American Beauty Rose

This rose may be made of silk or satin; it may have as many petals as

desired. Each petal is cut from a piece of folded material like the

diagram (1). It is highly important that the folded edge be on a true

bias. Begin the rose by cutting three petals like the illustration, with

the bias edge one and one-half inches long. Run a gathering thread

one-eighth of an inch from the curved edge, leaving a thread one inch

long so that the petal may be adjusted as it is pinned in place. Make a

loop one inch long on the end of a piece of wire six inches long. Cover

this loop with a small circle of the material like the rose. It is

sometimes found to be advantageous to fill this circle with cotton to

make a soft center for the rose.



For an ordinary-sized rose there should be eighteen petals. The first

three are already described as having a one and one-half-inch bias. The

next larger in size should have a two-inch bias and be correspondingly

wider; the next five should have a two and one-half-inch bias, and the

next five a three-inch bias. The three small petals should be arranged

around the covered loop of wire and pinned in place before sewing. Sew

securely. Each row, as it is arranged according to size, should be

pinned in place and scrutinized carefully to see that it is placed

effectively. Each row should be placed a little higher than the

preceding one. See that the face of the flower looks as nearly like a

real rose as possible, allowing the back to look as it will.



With a little experience one soon becomes efficient and learns how to

adjust the different materials. Some materials being more pliable than

others, the shape of the petals may be changed slightly to meet the

need. The back of the rose may be finished by adding a sufficient number

of green leaves taken from some discarded flower or bought for the

purpose. A small green cup is also added to finish the base; these may

be bought at ribbon counters. The bud used with this rose may be made by

using the three smallest petals. Some green foliage must also be used

with this rose and the stem bound with a narrow gray-green ribbon, or

with gum tissue which should be warmed before using. The inside petals

may be of a darker shade than the outside petals.