Introduction: How to Make a Duct Tape Corsage and Flowers
I didn't want to buy in to the wasteful "buy, wear for a few hours, throw away" corsage culture, so I decided to make a more economical, longer lasting, and greener alternative.
This instructable will teach you how to make duct tape flowers and then use those flowers to make a corsage. The flowers and corsage will last forever and are waterproof, recyclable, hypo-allergenic, and just plain cool! They are also cheaper than a normal corsage and don't require a trip to the florist.
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Step 1: Gather Your Materials
You will need:
-Duct tape (Varying colors add some "wow")
-Floral wire (cut-up coat hangers or similar wire will also suffice)
-Thin, bendable wire (I used electrical solid-core hook-up wire)
-X-acto knife
-Scissors
Step 2: The Stems
Cut the floral wire to an appropriate length, anywhere from 4"-7". If it is too long, you can always trim it or curl the ends up.
If you don't want the green color of the floral wire to show, cover it in duct tape as shown here. I also added a white strip of tape in a corkscrew pattern for decoration.
You will need three stems, one for each flower. 1
Step 3: The Petals
The most tedious part of making any duct tape flower is the petals, it is also one of the most important.
Cut a 2" strip of duct tape (it should be square, 2"x2").
Fold one corner over as shown, then fold the other corner to create a point.
This can seem tricky, the pictures should clear any confusion.
Rinse and repeat until you have enough petals for three flowers. I used 16 petals to create each small flower-- 48 in total (24 black, 24 red).
Step 4: Assembling the Flower
Place one petal on the stem as shown, at a slight angle. Then wrap the petal all the way around the stem. Affix the next petal as shown, with the point opposing the point of the first petal and wrap it around, over the first petal.
Continue until the flowers have reached the desired size.
I added white tape to the edges of the petals of one flower to achieve a white trim on one flower.
Step 5: Combine the Flowers
Arrange the flowers with the center flower raised slightly above the others and wrap a small strip of tape around the stems to hold this position.
Step 6: Make the Leaves
To create the leaves, fold a 6" strip of duct tape over on itself so that no adhesive is exposed. Then, use the x-acto knife to cut out a leaf shape. Repeat to make four or five leaves.
Decoration can be added to the leaves for some subtle flair. I cut a "C" and a "W" out of red tape and affixed each letter to the face of a leaf, as the recipient of the corsage's initials was "CW."
Step 7: Affix the Wire to the Leaves
Cut a small piece of the lighter, more flexible wire to the length of a leaf, plus one inch. Use a piece of tape to affix the wire to the leaf, making sure the wire is completely covered on the face of the leaf. Do this for each leaf.
Step 8: Attaching the Leaves to the Flowers
Tape the extra wire to where the stems of the flowers are held together, make sure the side with the wire is facing down. Arrange the leaves with two (or three) under the flowers and two behind them.
Step 9: Almost Done!
Now that the corsage is constructed, add the finishing touches. I curled the ends of the stems to cut down on their length and to make the corsage more comfortable to wear.
There are a few options to make the corsage wear-able: you could simply pin it, or create a wrist strap. I used the electrical wire that was used in an earlier step to make a wrist strap by braiding it and tying the edges into a knot. The wristlet was then woven between flowers and held on the wrist by twisting the knotted ends together.
Step 10: Enjoy!
You have just made a totally unique, re-usable, and long-lasting corsage that will certainly stand out in a crowd/prom/wedding/etc.
Unlike a normal corsage, this will last for years and years, can be re-used, and altered to match any outfit. (Just add some new color)
Please remember to vote and rate!
Thanks!
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27 Comments
7 years ago on Introduction
this is awesome I have been trting to learn how to make these
8 years ago on Introduction
I probably wont make a corsage with this, but im definitely going to make the flowers, thanks for the awesome tutorial :D
10 years ago on Introduction
I don't post a lot of tutorials because all my creations, techniques, & items are patent & copyright pending, but feel free to check out my company's facebook page Duck Duct Bloom for some awesome duck tape items. We are a fully operating company with 3 employees and I'm always looking for exceptional crafters who are willing to work as independent contractors.
10 years ago on Introduction
Many of my friends think of me when they think of ducttape. I made for instance a had, a wallet, a purse and drink coasters. When we last had a student ball, I couldn't buy a normale corsage and made these for me and my girl. So thanks for the great instructable.
11 years ago on Step 1
I love duct tape and i have made qa duct tape with all sorts of stuff and i made $300 dollars so far and i am 15 this bouquet is my most popular thnak you so much!!!1
11 years ago on Introduction
Very nice idea.. I'll try this once I get my own duct tape.
To anybody interested, i found this great website that has everything you can imagine about duct tape, check it out!
http://tapedcoats.zxq.net/
12 years ago on Introduction
Like it, and the colors you used. Thinking about trying this with some patterned duct tapes, like the ones here. The houndstooth pattern might be cool...
12 years ago on Introduction
overall one of the best duct tape ibles i have ever seen and very creative but if I was a girl, I would think it being tied with wire around my wrist would seem uncomfortable
12 years ago on Introduction
Very cool! I read another article where the makers of duct tape held a contest for teens to make their prom dresses out of duct tape. The pictures were amazing! Some were really creative.
13 years ago on Step 10
Wow!
13 years ago on Introduction
looking at the petals on a couple of the flowers, it looks like you doubled the petals (covered a petal again) to make the petals more colorful and also with a bit more mass to it; did you do that?
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
I added white tape to the edges of some petals to get a white trim.
13 years ago on Introduction
i made one for my mum and she thought it was beautiful and a work of art, thanks for the instructable without it i would never haver figgued out how to do it!! cheers
14 years ago on Introduction
How do you vote?
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Voting doesn't open until April 20th, so please check back soon!
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Alright, thanks!
14 years ago on Introduction
I am going to a Twilight "Prom" at the public library, and I am so totally going to make this. Thanks for the great instructable. -Goes to buy duct tape-
14 years ago on Introduction
I like this better than the Duct tape Rose 'ible, because the assembly photos were more complete. +1
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Thank you. I once saw the Duct Tape Rose one, but it was a little vague and confusing, which is why I took as many photos as I could during assembly.
14 years ago on Introduction
Wasnt this already posted?