How to Make Realistic Paper Flowers
Paper flowers are handcrafted for many uses. In the 19th century, women would create paper flowers for bouquets and wreaths on Memorial Day. They used these flowers to decorate graves since other artificial flowers were not available then. Today, paper flowers are decorative accents for parties, floats and are also used in wedding bouquets or floral arrangements for the home. With many colors of crepe paper available, there are a large variety of realistic flowers you can create.
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Things You'll Need
- Green crepe paper
- Pink crepe paper
- 18-gauge floral wire stems
- 22-gauge floral wire stems
- Floral tape
- Scissors
- Pinking shears
- Wire cutters
- All purpose craft glue
- Pencil
- Blank white paper
Instructions
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Making Leaves
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1
Cut three large and six small leaves through two layers of green crepe paper using pinking shears. Do not separate the layers.
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2
Cut nine pieces of 22-gauge wire, each measuring 6 inches, with wire cutters.
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3
Lift up the top layer of each leaf and apply glue to the bottom half center then lay a wire across line of glue. Use a small amount of glue to secure the edges of the leaves.
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4
Wrap a 2-inch piece of floral tape around each leaf wire, starting at the edge of the leaf where the wire begins and stretching tape slightly so it sticks. Repeat this with all the leaves.
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5
Wrap the wire of a small leaf around a large leaf where the floral tape ends. Repeat with another small leaf on the opposite side. Cover the wires with a 10-inch piece of floral tape and repeat with the remaining leaves.
Making the Blooms
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6
Draw a small, medium and large petal on paper. Cut these out to use as patterns.
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7
Cut a 2-by-3-inch rectangular piece of green crepe paper for the flower's sepal. Cut across the end of longer side with pinking shears, creating the tips of the sepal that will sit at the base of the flower.
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8
Cut out several petals of each size from the pink crepe paper. Gently stretch the outer top edge of each petal making them curl slightly.
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9
Apply a small line of glue to the bottom portion of a small petal and press it against an 18-gauge wire. Wrap and twist the petal securing it to the wire.
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10
Continue attaching small, then medium, and finally large petals in a staggered pattern. Move up the wire gradually until the bloom is formed.
Assembling the Flower
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11
Wrap a 6-inch piece of 22-gauge wire around the base of the bloom to secure all the petals. Apply glue to the piece of green crepe paper and wrap it around the bloom's base for the sepal with the patterned end at the top.
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12
Begin wrapping floral tape at the base of the bloom and continue down 6 inches. Take one leaf cluster and put against its wire against the flower's stem then wrap floral tape around it securely.
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13
Go down 2 inches and secure the second leaf cluster opposite of the first leaves. Wrap floral tape around it for 2 inches.
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14
Place the third leaf cluster 2 inches below the second and off-center of the others. Secure with floral tape to the bottom of the floral stem.
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15
Shape the petals to resemble a real rose bloom.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Create different flowers by copying the petal shapes of different real flowers.
To make your blooms even more realistic, attach artificial stamens to the center of flowers.
Tissue paper can be used in place of crepe.
Use water color paint, markers or chalk to create multi-colored petals.
