Threads 73: Colourful flowers

These large, colourful flowers will make a splash in your garden, and will not even require watering! You will need to dye some number four round reed and look for some 3 foot willow or shrub rods. You will also need some finer reed to start the center of the flower.

As they are going to be outside, and probably in the sun, I suggest using a good fiber reactive dye, or else keep the flowers in the shade 

These flowers are large: 40” high x 18” diameter.

To make the flower

Prepare and soak 12 petal pieces 40 inches long. and a small amount of finer colourful reed to start the center.

To make the centre of the flower, take four groups of three and centre them together, so they weave over and under each other. See the photo above.

Take your finer weaver and weave the four groups together over and under for 2 rows then slowly open out the groups until you are weaving, over and under one at a time. Continue weaving, you can leave a space, change colours or whatever your fancy. Once the flower center is firm and strong, the petals can be formed.

Make sure the petal reeds are wet and pliable before bending them down across 2 reeds and into the weaving below. See the close-up photo below. Continue around until you have a lovely flower with petals.                   

Attach the stalk

With a knife sharpened at the end, gently poke the willow or shrub rod through the flower head, across the centre and into the other side. Take a fine wet weaver and wrap it carefully around the centre of the flower. See photo.

Plant it in your garden and enjoy!

Upcoming event:

A two-day workshop to make a round Willow handbasket. 29,30 July 

LOCATION: The Cordwood Studio @ 590 Brooke Valley Rd. Perth, ON

MORE DETAILS: Please find all the information and registration details on our website www.thecordwoodstudio.com