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Prepare the Base

Start by creating the holder and base for the flower bouquet. Cut a hole in your Styrofoam ball slightly smaller than the diameter of the dowel. Apply hot glue around the top of the dowel and about 3 inches down. Insert the glued end into the hole and hold it in place for at least half an hour until it dries. You can wrap the dowel in fabric or burlap and use hot glue to seal the seams.

Step 2: Attach the Flowers

Using hot glue, start gluing your fabric flowers to the bouquet. Try to space them evenly and avoid leaving large gaps between the flowers. If there are small gaps, don't worry, as you'll fill them in later.

Step 3: Fill in the Gaps

Cut your lace into 3-inch squares and fold them in half. Pinch the bottom "point" and use decorative pins to pin the lace to the Styrofoam ball, filling in any gaps. You can also add some pins to the flowers for a more decorative look.

Step 4: Finalize the Bouquet

If you want to distinguish which bouquet belongs to each bridesmaid, you can glue buttons to the bottom of the bouquets. Additionally, you can add a charm to the bouquet, such as a vintage trinket or something new, to lend a unique and interesting element to your arrangement.

Step 5: Secure the Stems

Once you're happy with the arrangement, snip the stems to the desired length and secure the bouquet with a rubber band. Make sure it's tightly wrapped before adding floral tape to hide the rubber band. Finish it off by looping a ribbon around the stems, either in a clean, classic style or a more relaxed, cascading manner.

How to make the stems

The stems of a burlap flower wedding bouquet can be made using a variety of materials and methods, depending on the desired look and level of craftsmanship. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to create stems for your burlap flower wedding bouquet:

Materials:

• Wooden dowels: Cut a wooden dowel to a length of about 1 foot (30 cm).
• Chenille craft sticks: Alternatively, you can use fuzzy chenille craft sticks for a more flexible stem.
• Heavy-gauge florist wire: If you prefer a thin and rigid stem, go for florist wire.
• Florist tape: This is optional, but it can be used to wrap the wire for a more polished look.
• Hot glue: Hot glue will be used to secure the stems to the flowers and for other attachments.

Simple Stem Method:

• Take three chenille craft sticks and twist them together to form a sturdy stem.
• You can also use heavy-gauge florist wire and wrap it in florist tape for a neater appearance.
• If you prefer a straight and rigid stem, you can opt for a wooden dowel instead.

Decorative Stem Method:

• Cut a hole in a Styrofoam ball, slightly smaller than the diameter of your chosen stem.
• Apply hot glue around the top of the dowel and about 3 inches (7.5 cm) down.
• Quickly insert the glued end of the stem into the hole and hold it in place for a few seconds.
• Let the glue dry for at least 30 minutes.
• Once dry, wrap the dowel with fabric or burlap, using hot glue to seal the seams and create a neat finish.

Combining Stems with Flowers:

• After creating your desired number of stems, you can attach them to the burlap flowers.
• Follow the instructions for creating the burlap flowers, and during the process, attach the bottom layer of the flower to the stems.
• You can use hot glue or flexible fabric-friendly glue for a secure hold.

Now that you have created the stems and attached them to the flowers, you can proceed with arranging the bouquet, adding baby's breath, and tying the stems together as described in the full tutorial.

Feel free to experiment with different colors and textures of burlap, and don't be afraid to add your personal touches to make your wedding bouquet unique and special!

Frequently asked questions