A 1977 guide to creating 40 hand-fashioned flowers from fabric and paper by Jean Wilkinson — for anyone who loves vintage craft instruction, 1970s DIY, or wants to understand how people made their own decorative flowers before mass production took over.
Clear directions, full-color photographs of completed arrangements, and the sensibility of the 1970s when a homemade flower arrangement was both a practical project and a genuine craft.
Details
-
Item: Craft instruction book
-
Title: Flower Fabrications: Forty Hand Fashioned Flowers to Create Including Silk Tulips, Organdy Roses, Gingham Cornflowers and Crepe Paper Daisies
-
Authors: Jean Wilkinson with Katharyn Duff
-
Publisher: Butterick Publishing
-
Year: 1977
-
Edition/Printing: First edition
-
Format: Hardcover with dust jacket
-
Dust Jacket: Present; cream with green border and color photo; minor staining visible on jacket
-
Pages: 206 pages
-
Special Features: 16 full-color plates photographed by Ralph Leone and Bob Stoller; numerous black and white illustrations by Jan Walker; detailed instructions for 40 different flower types; patterns ready for tracing; suggestions for arranging and displaying
-
Measurements: 10" H × 8" W × 1" D
-
ISBN: 0884210618
Condition Grade: Good
Positives
- All 206 pages present and intact; binding solid and tight
- Text fully legible throughout; no heavy writing or highlighting visible
- Color photographs vibrant and clear; instruction pages easy to follow
- Patterns and diagrams sharp and usable for tracing or reference
Issues / Wear
- Dust jacket shows minor staining consistent with age and storage
- Pages have aged to cream/beige color — expected for a 1977 book
- DJ edges show wear and fading from decades of display
See all photos for detail — sold as pictured.
Condition Grade Key
-
Near Fine: Almost perfect. Very minor signs of age only.
-
Very Good: Shows light use. Sound and attractive with minor flaws.
-
Good: Complete and intact. Noticeable wear consistent with age and use.
-
Fair: Shows significant wear. Readable or usable but clearly used.
Collector's Notes
Flower Fabrications arrived in 1977 when the craft book category was booming — when people wanted instructions to make beautiful things by hand rather than buying them ready-made.
This book taught people to turn fabric scraps, paper, and basic materials into sophisticated flower arrangements that look like they came from a florist.
A practical book that still teaches.
Shipping + Trust (Reading Vintage standards)
- Photo-verified condition (no surprises)
- Packed with our protective packaging standard
- Ships in 1 business day
- Free Shipping on $35+ (U.S. only)
Disclaimer
All items are vintage and may show signs of age, wear, or use consistent with their history. Photos show the exact condition of each piece—please review them carefully, as they are part of the description.
Care and Handling:
Handle with clean, dry hands. Store upright, out of direct sunlight, at about 68°F and 40–50% relative humidity. Avoid damp areas and extreme temperature swings.
