We are beyond thrilled to be on the lovely Merci blog today! You can check out the whole post, shot by the talented Lauren Gabrielle, on Merci here, and we wanted to share with you the paper flower how-to. The overblown, large paper flowers added SO much interest to our table, and are not too difficult to make since we made a template for you and have given you step by step directions below!
Supplies needed: templates, 24" x 36" thick paper, pipe cleaners, scissors, pencil, hole punch, double sided tape.
The template for the largest flower, labeled "one," requires two pieces of 8 1/2" x 11" paper, so first step is to print out all of the templates, second is to tape the "one" template together. Now trace the templates on your 24" x 36" piece of paper. We have also included a template to show you how to maximize your piece of paper.
Cut out each shape, and then cute a 1" to 1 1/2" slit in the bottom of each petal. You are cutting this slit so that you can "boat" the flowers by folding them and giving them a more structured shape.
Now that you have cut the slit, attach a piece of double stick tape to one or both sides of the slit, and bring one side over the other to create tension in the paper ("boating" the flowers). Next punch holes about 1" up from the bottom of each petal. For the larger petals, punch a hole about 2" in from the sides. For the small petals, you will be punching closer to the edge.
Start by putting together the innermost smallest petals. You will make two bunches of three petals each for the smallest petals. Use the pipe cleaner to attach the petals by looping through two pieces of pipe cleaner and then twisting them on the back. Make one bunch tighter than the other with no space between the petals to serve as your innermost bunch.
Then take the smaller, tighter bunch and put it through the one with a little more spacing to create one joint flower. Twist the pipe cleaner in the back to secure.
Making the middle and largest petals is very similar. Use two pieces of pipe cleaner to secure the petals as shown above, leaving a center hole so that you can attach each new layer. For the largest flower petals, you may need to twist two pieces of pipe cleaner together to make a longer piece.
Put the small bunch you already put together inside of the medium bunch, attach the pipe cleaners by twisting. Do the same now with the medium bunch and put them throw the large bunch, twist pipe cleaners as needed. We kept our pipe cleaners long so that we could use them to manipulate and stand the flowers, but feel free to cut them after twisting if they are getting in the way.
And here are the finished flowers! The instructions are the same for all shapes, and it looks best to mix up your shapes, colors and sizes slightly to get an effect like this:
Here are the templates for your downloading pleasure:
Download RPSPointedFlowerTemplate Download RPSRoundedFlowerTemplate Download RPSScallopFlowerTemplate
Credits: Top and bottom photo by Lauren Gabrielle, How-to photos by Alexandra Baackes
This is beautiful! Thanks for sharing the idea!
Posted by: Flowers Melbourne | Thursday, April 19, 2012 at 07:31 PM
STUNNING! I absolutely love this idea! The flowers are gorgeous and the colors are so modern and sophisticated. I just featured your tutorial at DIY Weddings at Craft Gossip. Thanks for sharing your wonderful ideas and photos!
Posted by: Kimberly Jones | Thursday, October 06, 2011 at 05:14 PM
Paper flower !!! super idea ....i like very much :)
Posted by: Alyx | Monday, April 04, 2011 at 03:08 AM
I am in love with these flowers!
I've referenced this post in my blog at http://weddingplannertobe.wordpress.com/
Thanks for the inspiration!
AG
Posted by: AG | Wednesday, March 02, 2011 at 08:01 AM
Simply divine!
Posted by: Danee Kaplan | Friday, February 11, 2011 at 03:09 PM
Oh wow, those are GORGEOUS! I just clicked over from Divine Party Concepts. I would love to link to these if you didn't mind.
Posted by: Rachel | Sunday, January 23, 2011 at 12:02 AM
Thannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnks a lot, beautiful!!!
Posted by: Targui | Tuesday, January 18, 2011 at 12:56 PM
I love these, they're great!! Hope it's ok I've posted a couple of the pics and a link back to the post on my blog.
Posted by: Andri | Wednesday, November 17, 2010 at 08:02 AM
Fabulous idea and i love this way of creative new project.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVHw5vTf4qQ The very first picture is looking awesome. Very simple method and i never knew this before. Very Fantastic job!!!!
Posted by: Flower tutorial | Saturday, November 06, 2010 at 01:47 AM
THIS IS AMAZING!!!! I'm so going to try this one!!!!
Posted by: Brancoprata | Friday, November 05, 2010 at 12:59 PM