New Uses for Silk Flowers: Make Decorations, Fashion Accessories and More

Silk flowers are inexpensive and beautiful. Unfortunately, they are often discarded when their color fades, moisture affects the petals or they sustain damage. This often discarded item can be utilized to create fashion accessories, clothing embellishments, decorations and more.

I am inspired by friends utilizing everyday materials to make new items out of old; it's sort of the crafter's creed. We steadfastly believe in creating new things using items from our everyday lives, and things we find along the way.

You will need:

• · Silk flowers; find these at flea markets, craft stores, dollar stores, garage sales and so on. After parties such as weddings, graduations, anniversaries and so on use them as centerpieces and then discard them. Ask for them; people are more than happy to give them to you.
• · Fabric glue, hot glue or other adhesives.
• · General sewing equipment
• · Embellishments such as glitter, beads, embroidery threads, buttons and so forth.
• · Optional items include Styrofoam shapes, floral stems, silk leaves, fabric stiffener and so on.
• · Fabric paints, pens, paintbrushes, fabric dyes

To prepare used flowers wash by hand in lukewarm or cold water using gentle soap. Dry on paper towels or sweater drying screen. If the colors run or have faded, you can dye or paint them for a new look. Embroider or use fabric paint to create veins in the petals for an interesting look.

Other needed items may be listed under the project ideas.

3D Artwork

Create a work of art by arranging one or more flowers with embellishments in a picture frame. Attach fabric to a picture mat using spray adhesive. Add ribbons, sticks, leaves or other items to create artwork. Glue in place with dabs of hot glue; place in frame. Use different sizes of frames to create a custom visual focal point in a room.

Plaster Flowers

Mix plaster according to the manufacturer's directions; make the mix a little loose. Dip the flowers into the plaster, allow the plaster to run off and set on Styrofoam to dry. When dry, paint the flowers and use as decorations in vases, for boxes, jewelry and more.

Jewelry

Use hot glue to attach silk flowers to pin backing, broaches, earrings and bracelets.

Lampshades

Glue silk petals all over a lampshade. Attach small flowers around the top or bottom of lampshades.

Home Decorations

Use decoupage paste to attach single flower petals to glass or plastic vases, boxes or jars used as decorations.

Attach flowers to Styrofoam shapes and use as centerpieces, gift box decorations, create wall hangings or flower arrangements set in decorative bowls, baskets or vases.

Clothing Embellishments

Attach silk flower buds to ribbons and embellish cuffs, necklines and more. Sew flowers, buds or petals to garments to create visual interest. For gauze-like fabrics, appliqué petals in different arrangements.

Silk flowers are versatile and fun to work with. I like using fabric stiffener to make them sturdy and then hand paint them with fabric dyes. As the petals are drying, I can shape them to resemble real flower petals. I can glue glitter around the edges of the petals or create glittery veins. I'll attach them to floral stems and arrange them in a vase. My friends love to receive these bouquets as gifts.

You do not have to spend a lot of money to make interesting gifts or decorations. I think you'll find that once you start, you might become addicted to it. It's fun.

Source: The author of this article has over 40 years of experience in diverse subjects and skills such as DIY, home improvement and repair, crafting, designing, and building furniture, outdoor projects, RV'ing and a consummate movie fan.