More new terms continue to be added to “The AIFD Guide to Floral Design.”
Chenille Stem: A multifunctional mechanic, generally used as a corsage stem or to bind materials together. The stem is generally 12 inches in length and consists of slender wires spun together with short, soft fibers, similar in appearance to a pipe cleaner; available in many colors.
Use #1: The tiny fibers of a chenille stem easily remove pollen from petals; make a loop with the chenille stem and gently brush it away.
Use #2: Loosely braid or twist chenille stems together to create a flexible yet sturdy backer or base for a variety of uses. Examples are headbands, casket lids, wristlets and lapel boutonnieres. Use an Oasis uGlu strip to easily apply. Lay the sticky side up, apply the braided chenille stem to the strip, then quickly tap on leaves, ribbon or other basing materials. Cold glue more dimensional blooms onto the chenille stem and base materials, leaving a bit of negative space for the final placement by the end consumer.
Use #3: Use as a binding mechanic for project in-progress. For example, a hand-tied bouquet can be quickly and temporarily secured with a twist of a chenille stem if a designer needs to step away or needs additional interior binding for a large quantity of fresh stems.
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