Corsage Cuff Tutorial

This tutorial is long overdue, patiently waiting in the queue of projects needing to be documented.  When Kirsten and Jordan asked me to join in their [along with Delia!] colorfully delightful series Color My Summer, I still wasn't planning on doing this as my tutorial.  I was in the process of dying fabric and readying my supplies for another sewing project, but looking back at some photos I saw my Corsage Cuff pleading with me to be debuted....in orange, of course!

Color My Summer has been so fun because I love me some bright colors.  I also love neutrals, but I do lean toward the ROY G BIV types of projects.  I first made the Corsage Cuff over a year ago and they showed up in my Ruched Headband Tutorial photos I did for Dana's "Celebrating Mom" series.  But then I had people asking how I made the bracelet that accompanied them:

 Here it is, the Corsage Cuff Tutorial:

I also ended up using hot glue for the cuff backing and tucking in extra flowers in sparse spots.

Measure your wrist and decide the width you want.  I did 1" wide on this one, but I'll be honest, I think I prefer them either 3/4" or 1/2", just make sure your ribbon backing is the same width so it will fit properly without trimming or fraying.

 Cut the measured size out of the plastic packaging and round the corners.

 Begin by wrapping the floral tape [which comes in brown, green, and white] by stretching it slightly as you pull and warp.  It will naturally adhere to itself.  You can find this at any craft store in their artificial flower section.

 Take all the smaller bunches of flowers off the branches and begin wrapping the floral tape around them, a few at a time, leaving 1/2" free of flowers.  Try to wrap as closely to the flower head as possible which will prevent them from popping up once you wrap the cuff around your wrist.

 Fill in one half of the cuff.

 Flip it around and do the other half, leaving a space in the center as large as your button/cabochon.

 Bend the cuff and if there are any sparse spots, use some hot glue to add a few more flowers, like I did on the left side of mine.

 Glue your cabochon or button, nestled in the center.  I use this E-6000 frequently, as it has a great hold once it dries [give it about 24 hours].

 For the backing, curve the cuff and add some hot glue, securing the ribbon in place.  Leave the center of ends free of glue, however, as this is where you'll punch the hole for the ribbon.

Use a hole punch to make a small hole in the center of each end for the ribbon.  Optional: you can also add a grommet if you have a grommet thing.  Add a small amount of fray check on each end of the ribbon backing and the ribbon tie and you're finished!

And there's no need to wait for that special occasion to wear this.  I love it with a pair of jeans and t-shirt.

So, go ahead and celebrate you, any day you want!