Let’s Look At - Fastening Materials . . .

A toolbox should contain fastening materials such as tapes and twine!

In my toolbox, I carry a roll of floral wrap tape, and waterproof floral tape in green and clear. I also include a roll of green florist twine. These are the most useful fasteners for me. This is how I use them.

Waterproof tape is used to hold the floral foam to the design container. I also use it to make a crisscross on the top of a vase, such as roses, to hold the stems in place. I keep green and clear in my toolbox. Some clear decorative vases look more elegant when the tape is invisible.

Floral wrap tape is essential for fresh flowers. (The light green tape in this picture.) It is used in many facets of floral design. This tape is a thin strip of crepe paper lightly encased in wax. To start this tape, hold the end between the index finger and thumb. Pull the tape over the item are you are securing. As the tape passes through the finger the friction created activates the wax to secure it to itself. This tape can be used to create blooms from flower petals. These can be used in corsages, boutonnieres, and bouquets used in weddings. Others uses of floral wrap tape include covering florist wire. Covering the wire has many uses. It conceals the wire, keeps the wire from cutting the pieces that are being connected, and hold parts together, such as a bow.

Florist twine has been used for decades, maybe even centuries! This twine is also covered with wax. This allows the twine to be used with water. This twine is used to create the Arm Bouquets you see in beauty events. The greenery is tied to the stems of the blooms  and the stems are arranged to create the bouquets. This twine is very strong! It will tie arrangements to permanent fixtures. Be careful, like a wire, this twine can cut and it very painful!