How to Make a Paper Rose
Paper roses have come a long way from crepe paper and pipe cleaners. Now you can make stunning works of art using a few craft supplies and a few hours of your time. Setting up an assembly line process for this craft makes it easier to create a bouquet of roses that will last much longer than the real thing. But they'll be just as beautiful.
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Things You'll Need
- Rose template
- Pencil
- 8 cone coffee filters
- Scissors
- 16-gauge floral wire
- Corsage pins (optional)
- Floral tape
- Watercolor paint
- Small paint brush
- Bamboo skewer (optional)
- Quick drying glue
Instructions
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1
Print the petal and leaf template and trace the petals onto your eight disposable cone coffee filters. If you're making more than one rose, continue cutting petals and leaves until you have enough for the number of roses you want. Notice each petal is numbered on the template. This is important because you'll use the petals in number order when making each rose.
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2
Cut your floral wire into 12- to 18-inch long pieces. You'll need one piece of wire per rose. If you want a pearl center, you can use a pearl-tipped corsage pin for the center and then wrap your floral wire, instead of the floral tape, around the small flower bud for Steps 3 to 7.
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3
Take the first petal type and poke your wire through the middle of the petals. Petal numbers 1 through 3 are each two petals, but when opened make four petals. Insert the wire through the crease area. Wrap the petal around the wire using floral tape to secure the filter petal to the wire. Pull on the tape slightly to make the tape stickier.
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4
Pick up petal number 2. Wrap around the flower bud you just created by poking the wire through one set of petals. Then gently split the crease area open and wrap the two petals around the flower bud again.
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5
Continue the poking and wrapping method with the third petal type and secure the petals with floral tape.
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6
Open the fourth petal type up so you have one long line of petals. Wrap these around the bud you're creating. Again, secure with floral tape but use just one turn of tape so your flower's base doesn't get too fat.
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7
Wrap the single petals around the flower going in number order from 5 to 8, overlapping each petal slightly. This is what makes your rose appear more full.
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8
Use your fingers to gently pull the petals apart and create a full bloom. Hold the flower at the base to keep the petals secure. Use your fingers to fold the petals slightly to create a more natural shape to the petals.
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9
Mix your watercolors with a bit of water and start painting from the inside of the flower to the outside. Start painting the lighter, base color first, and then paint the tips with a slightly darker color. You can also make the inner petals of the rose darker.
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10
Finish the rose by painting undiluted watercolor along the edges of the petals to make them stand out. Once dry, use your pencil, bamboo skewer or another small object to help curl the petals. Curl the petals on each side toward the pointed tips. Inner petals can be curled down slightly to add volume.
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11
Add leaves to the base of your rose and attach with quick-drying glue. Continue to wrap the wire in floral tape to make the stem. Try to keep the tape taut as you wrap so the stem is smooth. Display your roses in a vase, attach them to a wrapped present or wrap them and give a bouquet to someone.
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Tips & Warnings
Use professional watercolor paint for your roses. While more expensive, the color is more vibrant and works better for this project.
Disposable cone coffee filters that are bleached or white work best for painting.
