How to Make a Dried Flower Buttonhole:
Step-by-Step Tutorial
Easy How to Instructions to Make a Beautiful, Natural DIY Wreath at Home
Time needed: around 15 minutes.
A dried flower buttonhole is a beautiful, long‑lasting alternative to fresh flowers — perfect for weddings, proms, and special occasions. In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to make a dried flower buttonhole using simple materials and a few easy techniques. Dried flowers are lightweight, durable, and hold their shape all day, making them ideal for buttonholes that need to look perfect from morning to night. This guide shows you how to choose your stems, build a neat mini‑bundle, and finish your buttonhole so it’s ready to pin onto a suit or jacket.
Materials Needed
Scissors & Wire Cutters
Floral Wire
(24 gauge)
Florist Tape
Dried Flowers & Foliage
Ribbon or Jute String
Pin (to fasten to jacket)
If you’re growing your own flowers, our growing tips page shares how to get strong, healthy blooms that dry beautifully.
Step 1 – Choose and Prepare Your Stems
Select a small mix of dried stems that complement your colour palette.
Buttonholes work best with a combination of:
1 focal stem (strawflower, rosebud, helichrysum, gomphrena)
2–3 filler stems (statice, limonium, achillea, lavender)
1–2 textural accents (bunny tails, grasses, phalaris, nigella pods)
Trim all stems to around 6–10 cm so they sit neatly together without bulk. Remove any loose petals or broken pieces so the final buttonhole looks clean and intentional.
Step 2 – Build The Mini Bundle
Building your buttonhole
- Hold your stems together in your hand and arrange them so the flower heads sit at slightly different heights. This gives the buttonhole shape and movement rather than a flat, blocked look.
Keep the bundle small — roughly the width of two fingers — so it sits neatly on a lapel.
Step 3 – Wire and Tape the Buttonhole
Wrap and Secure The Stems
- Once you’re happy with the arrangement, wrap the stems 2–3 times with thin florist wire (24–26 gauge). Keep the wire snug but not crushing.
- Wrap the entire stem section with florist tape. Stretch the tape slightly as you wrap — the tension activates the adhesive and gives a smooth, professional finish. Continue wrapping until all wire is covered and the stem section feels neat and secure.
Step 4 – Finishing Touches
Finish With Ribbon or Twine
- Trim the stem ends so they’re even and tidy. If you’d like to add ribbon, choose a colour that complements your flowers — silk, velvet, or cotton all work beautifully. Tie a small bow or wrap a short length around the stem and secure with glue for a clean finish.
- Your buttonhole is now ready to pin. Use a strong pearl‑headed pin and attach it from behind the lapel, catching the stem securely so it sits upright and doesn’t twist during the day.
Troubleshooting
Crafting with dried flowers can be delicate, so here are quick fixes for the most common issues people run into while making a buttonhole.
The bundle looks too big…
Remove one filler stem and rebuild.
Why are my stems slipping?
Wrap wire slightly tighter before taping.
The tape isn’t sticking?
Stretch the tape more as you wrap – tension activates the adhesive.
My buttonhole keeps leaning forward
Pin it higher on the lapel and angle the stem slightly inward.
FAQs
Can I make dried flower buttonholes in advance?
Yes — dried flowers last for years. Make them weeks ahead and store them safely.
Do dried buttonholes shed?
Some delicate stems may shed slightly. Choose sturdy varieties for weddings.
Can I match the buttonhole to a bouquet?
Absolutely — use the same focal flowers and colour palette for a cohesive look.
Have a question that’s not answered here? Check out our full FAQ page.
Care Instructions
Store your finished buttonhole somewhere dry and out of direct sunlight and keep it flat so the stems don’t bend. Transport it in a small box lined with tissue paper. Dried flowers are long‑lasting, so you can make buttonholes days or even weeks in advance. For long-lasting results, follow our simple dried flower care guide to keep your stems looking their best.
Enjoy Your Dried Flower Buttonhole!
Enjoy your dried flower buttonhole, a long-lasting, elegant finishing touch you can easily make yourself for weddings, proms and special occasions.
Want to see more DIY dried flower projects? View our tutorials page.
