Tips for working with fabric and dried flowers
Many people think that flower arranging is only about fresh flowers. The truth is that we have far more at our disposal and it's a shame to let such beauty go to waste. Dried flowers and artificial flowers have become increasingly popular over the years. This is largely due to the fact that they have improved in quality and appearance. Of course, they each require their own level of care and here are some tips for working with such blooms.
When it comes to artificial or fabric flowers, you will notice that there are a number of varieties.The more expensive ones are usually the best quality whereas cheaper flowers may have somewhat tatty or frayed edges which is certainly not desirable. Quality artificial foliage is usually the most difficult to source. For the most part, they look rather stiff unless you spend extra and opt for the silk varieties. When working with fabric flowers, it's important that they are arranged just as you would fresh flowers. You need to create a natural and balanced display that includes flowers of different sizes and possibly different colours too. If you need to trim the stems or you want to use silk flowers in crafts, you should never cut the stem too short. If you cut too close to the base of the flower, it can result in the flower falling apart. Take care when using any type of glue and you may also want to invest in a non-transparent vase or vase fillers to hide the fact that your flowers don't need water.
As for dried flowers, there are many different ways of drying them. Each method suits some flowers more than others. This depends on the type of flower, its structure, and just how delicate it can become once dried. Many flowers lose their petals once dry which is why some blooms are pressed rather than dried. Dried flowers were once considered lacking in the colour department. Today this has changed and dried flowers can now be dyed just about any colour you like! This helps keep them vibrant in appearance even after several months.
Just like fresh flowers, dried and fabric blooms should be kept away from direct sunlight. Sunlight causes fresh flowers to wilt but it also causes artificial and dried flowers to become faded or discoloured. They should also be kept away from any sources of heat, air conditioners, fans, and so on. Another good tip to remember is to use dry floral foam (designed for dry use) if you want to create an arrangement with each bloom in just the right place.
