Ronghua Tutorial: How to Make Daffodil Brooch

Daffodils are the heralds of spring, symbolizing rebirth and the arrival of brighter days. Their trumpet-shaped centers and soft, open petals give them a light, uplifting look that feels simple but full of life.

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. Fold them in half and cut it again, because we don't need too much silk for this project. Check the color diagram below for reference.

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 are 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.

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 with both hands in opposite directions to tighten it up.

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 the Strips

Next, fold all the silk strips used for petals in half. Align the bottoms carefully and twist the copper wire tightly. Use tweezers to gently lift the silk upward as you do this. Daffodil petals require a precise base to allow the layers to sit neatly together. Once aligned, use a heated flat iron to press the silk strips flat. Always press from back to front. For leaf strips, cut off one end of the copper wire before flattening. All silk strips need to be pressed flat.

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.

Step 9. Shape the Petals and Leaves

To shape each petal, press the base slightly outward, curl the upper part inward, and gently push both sides toward the center. The tip should form a soft point. Once shaped, place the petals upright in a brush to dry.

Small petals for the center are even simpler—shape them into a tiny spoon form. The shaping process is the same for yellow and white petals.

Next, shape the leaves. Give each leaf a gentle curve, then pinch both sides inward to define its form. Insert the leaves upright to dry, varying the curvature slightly for a more natural look.

Step 10. Trim the Edges

When everything is fully dry and hardened, begin trimming. Shape the leaves so they are wider in the middle, narrower at both ends, and slightly elongated. Round the tips gently instead of making them sharp. You’ll need five leaves in total. When trimming petals, follow their original outline and simply remove any frizzy edges.

Step 11. Prepare Stamens 

Take five stamens, fold them in half, then cut them in half again. Use the darkest silk thread for assembly. Secure the stamens with thread.

Step 12. Assemble the Daffodils

Attach the small petals around the stamens. Wrap the thread once for each petal added, keeping the small petals close together. Each flower needs five small petals.

The second layer uses white (or yellow) petals, with three petals per layer. Place the third layer of three petals in the gaps between the second layer petals. Each flower should have five small petals and six larger petals in total. Continue wrapping the thread downward for about 2 cm, then trim the copper wire diagonally and adjust the petal positions.

You’ll make two white daffodils and one yellow daffodil. Insert two 10 cm steel wires between the copper wires to extend the stem, then continue assembling with three or four strands of silk thread. Leave a bit of space between the first and second flowers so they don’t sit too close together.

Assemble the third flower and attach the leaves, staggering them vertically rather than placing them at the same height. The last two leaves should be positioned at the front so they gently frame the flowers.

When wrapping reaches the bottom of the stem, wrap back upward. Trim off any excess steel wire, fold the copper wire backward, and continue wrapping until everything is fully covered. To finish, use the "loop" method: place a folded copper wire facing upward along the stem, wrap over it, thread the silk through the wire loop, and pull the wire out to secure the end.

You can watch our video tutorial for this step:)

Step 13. Attaching the Piece to the Accessory

To attach the brooch pin, add fresh silk thread at the stem and secure the pin, pulling the thread tightly for stability. Apply a small amount of jewelry glue to bond the flower to the base, then wrap silk thread over the glued area to cover it. Finish the wrapping using the loop method and trim any remaining thread.

Finally, adjust the shape of the flowers and lightly brush hairspray over the wrapped areas to prevent fraying. Your Daffodil piece is complete!