Artificial Flowers

EARLY HISTORY
At the beginning of the 18th century the French, who originally learned the art from the Italians, made great advances in the accuracy of their reproductions, and towards the end of that century the Paris manufacturers enjoyed a world-wide reputation. About the same time the art was introduced into England by French refugees, and soon afterwards it spread also to America.

PRODUCTION OF ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS.
Five main processes may be distinguished:

The first step consists of putting the fabric in gelatine in order to stiffen it.

The second consists of cutting up the various fabrics and materials employed into shapes suitable for forming the leaves, petals, etc.; this may be done by Scissors, but more often stamps are employed which will cut through a dozen or more thicknesses at one blow.

The veins of the leaves are next impressed by means of a die, and the petals are given their natural rounded forms by goffering irons of various shapes.

The next step is to assemble the petals and other parts of the flower, which is built up from the center outwards;

The fifth is to mount the flower on a stalk formed of brass or iron wire wrapped round with suitably colored material, and to fasten on the leaves required to complete the spray.