How to make crêpe paper flowers
Learn how to make beautiful crêpe paper flowers and paper vase with our easy step-by-step tutorial!
Published:
Crêpe paper is a lovely material to work with when making your own paper flowers. It’s stretchy and has a lot of give, so you are able to create beautiful crêpe paper flowers with delicate petals. The crinkly texture and lightweight nature of crêpe paper provide an excellent choice when creating something with lots of layers, like this beautiful peony.
For this tutorial, we’re showing you how to make easy crêpe paper flowers arranged in a beautiful origami-style vase. Designer Vicky Sheridan has given us some top tips that will ensure crafty success and perfect results for your own crêpe paper flowers:
- If you’re making the vase and crêpe paper flowers as a gift, why not personalise it with a heartfelt sentiment?
- If you are struggling to attach the base once it’s been folded, wrap the vase panel around the base piece before securing it with glue. Add a square of cardboard to the base for stability.
- Wrap floral wires with florist tape to create more realistic stems for your crêpe paper flowers.
- A cool melt glue gun is ideal for working with crêpe paper, as it has a lower temperature than a hot glue gun so it won’t burn the paper or your fingers!
- Use alcohol markers around the edge of the petals and leaves for your crêpe paper flowers to add a realistic finish.
If you like this project, how to make crepe paper flowers, why not check out some of our flower crafts – like these cute quilled flowers, or this beautiful paper flower bouquet, or how about getting your glue gun and making this realistic paper rose?
We love seeing what you make, so don’t forget to share your papercraft projects with us on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter, too!
To make crêpe paper flowers you will need:
- Crêpe paper
- Vase template
- Patterned paper
- 16-gauge floral wire
- Craft pliers
- Label (or label punch/die)
How to make crêpe paper flowers
Step 1
Cut a 50mm square of yellow crêpe paper. Fold it in half and snip it into the folded edge to make the stamen. Wrap around the end of a green-covered floral wire, securing with glue.
Step 2
Cut two 40 x 250mm lengths of crêpe paper then fold in half and in half again. Open out the paper and, at each end, trim the ends of the paper into a curved shape, as shown.
Step 3
Fold the curved ends to the middle, then twist at the outer folds. Bring the ends into the middle and fold up to form two petals. Repeat to make a second pair of petals.
Step 4
Twist each pair of petals in the centre so that pairs of petals are cup-shaped on the same side. Next, apply glue to either side of the stamen to create the tulip shape.
Step 5
Cut a piece of green crêpe paper to measure 10 x 150mm. Trim one end to form a leaf shape and attach to the wire stem. Make around 10 tulips in different colours.
Step 6
Following the origami vase template, cut a piece of patterned paper. Using the score lines on the template, score diagonally to form a diamond criss-cross pattern, as shown.
Step 7
Mountain fold all the diagonal score lines and overlap the two short ends, lining up the diamond pattern to create a tube shape. Use glue to secure the flaps.
Step 8
Cut a 70mm square of card, score all sides at 10mm and glue the tabs inside the bottom edges of the vase. Attach a sentiment panel to the front. Add a weight inside the vase for extra stability. Finally – pop in your crêpe paper flowers and admire your hard work!
More crêpe paper flowers!
If you enjoyed this tutorial, why not check out some of these other crêpe paper flowers. Do you have any tips? Let us know in the comments below!
1. Crêpe paper flower bouquet
Make a whole bouquet of crêpe paper flowers with our easy-to-follow picture tutorial for this paper flower bouquet!
2. Crêpe paper flowers: daffodils
Download our free templates and make your own crêpe paper daffodils! They are super easy to make and you’ll have daffodils popping up all over the place in no time.
3. Crêpe paper flowers: white poppies
These beautiful crêpe paper flowers are fresh and ideal for the summer months. Get the tutorial over at Happy Happy Nester.
4. Mini crêpe paper flowers
If you’re looking for a pretty way to finish off wedding or party favours – how about learning how to make these adorable mini crêpre paper flowers? Chiara over at Oh Happy Day shows you how!
5. Crêpe paper flowers: poinsettia
Why not start your Christmas decorations early with this easy crêpe paper poinsettia tutorial from Joy the Baker? We love the peach and pink colour scheme!
6. Crêpe paper flowers: peonies
Learn the basics of making crêpe paper flowers from Jen and Ellie over at Think Make Share! This is a brilliant tutorial for anyone wanting more in-depth instructions, and it’s packed full of hints and tricks, too.
7. Realistic crêpe paper flowers
Learn how to create these realistic crêpre paper flowers over at Craftberry Bush! The secret? Adding watercolour paint! But you’ll have to read the tutorial to find out how.
8. Crêpe paper flowers: plumeria
You can get a free template to make these gorgeous crêpe paper flowers over at Ta Muchly! There are two different sizes to choose from – add to your basket and download for free!
9. Giant crêpe paper flowers
If you’re after the wow-factor, check out these giant paper flowers from Offbeat Bride – how stunning would these look in a wedding reception room?
Loved these crêpe paper flowers? Check out our tutorial on how to make a paper rose – switch up the paper colour to make a rainbow of paper roses!
Authors
Holly is the staff writer at BBC Science Focus, and specialises in astronomy. Before joining the team she was a geoenvironmental consultant and holds an MSc in Geoscience (distinction) from UCL.
