How to Make Paper Flower Corsage

Easy to make and fun to wear corsages.

Tissue paper flowers are easy to make and a suitable project for nearly any age group. Turn one or more into a corsage with just a few additional steps. Vary colors, size and texture to create a garden of beautiful pins to dress up any outfit.

Things You'll Need

• Tissue paper in desired color
• Floral wire
• Floral tape
• Heavy green paper
• Lace or tulle circles
• Ribbon for trim, if desired
• Corsage pin or small safety pin
• Scissors

Instructions

Paper flower corsages

1. 

   Cut colored tissue into rectangles. The width should be about twice the desired size of the finished flower. Do not be concerned if there are minor variations in the rectangles. Stack six to eight rectangles. Use more rectangles for fuller flowers. Begin at a short side and accordion pleat the rectangle in small pleats. Continue down the entire length of the rectangle.

2. Secure the pleated stack of tissue with floral wire four times the desired stem length. Bend the wire in half and secure the tissue at the center of the bend. Twist tightly. Double the tail of the wires back toward the tissue and gently twist the length.

3. 

   Wrap floral tape around the wire, beginning at the tissue end. Return to the tissue end (resulting in a double layer of tape) to give the "stem" some body, adding leaves cut from heavy green paper, if desired.

4. Beginning at the outer layer, carefully separate the layers to open your flower. Accidental tears do not present a problem. Flower leaves are seldom perfect or exactly symmetrical. Arrange the "petals" as desired. Trim any unsightly protrusions. Repeat the process for a multiple flower corsage.

5. Position the flowers as desired for the final corsage. Add ribbon if desired. Cut a layer of lace or tulle slightly bigger than the flowers. Gather the circle across the diameter with floral wire to form a ruffle. Secure the ruffle to the stem or stems of the corsage with the floral wire. Add a corsage pin or small safety pin.

Tips & Warnings

• Shape the finished flower with pinking shears rather than scissors for a more ruffled look. Alternate color layers to create multicolored flowers. Use more layers for fuller flowers, such as carnations; use fewer layers for a more open flower like a poppy. Fringe the petals for a shaggier, mum-like flower. Try facial tissue for a softer texture.

• Supervise children closely as they use scissors and floral wire. Consider pipe cleaners as a colorful substitute for wire.

References

• Easy Paper Flowers