How to Make a Tussie Mussie

Step 1. A wide variety of fragrant herbs and flowers should be hardened off in preparation for tussie—mussie making. Strip the lower leaves from the stems of roses, flowers and herbs cut about 6 inches in length.

Step 2. Start with an important blossom for the center of the tussie— mussie: a rosebud is traditional, but a tight bunch of lavender or a circular flower such as a daisy or calendula also work well.

Step 3. Surround the central flower with 5 or 6 sprigs of a small, contrasting flower or herb, adjusting the spacing to make the first ring around the central flower. To have good control of the tussie—mussie, it's easiest to bind the stems as you add flowers and herbs. Use florist tape, thin wire, pipe cleaners, or yarn. As you bind in, check to see that the tips of the flowers are approximately even, and your tussie— mussie remains symmetrical in profile. Add two or three more concentric rings of fragrant herbs and small, dainty flowers, shifting and adjusting them so they will be evenly spaces around the circle.

Step 4. Spikey flowers such as lavender or veronica or sprigs of rosemary, interspersed alternately between the rounder, smaller flowers give a nice effect. Generally, 5, 6, or 7 sprigs is the right number to include in a 5—inch tussie—mussie. Remember that tussie—mussies differ from bouquets in that they use lots of greenery and fragrant herbs.

Step 5. When the tussie—mussie is about 4 inches across, add a final Lamb's ears or artemisia or ivy to frame the entire bouquet. Finish binding down the entire length of the stems, and tie in the ends of yarn. Push the ends of wire or pipe cleaners into the stems so they won't pinch your hands.

Step 6. With clippers or utility shears, trim the stems to 3 or 4 inches to make a comfortable handle.

Step 7 Optional: if the tussie—mussie is to be carried for a long time, make a reservoir to keep it fresh: Press soaked long— fibered sphagnum moss around the stems, or lap 3 or 4 layers of tissue folded to the length of the stems.

Step 8. To enhance the tussie—mussie, add a paper or lace doily. With a paper doily, make a hole for the stems by clipping an "x" an inch or an inch and a half long in the center. I t 's nice to use two sizes of doilies, putting the smaller one on top. Take care to keep the paper from getting wet, as it may easily tear when weakened. For a real lace collar, sew a running stitch using a large— eyed needle and elastic thread along the inner edge of a half a yard of gathered lace, 2 1/2 inches wide. Tie the ends of the elastic thread to form a circle, making a "donut" of lace to slip over the stems of the tussie—mussie. Antique lace may be used, or lace to match a gown. The beauty of lace is that if it gets wet, it may droop a little, adding to the soft charm of the tussie—mussie. Real lace may be washed and reused. Another alternative is to use a junior bridesmaid's bouquet holder from the florist supply for the lace collar.

Step 9. Insert the bound stems of the tussle—mussie into the opening in the doily; slip it up so it rests against the undersides of the foliage ruff. Optional: To keep a paper doily from slipping, anchor it in place with straight pins or small florist’s pins.

Step 10. Cover the stems by wrapping them with stretchy green or white florist's tape, stretching and overlapping it as you wind it diagonally down the stems to make a smooth, easy— to—grip handle. Catch the doily in the first loop of the tape. Completely cover moss, tissue, plastic wrap, and/or aluminum foil.

Step 11. Tie a ribbon bow on the tussle—mussie using narrow ribbon, or two or three ribbons of different colors, leaving long streamers for an elegant final touch.

Step 12. Lover's knots are often tied at the ends of the ribbon streamers. Before pulling the knot tight, insert a tiny sprig of rosemary or a tiny flower. These sprigs should be about an inch long, with a few center leaves removed to make a knot that won't slip.

Dunk the stems and the absorbent moss or tissue into fresh water. Cover the stems with plastic wrap or aluminum foil in order to retain the moisture.

A note is given with the finished tussie—mussie to explain the meanings of the herbs and flowers for a personalized gift for a special occasion.

By Geraldine Adamich Laufer, HSA 1991 Annual Meeting