Delicate Dandelion Made of Ribbon, Glue and Fishing Line

Nature is the most brilliant designer. Therefore, we so often admire her creations and try to repeat them. In my opinion, one of the most unusual and nice creations of nature is a dandelion with pappus (“parachute”). I really wanted to make such a brooch from the materials available to me. You must admit that the task is not easy, since it is rather difficult to repeat the fuzzy and fragility of the dandelion from simple materials. Of course, I'm not the first to try to do this. Since I tried different methods, I want to show you my method of making the dandelion brooch from very simple materials: ribbon, glue and fishing line. You will have really tedious work with instant glue. So be patient.

A bit of botany: the fuzzy thing you see at dandelion is actually known as the pappus, below there is the beak and the ovary or seed called achene. The fluffy ball is the capitulum. The dandelion seed is a cypsela fruit, and its plume is a pappus, a modified calyx. https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Dandelion-papp...

P.S. I'm tired of fighting with sites that steal my instructables regardless of the license (which is indicated in the upper left corner). Sorry but I decided to add attribution to my photos. I know it looks a little annoying, but it annoys me even more to see my works under someone else's authorship or for sale.

Step 1: Gathering the Necessary Materials and Tools

white satin (or silk) ribbon, width does not matter,

instant glue with pin,

hot glue,

fishing line (braided 0.55 mm),

scissors,

a ruler,

a pen,

tweezers,

a piece of glass,

a knife,

a candle,

matches,

an iron,

a small plate.

Step 2: Preparing Threads for Pappus

Pappus will be made from the threads of ribbon. Therefore, first cut the ribbon into parts of 4.1 cm (equal to the diameter of the pappus + a small margin).

Then pull out the horizontal thread (use pin for instant glue) and unfold the pieces of ribbon to the end. You must free the vertical threads from which you will make pappus (see photo).

Some craftswomen cut the ribbon into segments equal to the radius of the pappus, then dissolve the ribbon not completely and wrap this edge around the fishing line or wire, gluing it. But I do not like this method due to the resulting thickening near the pappus.

Step 3: Making the Pappus

Spread 10 threads evenly on the glass using tweezers so that they intersect in the middle, forming a pappus (see photo).

Now you need to fasten the threads. This is the most difficult and important part. Work with instant glue quickly and accurately.

Dip the tip of the tweezers in the glue and quickly moisten the center of the pappus without moving the threads. Do this very carefully and do not hold the tweezers for a long time so that the threads do not glue to the tweezers. As soon as you see that the threads are fixed, use a knife to quickly remove the pappus from the glass (gently scrape).

It is very important not to take a lot of glue. Glue should be enough only to fix the middle of the threads. If there is a lot of glue, it will spread, the threads will begin to shift, the bonding surface with the glass will be larger, and when you will need to detach it from the glass, you will damage the pappus.

It is also very important not to delay the removal of the pappus from the glass, otherwise it will adhere firmly to the glass and upon separation you will damage the pappus.

Check if the threads are well glued in the center. If some thread has come unstuck, then you can glue it by putting it on top and repeating the procedure described above.

Periodically clean tweezers and glass.

Of course, you may not succeed all at once, but do not stop and try again.

You need to make 70 pappus.

Step 4: Making the Beak („Stem")

Align the fishing line with the warm iron.

Cut the fishing line into pieces 7 cm long.

Light a candle.

Put pappus on glass.

Slowly move the tip of the fishing line to the candle flame until you see that the tip has begun to melt. Then quickly press the molten tip into the center of the pappus perpendicularly and hold it without shifting for a few seconds.

It is important not to introduce fishing line into the flame, otherwise the tip will turn black. It is also important to keep the fishing line for a short time, otherwise the melting tip will be too large and broun.

If pappus is not connected to the fishing line, then repeat the above procedure.

Do it for all pappus.

Step 5: Trimming the Pappus

Spread the threads on the pappus and gently fold them up. Trim the edge.

If it's necessary iron the beacks with the warm iron.

Step 6: Making the Capitulum

Add a bit hot glue to the center of the plate.

Stick quickly several beaks with the pappus along the edges of the plate into the hot glue.

Let the glue harden a little.

Then add again a bit hot glue and stick the beaks to the center. Try to stick the beaks evenly.

Let the glue harden good.

Separate the capitulum from the plate.

Step 7: Enjoying the Work Done

Your Dandelion is ready!

Glue to it a brooch pin and you can use it like a brooch. Glue to it a invisible hairpin and you can use it for hair decoration. You can use it to decorate a room.