starting with these beautiful carnations above. people tend to forget about these flowers that are perfect for tossing into your floral arrangement. just think about the vast colors and textures. if you don't fancy real flowers, check out the imitation one's on temu.
Easy To Make Ric Rac Flowers
Before we dive in, can we talk about how ric rac is having a serious moment right now?
This wavy little trim that probably adorned your childhood dresses has strutted its way from kids’ clothes right onto the fashion runways.
And if it’s good enough for high fashion, it’s definitely good enough for our living rooms!
Materials
Ric Rac, Medium or Jumbo
Needle and matching thread
Paint brushes & palette: For your inner artist
Tools
Iron
Pins
Scissors
Hot glue gun and glue stick, optional
Instructions
1.) Fold length in half, twist rows together with bumps fitting into valleys
Take about 18 to 24 inches of ric rac (longer for statement blooms, shorter for dainty ones). Fold it in half lengthwise. Now here’s where it gets fun – twist these two rows together, making sure the bumps of one piece nestle into the valleys of the other.
Think of it like they’re hugging! Each zigzag should interlock with its partner. Don’t panic when it looks like a wrinkly mess – that’s perfectly normal at this stage. Just pin those free ends together to keep them from unraveling one you’re done twisting.
2.)
Grab your iron, crank up the steam, and press that lumpy, bumpy ric rac sandwich until it lies flat and behaves itself. The heat and steam help train those fibers to stay in their new interlocked position.
Pro tip: Use a pressing cloth and a more moderate temperature if your ric rac is synthetic – melted ric rac is definitely NOT part of this craft!
3.) Now for the transformation! Start with the folded end – this will be the center of your bloom.
Begin wrapping the ric rac around itself, keeping it tight for the first few turns to form a nice bud center.
Thread your needle with a double length of thread, knot the ends, and tack through the bottom of the flower every circle or two. This keeps your creation from springing open like one of those joke snake-in-a-can pranks.
PRO TIP: If you’re struggling to keep it tight while stitching, a tiny dab of hot glue can hold things in place while you sew. I won’t tell the craft police!
4.)
Continue spiraling your ric rac outward, maintaining even tension. As you reach the outer layers, you can loosen up a bit to create a more “blooming” effect. Keep securing with stitches every circle or two.
You say when it’s done!
When your bloom is looking good, cut off any excess trim. Fold under the raw edge and stitch securely.
Now for the magical transformation! Gently fold the outer petals back away from the center, creating that perfect “just bloomed” look. You can open as many or as few petals as you like – some flowers are shy, others like to show off!
Once you’ve arranged your petals just so, use your hot iron to encourage those open petals to stay that way. A quick press will help them remember their new position, standing open, proud, and beautiful.
STYLE TIP: For a more dramatic flower, open more petals and press them flatter. For a younger bloom look, just open a few of the outermost petals while keeping the inner ones tightly spiraled.
Moment of truth: Is your flower looking a bit lopsided? Embrace it! Real flowers aren’t perfectly symmetrical either – it’s called “character”!
Creating Ric Rac Buds
Use just a single layer of ric rac
Press so the bumps fold up onto the center of the trim – these will be your tightly closed petals
Start by tacking that first tiny fold in place with your needle and thread
Roll 3-4 more “petals” tightly around the center one
Secure this group with a few stitches
When it looks just right, as plump as you want, cut your trim at a valley (dip), fold it under, and tack in place
Make it botanical-
Paint the bottom and about halfway up the sides with leaf-green craft paint thinned with textile medium.
Or wrap a skinny green ribbon around the base and down to create a stem. So cute you might actually squeal!