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DIY Crepe Paper Flowers

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I recently spotted a sensational bouquet of paper flowers inside my favorite (and the ultimate) boutique for creative inspiration, Castles In The Air. A combination of Mexican paper flowers and those ever so popular tissue paper pom poms, these vibrant and cheerful flowers make perfect ornaments for any celebration. Plus, they’re incredibly easy to make!

You’ll need:

First, lay out the sheets of crepe paper and fold each one into an accordion. The folds should measure about 2-3 inches thick and should be creased along the natural, horizontal lines of the crepe paper. Don’t worry about the folds being absolutely perfect! (Click on images to enlarge)

Keep each bundle bound together by a small binder clip or large paper clip.

Working with the outer color first, gradually trim down the length of each sheet in 1-2 inch increments. This will ultimately give the flower its depth.

With scissors, trim the ends into rounded and pointy shapes. Again, don’t worry about being too precise – irregularity will make the flower look more natural! Realign the binder clips to the center of each bundle.

Cut along the folds of each bundle  . . .

. . . until the scissors hit the edge of the binder clip, leaving the center uncut. Repeat the same steps on all four sides.

Unbind each bundle. Lay the sheets on top of each other with the largest, outer color on the very bottom and the smallest, innermost color on top. Be sure to center the sheets as best as possible. Then, start folding all the layers into an accordion.

Roll the bunch inwards and tie a piece of floral wire around the middle.

Secure the wire by giving it a few twists. Fan out the folds, exposing the strips of the first layer.

Gently peel forward one strip at a time and using both hands, stretch the paper open.

I suggest peeling forward every other or every two strips to give the flower a more organic look. And remember to constantly fan out the bundle since some strips may be tucked away between other layers. Once the first layer is done, move onto the next layer and color.

Slowly and gently peel forward all the strips from each layer. Though you might have to adjust some of the petals, the flower will naturally take it’s own shape.

Continue peeling the layers. If a strip is too big or out of place, feel free to use scissors to trim or shape it.

Soon enough, your crepe paper flower will be finished. And I dare you to make just one!

Tie a few into a tree . . .

. . . or hang them from a chandelier! But most importantly, HAVE FUN!

(lace blouse by JCrew; all images by HonestlyWTF)

120 Comments

  1. Natasha Fatah    March 20, 2012

    These are so fantastic! I just had a great idea for my cousin’s bridal shower. This could be a game, give the girls these papers and the DIY instructions, and have the come up with the best paper bouquet, and the bride picks her favourite one! The winners get a prize. Donezo! We’re doing this!

    xoxo
    http://www.natashafatah.blogspot.com

  3. call me debbie    March 20, 2012

    I did such great diys yesterday! But i Did flowers from newspaper and they are pretty amazing!
    These beauties are also great! Great spring diy!!

  9. Shini    March 20, 2012

    Goodness your DIYs have that soooooothing effect, just scrolling through how you do it and all that… and that last photo just makes the day. AWEEESUUM.

  19. Margot    March 20, 2012

    Lovely. PS- where is that pink lace shirt from? xoxo

  22. kate    March 20, 2012

    Totally making these. I wonder how my bf will feel about me hanging them all over the house…

  23. Ashley Glover    March 20, 2012

    I just made one of these last weekend for a baby shower turned out great ! Love your idea i will be trying this soon!!

  26. AshiAshyAsh    March 20, 2012

    I think i’m going to try this, and use the flowers to spruce up my dorm room….

  29. Amy    March 20, 2012

    You make this seem easy, but I may be too uncoordinated to do this! I love the idea though: it means that your flowers will never die.

    xoxo,
    mon amy

  37. Rachel    March 20, 2012

    I am doing this project with my girls. Looks like fun.

    Vintagehoneybee.blogspot.din

  42. Claudia    March 20, 2012

    I loved this post so much that I shared it on my facebook page :)

    Mesmerisingly beautiful!

    C.

  44. Kate    March 20, 2012

    Oh my…this totally reminds me of a princess costume my mom made for me out of crepe paper when I was 6!! It was so pretty, but extremely flammable :) totally making these for my birthday brunch!,

    <3 Kate
    http://www.theforgetfulwife.com

  48. Liana    March 20, 2012

    Pretty! They remind me of the big paper flowers that I used to get at the gift shop in the amusement park I went to as a kid!

  49. dani    March 20, 2012

    These are so beautiful up on the light fixture!! What a great idea!!!

  56. soo    March 21, 2012

    what the what??? those are amazing! but are they any easier to make than martha stewart’s damn pom poms??? i just about lost 3 fingers while making those things… (fyi-i don’t have a crafty bone in my body…i’m more into outsourcing someone to make it for me….)

    http://mybabykins.com

  57. Erisha    March 21, 2012

    OH my word, these are incredible! I would have a springtime party just to be able to make these.

  59. Melaine Bales Hennessey    March 21, 2012

    Can I use 160 weight paper instead of 180 weight paper? Do you know?
    Thanks, these are so gorgeous!
    Melaine

  60. Erica    March 21, 2012

    @Melanie, I haven’t tried it with 160g weight paper. I believe it should be fine, especially if you’re going to hang them upside down. However, I assume the 180g weight paper will give it more stiffness and allow the petals to stay upright. Hope that helps. Good luck!

  63. megan    March 25, 2012

    This and the yarn pom-poms will be decorating my wedding. Thanks for all of your wonderful ideas!

  64. Terri    March 25, 2012

    I’m wondering how this will work with wrapping tissue paper…..

  65. Annabella Merlin    March 26, 2012

    These are just lovely! I will be using a smaller version of this (one that fits a scrapbooking page) for my next project!

    Creative Photo Albums

  66. Jessica    March 27, 2012

    Beautiful post! Could you tell me which colors you bought from Castle in the Air? I absolutely love the color combination!

    Thanks so much!

  71. Charlotte    April 25, 2012

    Beautiful! 3 of these are now attached to my living room wall above the fireplace as DIY art – they look amazing x

  74. kendell    June 28, 2012

    Thank you ever so much for sharing this tutorial. The flowers are beautiful. Kindest regards

  76. Sandhra Mary    July 7, 2012

    Fantastic……..
    those flowers r really colourful……..
    ‘m definitely gonna try dis out

  77. UniquleU LLC    July 12, 2012

    These are beautiful! I’ll certainly be using them at my next party!

  79. Kan    October 14, 2012

    These are going to add a theme to a kiddy pool party! Love the colors..

  83. brenda lamarche    February 26, 2013

    we made them as kids but small ones they look like carnations i like the big bright colors .. back they didnt have all the bright color tissue paper they have now..

  84. Rachel    March 14, 2013

    I made them and used the flower as faerie wings for my daughter !!! very easy – if you have a good pair of scissors !!! i used basic crepe paper !

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