How to Make a Dried Flower Buttonhole:
Step-by-Step Tutorial
Easy How to Instructions to Make a Beautiful, Natural DIY Wreath at Home
Time needed: around 15 minutes.
A dried flower buttonhole is a beautiful, long‑lasting alternative to fresh flowers — perfect for weddings, proms, and special occasions. In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to make a dried flower buttonhole using simple materials and a few easy techniques. Dried flowers are lightweight, durable, and hold their shape all day, making them ideal for buttonholes that need to look perfect from morning to night. This guide shows you how to choose your stems, build a neat mini‑bundle, and finish your buttonhole so it’s ready to pin onto a suit or jacket.
Materials Needed
Scissors & Wire Cutters
Floral Wire
(24 gauge)
Florist Tape
Dried Flowers & Foliage
Ribbon or Jute String
Pin (to fasten to jacket)
If you’re growing your own flowers, our growing tips page shares how to get strong, healthy blooms that dry beautifully.
Step 1
Choose and Prepare Your Stems
Select a small mix of dried stems that complement your colour palette.
Buttonholes work best with a combination of:
1 focal stem (strawflower, rosebud, helichrysum, gomphrena)
2–3 filler stems (statice, limonium, achillea, lavender)
1–2 textural accents (bunny tails, grasses, phalaris, nigella pods)
Trim all stems to around 6–10 cm so they sit neatly together without bulk. Remove any loose petals or broken pieces so the final buttonhole looks clean and intentional.
Step 2
Build The Mini Bundle
Building your buttonhole
- Hold your stems together in your hand and arrange them so the flower heads sit at slightly different heights. This gives the buttonhole shape and movement rather than a flat, blocked look.
Keep the bundle small — roughly the width of two fingers — so it sits neatly on a lapel.
Step 3
Wire and Tape the Buttonhole
Wrap and Secure The Stems
- Once you’re happy with the arrangement, wrap the stems 2–3 times with thin florist wire (24–26 gauge). Keep the wire snug but not crushing.
- Wrap the entire stem section with florist tape. Stretch the tape slightly as you wrap — the tension activates the adhesive and gives a smooth, professional finish. Continue wrapping until all wire is covered and the stem section feels neat and secure.
Step 4
Finishing Touches
Finish With Ribbon or Twine
- Trim the stem ends so they’re even and tidy. If you’d like to add ribbon, choose a colour that complements your flowers — silk, velvet, or cotton all work beautifully. Tie a small bow or wrap a short length around the stem and secure with glue for a clean finish.
- Your buttonhole is now ready to pin. Use a strong pearl‑headed pin and attach it from behind the lapel, catching the stem securely so it sits upright and doesn’t twist during the day.
Troubleshooting
Crafting with dried flowers can be delicate, so here are quick fixes for the most common issues people run into while making a buttonhole.
The bundle looks too big…
Remove one filler stem and rebuild.
Why are my stems slipping?
Wrap wire slightly tighter before taping.
The tape isn’t sticking?
Stretch the tape more as you wrap – tension activates the adhesive.
My buttonhole keeps leaning forward
Pin it higher on the lapel and angle the stem slightly inward.
FAQs
Can I make dried flower buttonholes in advance?
Yes — dried flowers last for years. Make them weeks ahead and store them safely.
Do dried buttonholes shed?
Some delicate stems may shed slightly. Choose sturdy varieties for weddings.
Can I match the buttonhole to a bouquet?
Absolutely — use the same focal flowers and colour palette for a cohesive look.
Have a question that’s not answered here? Check out our full FAQ page.
Care Instructions
Store your finished buttonhole somewhere dry and out of direct sunlight and keep it flat so the stems don’t bend. Transport it in a small box lined with tissue paper. Dried flowers are long‑lasting, so you can make buttonholes days or even weeks in advance. For long-lasting results, follow our simple dried flower care guide to keep your stems looking their best.
Enjoy Your Dried Flower Buttonhole!
Enjoy your dried flower buttonhole, a long-lasting, elegant finishing touch you can easily make yourself for weddings, proms and special occasions.
Want to see more DIY dried flower projects? View our tutorials page.