by Norma-Anne Chattin

Created on: March 03, 2011

The process of creating paper flowers is simple; the results are complex and fascinating. The basic steps of cut, roll, pinch, glue and curl will produce flowers in a wide spectrum of styles and sizes. 

-Tools and Supplies -

Essential tools for paper flowers include scissors, liquid glue that dries clear, waxed paper or other non-stick surface, and a variety of papers. The weight and texture of your paper be the greatest impact on your flower style. Old dictionary paper, mulberry paper and other lightweight aged papers lend themselves to the shabby chic style while bright prints, smooth texture, and heavier weight papers lend themselves to a clean and geometrical style.

 -Rose Blossoms-

Begin with a circle of paper. Your circle can be torn from paper, cut freehand, or die cut. Cut or tear your circle into a continuous spiral. Beginners benefit from starting with a circle about 5” in diameter and drawing a spiral from the center to the outside edges. On the 5” circle leave about .5” between the lines. The edges of the spiral will create more attractive blooms if you gently freehand a scallop edge.

 Roll the spiral cut paper strip from the outside edge all the way to the interior. The very center of the spiral is a small circle that will be used as a base for the rose. The rolling process will naturally create a cone as you roll. The smaller area of the cone will be the base.

 Place the rolled spiral on a flat surface and allow it to unwind naturally. Use a toothpick or other pointed tip to gently assist the very center in opening slightly. Pick up the bloom and turn it over to squeeze white glue into the base of flower. Turn over to work the petals by curling edges outward from the center and manipulating sides to form the rose. Periodically pinch the bottom a bit to maintain desired size.

 Once you have a shape that pleases you, set the blossom aside on wax paper for the glue to set.

-The Chrysanthemum-

Multiple circles are layered and manipulated to form the chrysanthemum style paper flower. Begin with 5 paper circles in two to three sizes. For your first project try three 4” circles with two 3” circles of lightweight print paper or tissue paper. Torn, die cut, or freehand scalloped edges on the circles add to the dimension of your design.

 Crumple each circle and stack them from largest to smallest. Fold the layers into halves and then quarters to locate the center of the stacked paper. Open the

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