Rick Rack Flowers - the Possibilities are Endless!

As promised, I'll spend today's post talking about Rick Rack flowers and walking you through the simple steps to flower perfection. When I first learned about this possibility I was a bit nervous. To me, Rick Rack screams obnoxious clown costume or holiday sweater, NOT wedding elegance.

Case in point -

Not Pretty.

 I was pleasantly surprised with the gorgeous outcome.

Pretty.  (See the difference?)

The steps to making one of these beauties are going to look a little bit complicated.  Once you make your first, though, you'll easily be able to whip up a dozen during an episode of The Bachelor or Modern Family, whatever you prefer.  I tried to take a picture of each step because it's so much easier to be able to visualize everything.  You will notice that I used colored thread - this is for demonstration purposes only.  I suggest matching your thread to the color of your Rick Rack, although if you do a good job you won't really be able to tell anyway.  PLEASE leave a comment if you feel that I'm missing a step or if you have any questions, I will be more than happy to expand more if needed.  Here goes!

step one:  cut each piece of Rick Rack so that you can count sixteen waves on the "top" and fifteen waves + the two ends on the "bottom."  I did try different size variations, and this seemed to be the smallest amount of Rick Rack needed to make a flower that is still full looking (using less material = less $ = happy me!).

sixteen waves on top and fifteen on the bottom

step two: sew through each wave on the "top" of the Rick Rack, folding them like a fan as you go.  You will go through all 16 waves.  Make sure your thread has a knot at the end!

fold the Rick Rack like a fan as you go

When finished, your Rick Rack should look like this:

front view

side view

step three:  slide the Rick Rack down to the knot in your thread.  Tie both ends of thread together to form a loop - make sure it's tight!  Don't cut the thread yet.

if done correctly your Rick Rack should look like a goofy caterpillar

tie both ends of thread together in a loop

at this point your Rick Rack is starting to look like a flower, but the top and bottom are indistinguishable (is that a word?)

step four:  to add shape to your flower, lay it on the table with the "bottom" facing up (remember, that's the side with the two cut ends).  Without cutting the thread, start sewing through the inside corners of the waves.  When you make it all the way around the circle you can tie the ends together again.  Now cut the thread.

sew through the inside corners of the waves

pull tight to bring the sides together

step five:  turn the flower over so the correct side is facing up.  It should look more like a flower now, with two threads going through the center.  Spread the petals evenly and put the tip of your finger in each to help fluff them up.

two threads run through each flower, giving it shape

step six: now it's time to add the stamen to the flower.  I found that these really were an important step that added the perfect finishing touch.  You can find flower stamen in any craft store.  I usually find them in the cake decorating section.

adding the flower's stamen will be the perfect final touch!

Fold the stamen in half and insert it through the center of the flower, starting at the top.  I had a bit of trouble getting the fragile stamen wire through some of the flowers, and I found that a plastic fork with all but one of the tines removed was the perfect tool!  Leave a loop at the bottom of the stamen so that you can later attach a wire, if desired. 

insert the stamen from the top down, leaving a loop at the bottom

step seven:  use tacky glue on the bottom of the flower to keep the cut ends of the Rick Rack from fraying, and the stamen in place.  Any tacky or fabric glue should work.

the tacky glue I used to finish off the flower

step eight:  let your imagination run wild!  I used these flowers in my brooch bouquet as fillers and was very happy with the result.  They would also make adorable headbands, hair clips, brooches, etc.  To add them to my bouquet I wrapped floral wire through the stamen loop.  To keep them from drooping over I used floral tape.

Rick Rack flower with wire covered in floral tape

Now you're finished!  

I used yellow Rick Rack flowers in the bouquets that I made for my bridesmaids, as well as the groomsmen boutonnieres and mother wrist corsages.  Don't they look a bit like popcorn all piled together like this?

I hope you enjoyed!  Again, let me know if you have any questions!  Please Follow, Pin, Share, Like, etc!  If you would like to order any handmade flowers from me just send me an email or comment below.

do it yourself - and I'll help!

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