Easy No-Pin Boutonniere

Boutonnieres, or buttonhole flowers, are often a challenge to secure to the lapel of a jacket or tuxedo. In this Flower School How-To Video Leanne shares a quick and easy flowers-to-wear technique that doesn't require a pin. Using two kinds of adhesive and materials with lots of texture, the design is sturdy and secure, perfect for weddings, anniversaries, proms -- you name it! Enjoy!

Video Transcription 


Welcome to the Flower School .com video library. I'm Leanne Kesler, director of the Floral Design Institute. Today, I want to share a quick and easy way to make a boutonniere that doesn't need a pin. 


The materials I'll be working with, seeded eucalyptus, strawflower, hypericum, variegated pittosporum, and a bit of waxflower. For each of the items, I've removed all their leaves, even the little bits at the top, so that I have just the bloom naked to work with, so it's nice and clean and tidy. The base, using a bit of barked ribbon, unique, fabulous, just cutting down a single piece. Then the mechanics, one U-Glue strip and a bit of Oasis floral adhesive. 


To create the base, pull off one side of the glue strip, then place that directly on to the barked ribbon, pressing it down firmly to adhere. Then I like to cut the edges rounded, just so it's not quite so stiff. Then using your Oasis floral adhesive, just a bit towards the center, not too much, getting a nice starting point. Then I can go back with some of the leaves and the berries, placing a bit of glue on each item, because that way you have glue-to-glue, which gives you a stronger bond, placing it on. If you get a little too much, just take a second piece, add it. Again, glue-to-glue always gives you a more secure connection to make sure that it won't let go throughout the day. 


You can see, the bark still shows, and the greens just enhance. Now you can go back and add in my focal emphasis and a few more blooms. Doing the strawflower, glue on the back. Set it down and let it begin to dry slightly. Repeat, and then just as before, a small amount of glue directly onto the base so that we'll be doing glue-to-glue, tucking it in. Then holding with a slight pressure until it sets. 


The last step is to finish off with texture, taking the little bits. They're so lightweight, just a dab of glue, and tuck it in. Hypericum berries, the waxflower. Repeat, keeping everything subtle and accenting to your focal emphasis. 


The finished piece can be boxed, ready to be presented later. Then when it's time to wear it, you simply pull off the back strip and stick it directly to the clothing and it will hold perfectly. You can reposition once, after that, it's not going to stick well. A little tip, you can always send an extra glue strip. That way if they take it off and put it on too many times and it's not sticking, just stick the strip to the strip and you can start over.


For more creative inspiration, check out the website, Flower School .com. If you have questions, you can reach us there, or pick up the telephone and give us a call at 503-223-8089. Now it's your turn. Find your favorite flowers, make a no-pin boutonniere. Put it on, take a picture, post it on social media and hashtag Floral Design Institute. That way we all can see what you do as you do something you love.

  • Crowning Glory Individual Pack 32 ounce spray bottle
    Crowning Glory Individual Pack 32 ounce spray bottle
  • Fresh Flower Food Individual Pack 10 ounce tub
    Fresh Flower Food Individual Pack 10 ounce tub
  • Quick Dip Individual Pack One Pint
    Quick Dip Individual Pack One Pint
  • Oasis Floral Adhesive Individual Pack 3.9 Gram Tube
    Oasis Floral Adhesive Individual Pack 3.9 Gram Tube
  • UGlu Strips Pack of 50 1.5x3 inches
    UGlu Strips Pack of 50 1.5x3 inches