Silk flowers are sold by the stem. Their designs begin in nature. For example, a designer might study the magnolia tree and cut out individual parts as models for a silk flower. The petals are cut from silk with cutting dies, three or four of them for different sized petals. Several tools are also needed to produce the leaves. These tools are expensive to purchase and machine, so the manufacturer has to make a significant financial commitment each time he invests in a new design.
While real flowers need sunlight, water, and soil to stay fresh, silk flowers require no such maintenance. Silk flowers do not wilt or freeze and are suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Silk flowers can also be scented and require minimal maintenance. And because they are washable, you can change their colors and fragrances to suit the seasons. In addition, you can change the design of your silk flower arrangement without compromising the quality of the real thing.
Despite the low-maintenance nature of silk flowers, they are breathtakingly real. You have to touch them to tell the difference. Silk trees and plants are an excellent way to bring the feel and color of nature into an otherwise sterile space. Hobbyists also find artificial flowers a fun and rewarding hobby. They can also be purchased for gifts or as decorations for homes. Silk flowers and other artificial plants make lovely ornaments, and they can be used for special occasions such as weddings.
Artificial florals originated in the twelfth century in Italy. Italians learned how to weave silkworm cocoons into velvety blooms. They sold these silk flowers to their European neighbors. French silk flower artisans were at the top of their game by the fourteenth century and were widely used by royals and aristocrats. Silk rosebuds were so beautiful that Marie Antoinette fainted when she saw it. French flower artisans fled after the Revolution and the silk flower industry took off in England.
Historically, silk flowers were handcrafted, and they were extremely expensive to own. Now, however, silk is used to mass-produce artificial flowers and plants for the mass market. The best-quality versions of these artificial flowers are often made from cotton fibers, rayon, and silk. The stems are formed using wires of various diameters and wrapped in durable dyed paper. The flowers are then molded into desired shapes. Silk flowers can cost as little as $2 per stem!
Some manufacturers use artificial branches in real trees. Other manufacturers insert real tree trunks to make artificial trees. Some faux flowers even have holes and thorns that look like damage caused by insects. They do not need water, sunlight, fertilizer, or any other type of tender care. Moreover, they can be purchased at a high-end floral supplier. This article explores the differences between silk flowers and their realistic counterparts. Once you decide which type of faux flower is right for your home, the next step is to choose the right method.