I just love autumnal decor, and with Thanksgiving around the corner, I was on the look out for centerpieces that would be festive and fitting for the big Thanksgiving dinner gathering. I stumbled upon this clever idea on
marthastewart.com on how to make
Cornhusk flowers! You can click the links to see all the steps, or I have copy/pasted them below.
For Cosmos and Daisies:
- Printable template
- Card stock (for templates)
- Dried cornhusks (available at crafts stores and Mexican food shops)
- Paper towels
- Scissors
- Pinking shears
- Wire, 18- and 32-gauge
- Dried corn kernels
- Butter knife
- Clear varnish
- White glue
- Tweezers
- Brown floral tape
For Sunflowers:
- Printable template
- Card stock (for base and templates)
- Dried corn kernels
- Hot-glue gun
- Tweezers
- Cornhusks
- Scissors
- Wire, 18-gauge
- Wooden dowel, 1/4-inch diameter
- White floral tape
Step 1
Prepare Cornhusks
For all flowers, soak cornhusks in water for 2 to 3 minutes; blot dry
with paper towels. For petals and other shapes, copy template onto card
stock. Cut out and place template on slightly damp husk, and then cut
shapes. Using your fingers, cup and shape petals while they dry. To make
pink husks, soak purple and off-white cornhusks together in a bowl of
water overnight. Blot dry with paper towels before using.
Step 2
Make Cosmos and Daisies
These delicate blossoms can be any color and can have either fringed
or corn-kernel centers. To make multiple petals, fold a still-damp
cornhusk accordion-style, place petal template on top, and cut out,
making sure the grain runs vertically. Edge the top of each cosmos petal
individually with pinking shears (see finished cosmos petals in step
4). Form stamen by rolling inner strip tightly, and wrap twice with end
of wire; roll outer strip around that, and wrap wire again. Make a
single center for cosmos, a double for daisies. Fasten with 3-foot
length of 32-gauge wire. Attach petals to stamen, wrapping twice with
wire each time.
Step 3
Make Flower Centers and Stem
For corn-kernel flower centers, pry kernels from the cob with a
butter knife. Seal kernels with clear varnish spray before using to
discourage weevils. Make an unfringed stamen, folding center rectangle
in half lengthwise (for daisies, use only inner center), rolling
tightly, and fastening with wire. Using white glue, affix several
kernels to center after attaching petals (a pair of tweezers is helpful
for handling kernels). Insert a length of 18-gauge wire into base of
stamen; trim to desired stem length, and finish by wrapping with floral
tape.
Step 4
Arrange Finished Cosmos and Daisies
Place finished cosmos and daisies in a vase to create a seasonal arrangement.
Step 5
Make Sunflowers
For each sunflower, cut a 4-inch square of heavy red or orange card
stock. Use tweezers to pick up a kernel of corn, dab with hot glue, and
attach to center of card stock. Repeat, arranging glued kernels in
pattern indicated in photo. Continue to add rows of kernels until the
flower center is desired size, between 2 and 3 inches across; cut out.
Next, cut out 45 to 50 petals in desired size (use small-petal template
for 2-inch center; use large petal for 3-inch center), using
accordion-fold technique. Hot-glue the petals, one at a time, onto the
back of the center disk, making 3 staggered rows so petals overlap.
Step 6
Attach the Stem
Cut a 10-inch length of 18-gauge wire and bend in half, forming a
1-inch loop at top. Bend wire gently just below loop to make flower's
neck. Attach the wire to the end of a 1/4-inch-diameter wooden dowel,
about 3 inches from the loop, and secure with white floral tape.
Hot-glue the loop to back of flower disk. Cut out 15 to 20 calyx petals,
using accordion-fold technique.
Step 7
Make Calyx
Hot-glue calyx petals to back of disk, one at a time, in staggered
rows, covering entire back from edge of flower to top of dowel. Trim
dowel to desired stem length. Cut 1-inch-wide strips of cornhusk. Wrap
stem with strips: Hot-glue one end to top of dowel, where calyx petals
end, wrap, and hot-glue at other end. Repeat until stem is covered.
Step 8
Arrange Finished Sunflowers
Place finished sunflowers in a vase to create a seasonal arrangement.
All images and directions are from marthastewart.com
