Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman
Make a Phalaenopsis Orchid from autumn leaves
- 25 September 2013
- click to send Christine a smile
![Score the outlines of the two petals Score the outlines of the two petals](/images/2013/09/score-the-outlines-of-the-two-petals-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Score the outlines of the two petals on to a fall leave
![Score the outlines of the sepels Score the outlines of the sepels](/images/2013/09/score-the-outlines-of-the-sepels-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Score the outlines of the sepels...
![Score the outlines of the stigma and lobe. Score the outlines of the stigma and lobe.](/images/2013/09/score-the-outlines-of-the-stigma-and-lobe-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Score the outlines of the stigma and lobe on to a thicker orange leaf. Flip the leaf over to score the dull side.
![Cut out the lobe leaf and trace a second lobe Cut out the lobe leaf and trace a second lobe](/images/2013/09/cut-out-the-lobe-leaf-and-trace-a-second-lobe-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Cut out the lobe leaf and trace a second lobe, this time use a thinner leaf of similar colour.
![Extend the lobe on the thinner leaf before cutting it out Extend the lobe on the thinner leaf before cutting it out](/images/2013/09/extend-the-lobe-on-the-thinner-leaf-before-cutting-it-out-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Extend the lobe on the thinner leaf before cutting it out
![Cut out the score pattern. Cut out the score pattern.](/images/2013/09/cut-out-the-score-pattern-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Cut out the score pattern.
![Cut out the second lobe Cut out the second lobe](/images/2013/09/cut-out-the-second-lobe-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Cut out the second lobe.
Wiring the lobe:
![Make a small loop and twist the wire Make a small loop and twist the wire](/images/2013/09/make-a-small-loop-and-twist-the-wire-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Make a small loop and twist the wire
![Make another loop to make a bow Make another loop to make a bow](/images/2013/09/make-another-loop-to-make-a-bow-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Make another loop to make a bow
![Bend one leg of the wire up and twist a loop Bend one leg of the wire up and twist a loop](/images/2013/09/bend-one-leg-of-the-wire-up-and-twist-a-loop-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Bend one leg of the wire up and twist a loop. Bend the wire down and twist two longer "legs"
![Match the wire to the lobe and adjust Match the wire to the lobe and adjust](/images/2013/09/match-the-wire-to-the-lobe-and-adjust-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Match the wire to the lobe and adjust where needed so that it follows the shape perfectly
![Evenly spread floral adhesive on the leaf lobe. Evenly spread floral adhesive on the leaf lobe.](/images/2013/09/evenly-spread-floral-adhesive-on-the-leaf-lobe-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Evenly spread floral adhesive on the leaf lobe.
![Glue the wire to the leaf Glue the wire to the leaf](/images/2013/09/glue-the-wire-to-the-leaf-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Glue the wire to the leaf
![Spread glue on the second lobe. Spread glue on the second lobe.](/images/2013/09/spread-glue-on-the-second-lobe-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Spread glue on the second lobe.
![Sandwich the two leaves Sandwich the two leaves](/images/2013/09/sandwich-the-two-leaves-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Sandwich the two leaves
![Press the edges to bond. Press the edges to bond.](/images/2013/09/press-the-edges-to-bond-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Press the edges to bond.
![Bend the column over Bend the column over](/images/2013/09/bend-the-column-over-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Bend the column over
![Curve and bend the lateral lobes Curve and bend the lateral lobes](/images/2013/09/curve-and-bend-the-lateral-lobes-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Curve and bend the lateral lobes
![Curve and bend the labellum. Curve and bend the labellum.](/images/2013/09/curve-and-bend-the-labellum-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Curve and bend the labellum.
Assemble the orchid:
![Glue two tiny stems to the underside of the petal leaves. Glue two tiny stems to the underside of the petal leaves.](/images/2013/09/glue-two-tiny-stems-to-the-underside-of-the-petal-leaves-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Glue two tiny stems to the underside of the petal leaves to slightly lift the petals when glued.
![Glue the petals to the sepels Glue the petals to the sepels](/images/2013/09/glue-the-petals-to-the-sepels-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Glue the petals to the sepels
![Press the concection point to bond flat Press the concection point to bond flat](/images/2013/09/press-the-conection-point-to-bond-flat-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Press the connection point to bond flat and fold the petals slightly up
![Glue the lobe in the center Glue the lobe in the center](/images/2013/09/glue-the-lobe-in-the-center-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Glue the lobe in the center
![Dried fall leaf orchid Dried fall leaf orchid](/images/2013/09/dried-fall-leaf-orchid-p.jpg?inside=600x600)
Design note: I loved the way this leaf orchid dried.
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