Eight Basic Flower
Arranging Designs
If
you are used to working with fresh flowers, it will take some time to
get used to all the possibilities and limitations when using silks. Though
so similar in use, artificial flowers are an entirely different art form.
The line, focal, filler technique is an excellent way to design artificial
and dried flower arrangements.
Horizontal Arrangements
1. Using a relatively
shallow container, anchor foam with a lot of glue or use anchor pins, and
position sprays of line flowers to establish the shape of the design.
2. Insert focal flowers in
the middle so they gently droop over the lip of the container on both sides,
reach towards the line material and extend on either side of the middle.
Leave room for filler flowers.
3. Fill in and around focal
area with filler flowers and foliage.
Vertical Arrangements
1. Wedge or secure foam in a vase with hot glue. Cut the stems of the tallest flowers or leaves to reach three or four times the height of the vase.
2.
Place the focal flowers vertically within the diameter of the vase.
3.
Fill in the areas as needed with filler flowers.
Triangular
Arrangements
1. Secure floral foam.
Determine the vertical height and horizontal width with the smallest line
flowers and/or leaves. Make the height higher than the width.
2. Position the largest
focal flowers in the heart of the arrangement and slightly lower to give
weight and balance.
3. Fill in with the filler
flowers and foliage keeping within the triangular shape.
Crescent Arrangements
1. Secure
foam in container. Determine length of crescent and insert curved line
flowers or leaves to follow the crescent form. Angle the shape to balance in
the container.
2. Insert the focal flowers
fairly low in the bowl to achieve balance, stability and depth.
3. Fill in around the focal
flowers with smaller flowers and foliage. Place wisps of filler flowers that
gracefully taper off the ends.
Oval arrangements
1. Secure the floral foam.
Determine the height with line flowers, then frame in the outer edges of the
oval shape with light colored flowers and foliage.
2. Place
the largest, strongest or brightest flowers in the focal area.
3. Fill in around the
larger flowers and leaves with the filler flowers.
Minimal Arrangements
1. Adhere foam to
container. Insert vertical line flowers to determine the height, and secure
the horizontal line flowers to give the basic outline of the arrangement.
2.
Place the focal flowers.
3. Fill in with filler
flowers as needed.
The lazy
"S" or "Hogarth's Curve"
1. Anchor
the foam securely. Bend the stems gently into graceful curves and insert
them in place so they balance.
2. Add
the focal flowers following the lines of the upper and lower curves.
3. Cluster
filler blossoms and foliage around the central flowers maintaining the
rhythm of the ‘S’.
Free Standing Arrangements
1. Fill a shallow container
with foam that extends one inch over the top. Secure the foam with hot glue,
floral clay or floral tape. Define the shape of the design with the line
flowers and leaves.
2. Place the focal flowers
and leaves, turning the vase as you go so all the sides are even.
3. Add filler flowers to
integrate the design.
Continue in Floral Design instruction with Arranging and Drying Flowers and Greenery
