Ronghua Tutorial: How to make Red Spider Lilies

Striking and unforgettable, red spider lilies bloom at the edge of change. Their long, sweeping petals feel dramatic yet delicate, carrying stories of farewell, memory, and quiet strength.

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)

Important Note Before You Start

Our material kit currently has an old version and a new version.

If your kit contains silk threads in multiple thicknesses (old version), you can simply follow the video tutorial when arranging the threads.

If your kit contains only one thickness of silk thread (new version), then you’ll need to refer to the Ronghua Manual for the correct thread arrangement.

How to tell the difference between the two silk thread types:

One type feels slightly rougher to the touch. Each individual strand is finer, and several strands may stick together easily.

The other type feels smooth. Each individual strand is thicker, and strands do not stick together.

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. This project uses 2 colours of silk to create 1 silk row.  

If you have received the updated Ronghua kit, refer to the colour diagram below for thread combination details. Otherwise, just follow the instructions in our video tutorial.

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 1 silk row in total. 

Step 4. Brush the Silk Rows

Fix one silk row onto your stand using big metal clips - if you don't have the wooden ronghua stand, that's totally fine! You can refer to our video about alternative solutions to the stand.

Hold the ends of the threads with one hand and brush gently but firmly from top to bottom. Don’t lift the brush midway. A light mist of water will prevent static. You can apply some pressure — silk threads are stronger than they look! Make sure to brush both the front and back sides until the row looks smooth and fluffy. 

Everyone uses a different brush and hand speed, so the time it takes to complete this step is also different. Taking my situation as a reference, it took me about 10 minutes to brush this silk row. When you feel the hair is soft and fluffy, you can stop and check. When there is no complete linear distinction between the threads, it's ready:) 

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.

Use a fine comb or dense brush to brush them again. Light shedding during brushing is normal. If there’s a lot of shedding, the copper wire wasn’t rubbed tightly.

 

Step 8. Flatten the Strips

Cut the fluffed up strips in half. Heat your flat iron and press the strip gently from bottom to top. Move slowly and evenly. Trim away any loose silk fibers for a clean look.

Then we need to strengthen 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 silk strips, let them absorb the solution, then scrape off the excess. Stick them up to dry.

Step 9. Make the Petals

Trim the petals into a teardrop shape like this.

Dip the petals into the setting liquid again, then bend the petals backwards with tweezers. Gently touch the edges to make natural waves. Stick them up to dry again.

Step 10. Make the Flower Center

Take out the wires and we can start making the flower center. Cut them in half but use a stronger and less delicate scissors, as the tough wires will dull the scissors.

Add jewelry glue to the top of the wires. Take out the tips of flower center and glue them on. Use red thread to wrap on the stem up completely, with at least 12cm in length.

One small flower needs 7 flower centers.

Step 11. Make the Flowers

One small flower needs 7 flower centers and 6 petals. Secure them one by one by wrapping silk thread onto them. After everything is secured, wrap downward for 3-4cm and tie a knot to finish.

Make 10 of those small flowers, then divide them into 2 groups: 1 with 4 small flowers, and 1 with 6 small flowers. We will make 2 big flowers with the two groups.

Trim the base of the flowers at an angle, then assemble the small flowers together. Use pliers to bend the flowers outward. After wrapping the six small flowers with wire, tie a knot to secure them. Adjust the shape of the petals to make the flower fuller. Use your hands to create a curve in the flower center.

Next, start wrapping the bottom of the flower with green floral tape. Add 2 to 3 thicker copper wires to extend the flower stem, with the copper wire being about 40 cm long. Continue wrapping the floral tape all the way to the bottom to complete the flower.

Step 12. Final Adjustments

Finally, adjust the overall shape, and the spider lily is finished.