A simple technique for creating wearable flowers for pets.

Floral design by Andrea Ancel, AIFD, CFD; FTD director of design

Photos and videos by James Merri, FTD director of production

Model: Romeo

Presented by FTD

Wearable flower designs for pets are not only adorable and fun but oh so fashionable and trendy—especially for canine and feline members of a wedding party. Here, FTD Director of Design, Andrea Ancel, AIFD, CFD, demonstrates one technique for creating an easy-to-fit flower collar that will be comfortable for any pet to wear.

For this monobotanical design, Ancel chose Phalaenopsis (moth) orchids, which are listed by the ASPCA as being nontoxic to both dogs and cats. Be sure to consult the ASPCA’s extensive lists of “Toxic and Nontoxic Plants” for dogs, cats and horses—at aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control—before selecting botanical materials for flower designs that will be worn by Fido or Fluffy.

STEP BY STEP

Step 1

Measure the circumference of the animal’s neck, to determine the length needed for the leather band.

Step 2

Punch one grommet into each end of the leather band, ¼-inch in from each end. 

Thread a piece of No. 3-width double-face satin ribbon through each of the two grommets, and secure each piece with a knot.

Step 3

Glue a few air plants to one side of the leather band with liquid floral adhesive, to make the base for the design.

Step 4

Apply a spot of liquid floral adhesive to the backside of the three sepals of several individual orchid blooms.

Allow the adhesive to become tacky, and then adhere each bloom to the leather band.

Step 5

Cut a few orchid stems into 2-inch pieces, and apply a spot of liquid floral adhesive to each of the stems.

Allow the adhesive to become tacky, and then tuck the stems into the air plants, among the other blooms, for stabilization and depth.

Step 6

When tying the collar around the animal’s neck, make sure the air plants are facing away from the animal’s eyes, to avoid injury.

FTD Dog Collar thumbnail
Watch Video Tutorial

MATERIALS

BOTANICALS

Phalaenopsis amabilis (moth orchid)

Tillandsia brachycaulos (air plant)

HARD GOODS

OASIS® Floral Adhesive

Double-face satin ribbon (No. 3 width—5/8” / 15 mm)

Leather band

Metal grommets (3/8” / 10 mm)

Hand-press grommet eyelet hole-punch tool