Friday, April 30, 2010

How to Make Your Own Millinery Flower Stamens

Every once in a while I'm disappointed about my ability to secure millinery-related items.  Usually I can't find a material I once used because it's not being made anymore; if I find it, it's over priced just because it's a "millinery" item (millinery is really hot now); or it's "vintage", etc.  This time I was disappointed because I purchased several separate packages of stamens from a seller on my favorite auction site; you know the one.  I emailed the seller to ask for a discount on postage, since the stamens could all be mailed in the same envelope.  I should have known better when the seller didn't email me back.  Well! I received the stamens in one package of nasty brown paper bag torn and taped together.  I would have appreciated the stamens costing more and the postage being what it should have been.  This act led me to experiment with making my own stamens.

 After experimenting with a number of things, I found that the things shown in the image to your left gave me the best results.  These included glazed hand quilting thread, acrylic paint, and fabric stiffener.  First, I rolled my flower petals and set them aside. I cut the thread into strands approximately 24 inches long, dipped them into the fabric stiffener, and then I hung them across a clothing rack to dry (do not let strands touch). The drying only takes a few minutes.  After drying, I rapped the thread around a 2 1/2- inch piece of cardboard that I used as a cutting gauge.  Next, I cut each end of the thread.  Finally, I dipped each end into the acrylic paint.


After I dipped the stamen tips, I set them aside to dry.  I used a gridded aluminum pan, but just about anything that would  allow the stamen tips to hang over without touching each other would do.

Finally, the stamens are finished.  One group of stamens on the tray below is commercially prepared; can you tell which one?  They are the stamens on the extreme left.  To the right of these are stamens that I double dipped, first in yellow paint and then in purple paint to obtain the same effect as the first group of stamens (click on the image to enlarge it.).  I used the non-gloss paint for the second dip because it is not as thick as the glossy paint.




Tips:  For a larger stamen tip, dip stamen ends several times.  The glossy paint yields a larger stamen tip because it is thicker.  Also, setting the paint aside for approximately 15 minutes before dipping will also yield a larger tip because the paint thickens the longer it is exposed to the air.

I know this is not for everyone, but for those of us that just like to make things, this will work.  Enjoy!

24 comments:

  1. this flower is marvelous. I hope I find some time to try to do one some time soon! Thank you so much, I really enjoy your blog.

    gigi

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  2. Thanks Gigi,

    I really appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment.

    Lee

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  3. First of all - the end result is amazing! Sexondly, thank you for the wonderful post full of helpfull tips. While working with Stehen Jones I discovered that he loves to use unusual materials. For, example, in your case he would use spray paint or nail polish. :-)
    Thank you for your wonderful, supportive comment under my "Worst Monday Ever" post. It took me a while to recover, this things do not happen to me often, not to mention all at once.I do not know what I was more upset about: my stitches or broken Prada shoe...It was a tough week. I am wishing you wonderful Mother's Day and hope it will be filled with beautiy and love!:-)

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  4. Thank you so much. May you and all of the women in your life and my followers' lives have a wonderful mother's day.

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  5. Wow good for you. making your own stamens is hard core. I found a great stamen supplier, Martin Meyer Imports. Don't blame you if you just enjoy the process, but thought I'd share if you were interested.

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  6. Thanks a million; I checked out the Meyer site and saw that it has an extensive selections of stamens. I just love making things. Nothing can replace the peace of loosing one's self in her/his hobby.

    Lee

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  7. lovely flower, Lee. Can't wait to take another class.

    Mari :)

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  8. Thank you so much for this tutorial! I hate having to spend the prices that you see for stamens right now and have been looking for a way to make them myself :)

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  9. Thanks,

    I'm glad that it was helpful; and also, thanks so much for leaving your comments.

    Lee

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  10. i hand dye silks for flower making and have had trouble finding stamens in colors that work with my hand dyes. thanks for providing a solution!

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  11. You're welcome. I remember using shibori on a couple of my hats after seeing your blog some time ago.

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  12. Just came across this tutorial and I'm really interested, as I can't seem to find stamens in Melbourne at all. I was wondering if it matters which brand of fabric stiffener one uses, I notice you have got the Plaid one in the photo. I'm really looking forward to trying this, thank you so much for the post!

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  13. You're welcome. I have to admit that my home is one big craft(in a small space) supply container. Stiffy is the fabric stiffener I had on hand; I'm not familiar with other fabric stiffeners. I was so surprised that, when the thread dried, it was practically identical in texture to the manufactured stamen thread. I would imagine that starch would do the same thing. Another tip: let the acrylic paint set up for approximately 3 to five minutes before you dip the thread. Also, I used my waxed quilting thread for this project; I also use this when sewing my hats. This is much cheaper than millinery thread (also waxed thread).

    Good luck,

    Lee

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  14. Lee, thank you for this tutorial, I was trying to figure out a way to do it! Also, the flower in your post is one that is very similar to one that I had for a hair ornament for my prom, 33 years ago. My high school english teacher made it for me and it was out of organdy or organza and had that same very tiny rolled edge to the petals. I have been looking for the instructions on how to make them for a bit now. I lost the orginal piece and do not even have it as an example. Is there a link to any instructions on how to make this flower, a pict. tutorial would be great, I am a visual learner. I will post a link on my blog!

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  15. Hi Sonya,

    I'll create a tutorial when I get chance. Meanwhile, pick a rose or purchase an artificial rose as a template. Make a patter, but smooth the edges of the petal. Lay the template on the bias on some silk organza fabric. Dilute some white glue or Stiffy and moisten the edges of the petals with it. Finally, roll the edges between the fingers to get the roll. Wrap a floral wire half way between your double ended stamens and fold the stamens over. Either push the stamens through the middle of multiple cut petals or add individual petals round the wire and stamens and secure with glue (in both cases). Use your purchased flower as an example of how to lay the petals. I found a cute tutorial here http://www.howcast.com/videos/386948-How-To-Make-Silk-Flowers, but this is different from the rolled flower I make.

    Good Luck!

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  16. would it work with string and fabric stiffener?

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  17. I guess it would depend on how thick the string is and the effect you would like to achieve. I've never used thick string; so, experiment.

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  18. I found stamens and other supplies from www.newsheer.com, the price is very good.

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  19. Thanks, I just like to make my own or buy the vintage ones because the rose stamens have a flat look. I'm sure some of the readers would appreciate this site. Thanks again, Lee

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  20. hatjunkie and anonymous, thanks for those sites. i sell vintage millinery flowers and was toying with the idea of adding some new supply items. ps I combine shipping... ha ha.

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  21. I make paper flowers and this is a Godsend. Thanks for sharing. No more paying $15 for stamens!!

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  22. I was going through the same thing and developed an almost identical process to make mine as well! Great minds think alike! I am experimenting with using good old white glue (watered down) as a stiffener as well, and dipping the tips in hot glue for extra bulk, or as one other commenter said (nail polish). Awesome that I found you, I will be perusing your blog now to see if there are other things like this that help people like me who love the detail work and creating their own thing. Thanks so much for sharing this!!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Ferdinand,

      Sometimes it's all about creating our own details. I love to experiment and to make do with what I have on hand.

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