## Lace Flowers

- 1 3/4" wide lace hem facing
- matching thread
- sewing needle
- pearl stamens ( available at craft supply stores)
- 3 to 5 fabric of paper leaves per flower
- No. 19 stem wire
- wire cutters
- green floral tape
- masking tape
- cotton balls

For each flower cut an 18" length and a 12" length of lace. Trim one long side of the 12" length of lace following the design of the lace. This produces a nice ruffled edge. On the opposite side (the straight edge, run a gathering stitch about 1/8" from the edge. Gather the running stitch tightly and tack the short edges together. Without trimming the 18" length, run a gathering stitch along one edge. Gather the running stitch placing the larger piece of lace around the smaller piece. Tack the short ends together. Fasten about 20 stamens together with floral tape and insert into the center of the smaller piece.

Place a length of stem wire beside the stamen stems and wrap them together with masking tape. Wrap a cotton ball around the base of the flower and wrap the cotton ball with floral tape. Continue wrapping the floral tape around the base of the stem placing 3 to 5 leaves along the stem as you wrap.