Ronghua Tutorial: How to Make Bougainvillea Flowers

The bougainvillea is known for its vibrant, paper-thin bracts and delicate climbing nature. In this tutorial, the plant's unique texture is captured by combining flattened green silk for leaves with meticulously tapered purple and pink strips for the colorful petals.

Preparation: What You’ll Need

If you’ve purchased our Ronghua Toolkit, you already have everything required!
If not, prepare the following tools:

1. Bristle brush (Medium to soft hardness)
2. Flat iron (the one you use to straighten your hair)
3. Tweezers
4. At least 2 pairs of Scissors
5. wooden sticks / pencils / chopsticks
6. Hair spray or diluted white glue (1:1.15–1:1.2 ratio)
7. Big clips (around 15cm)
8. Twisting boards and wooden blocks (for even tension)
9. Anti-slip powder (optional but helpful)

Full Tutorial Video

Step 1. Align and Arrange the Silk Threads

Start by untying your silk threads. Locate the knot at one end of each bundle and cut it open carefully. Refer to the diagram below for color combination details. Note that for the thread used in the third row, you need to cut in half, since it is used for leaves and we only need 7 leaves.

Step 2. Group and Prepare the Threads

Each silk bundle consists of tiny strand-like structures — these are your individual strands. Align all strands neatly and tie them around a thin stick, keeping the ends even. Avoid uneven lengths — this ensures consistent texture later on.

Step 3. Make Silk Rows

Repeat the above process to create your silk rows. Remember to refer back to the data provided in the diagram for the following rows, as each will differ slightly. Below is an example of the finished silk rows we made.

Step 4. Brush the Silk

Use your bristle brush to comb the silk rows. Continue brushing for about 10 minutes until the silk is smooth, fluffy, and free of tangles. If the silk becomes static, use a spray bottle to lightly mist the air (not the silk directly) with water.

This is what brushed silk is supposed to look like:

Step 5. Attach Copper Wires

When you feel that the silk is brushed enough, secure its tail with another big clip to your table or anything that can help stretch it taut. Take out one copper wire from the folded end of the row and straighten it. Twist the folded part into a spiral of about 3 cm. Clamp the silk threads between two copper wires and twist the opposite side tightly. Pull both wires taut and continue twisting until they merge into one. Remember, the twisting direction for the left and right end are opposite.

The spacing should be as shown in step 1.

If you have anti-slip powder, it will be much easier to dip your fingers in it and twist it.

We highly recommend you watch the video tutorial for this step:)

Once done, remove the silk row from the stand and lay it flat.

Step 6. Cut the Silk Strips

Trim the row’s end neatly, then cut between each pair of copper wires to create even silk strips. When cutting, the scissors must be placed in the middle of two copper wires, otherwise the width of the silk strips will be inconsistent.

If threads stick to your scissors, clean them — it’s usually caused by static or residue. Cut quickly and cleanly for smooth edges. Don't touch the wire or it may get displaced.

Step 7. Center and Twist the Strips

Align the copper wire to the middle of each strip using a flat surface or wooden block.

Once centered, twist both hands in opposite directions to tighten.

Next, place the copper part between the twisting boards and continue twisting in the same direction. Stop when the wire feels firm — twisting too far may cause it to break. How do you know if it is tightened enough? If tightened properly, the copper wire should only faintly show. If the copper wire is very visible, it’s not tight enough.

Step 8. Flatten and Shape the Leaves

First, cut two of the silk strips in half. The remaining strips do not need to be halved—simply cut off the copper wire on the lighter-colored end. Heat the flat iron and press the green silk strips flat, always working from back to front.

Then we need to soak the flattened strips.

Prepare your setting solution:

1. Use either hair spray, or
2. Diluted white glue with water or alcohol (1:1.15 or 1:1.2 ratio)

Soak the flattened strips in hair-gel solution, ensuring the liquid fully penetrates the fibers. Wipe off the excess gel.

Next, shape the silk strips. Gently curve the leaves, tuck the sides inward, and create soft wave patterns along the edges. Insert the leaves upright to dry. The remaining leaves are shaped in the same way.

Step 9. Taper the Petal Strips

Now begin tapering the purple silk strips. Point tapering requires good technique and proper tools, so it’s best to use a trimming base or cup along with professional tapering scissors. Rest both the scissors and silk strip on the notch of the trimming base, and rotate the strip while tapering. Keep the scissors close to the silk and maintain both the strip and copper wire as straight as possible.

If the wire bends, straighten it using a wooden board. Taper the strip so it is wide in the middle and narrow at both ends. You will need 42 strips like this. Taper the light pink strips into the same shape—you will need 18. This step takes time, so take breaks if needed.

Step 10. Assemble the Petals

Once tapering is complete, begin assembling the petals. Each petal requires seven silk strips. First secure one strip together with the wrapping silk thread, then attach the remaining strips one by one. The first three strips should be at about the same height, while the rest should sit slightly lower.

Apply white glue to the center of each strip, pull them tight, and secure the other end with silk thread. You will need six petals made this way.

Next, pair two small strips together, align the ends neatly, secure them lightly, apply glue at the center, and secure the glued end. You will need nine of these smaller petals.

Step 11. Make the Flower Centers

Now make the flower centers. Take the lightest silk thread, cut it open, and separate four strands. Fold and cut repeatedly until the fibers are fine. Secure them with a small piece of copper wire and twist tightly.

Brush the silk open until it becomes fluffy, trim evenly, and shape it into a circular form. 

Make two centers like this. Spray them with hairspray, shape them into a shallow bowl, and create soft wave patterns along the edges.

Step 12. Make the Stamens

Prepare six copper wires about 5 cm long. Fold a silk thread in half and begin wrapping at the center of each wire. Wrap forward a few turns, then back, fold the wire in half, and continue wrapping downward for about 2 cm before tying off.

Once the flower centers are dry, trim along their natural curve and cut small notches along the edges. Attach three purple copper wires to each center, then add the petals. Trim and clean the wire ends. Make two bougainvillea flowers in total.

Step 13. Assemble the Flowers

Take five stamens and secure them with silk thread, then attach the petals with the glued side facing upward. Each flower requires three petals. Shape the curves, trim the copper wires, and make three small flowers in total.

Step 14. Assemble the Piece 

Next, shape and assemble the leaves. Attach each leaf to a 5 cm steel wire, secure it with silk thread, and add another leaf after a short distance. Lock the thread between the wires to secure it. Prepare a 15 cm copper wire, thread on a transparent bead, wrap with silk thread, and insert an additional steel wire. Burn off loose fibers with a lighter. Prepare four beads, three small flowers, two large flowers, and three leaf sets for final assembly.

Begin final assembly by attaching the small leaves and flowers using four strands of silk thread. Insert two 10 cm steel wires for support and wrap tightly to secure them. Arrange the flowers with small gaps between them, adding beads and leaves as you go. Position elements at varied heights and directions for a natural look.

Once everything is in place, wrap downward, fold the copper wire back, trim excess wire, and cover all exposed metal with silk thread. Use annealed copper wire to finish the wrapping and secure the thread.

You can watch our video tutorial for this step:)

 

Step 15. Attach the Piece to the Accessory

Finally, attach the base—either a brooch or a hair clip. Place the flower onto the base and wrap firmly with silk thread. The first round secures the piece; the second round fills any gaps. Finish using the same hidden-thread method as before, trim excess thread, and make final adjustments. A light layer of hairspray on the wrapped areas will help prevent slipping and keep the piece firm. 

Your Bougainvillea Flowers are finished!