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How to Make Paper Flowers – Easy Tutorial

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This tutorial on how to make paper flowers has been on my to-do list for a long time! I’m thrilled to finally share some tips on how you can make this DIY decor from the most unexpected items and have it actually not look homemade.

Cherry blossom paper flowers in galvanized metal bucket.

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How to Make Tissue Paper Flowers

I love a good DIY, and these paper flowers add the perfect touch of spring whimsy to your home. They remind me of the cherry blossoms that bloom each year in Washington, D.C.

If you saw my recent Spring Mantel Decor, you may have noticed my crepe myrtle branches playing “dress up.” That’s right, you can use branches from your backyard to recreate this look!

Watch This Tutorial (1 Min)

Want to know the other secret ingredient for this paper craft? Check out the supplies list below.

Yellow crepe paper, facial tissue, sidewalk chalk and branches to create faux cherry blossom paper flowers.

Supplies

  • Wooden branches
  • Facial tissue
  • Crepe paper (yellow)
  • Sidewalk chalk or pastel chalk
  • Scissors
  • Hot glue or craft glue

Did you catch that? Yes, facial tissue, as in Kleenex.

I bought the crepe paper and sidewalk chalk at Dollar Tree, so we’re talking about a very affordable craft here!

Plus, these flowers have enough detail to fool the eye but not so much detail that you’ll spend hours creating each bloom.

Step 1: Separate tissue into three separate plies

Separating plies of facial tissue to create cherry blossom petals.

As I’ve discussed in my decoupage tutorials, most napkins and tissues come in three plies. You’ll want to separate the plies to get the most delicate effect for your paper flowers.

Tip: Cut off the “seams” or edges of tissue that are glued together to prevent ripping when separating the plies. This also makes for smaller, daintier blooms.

Step 2: Cut tissue plies in half

Cutting facial tissue ply in half to form petals for paper flowers.

Begin by cutting the facial tissue ply in half lengthwise (shown above). Then, place the two sections on top of one another.

Creating squares and folds in facial tissue to make paper flowers.

Fold the double layer of tissue in half again, and make another cut along the fold to create a square with four layers (top photo above).

Next, fold the square in half again (bottom photo above), and you are now ready to create the blossoms!

Step 3: Fold tissue squares to form cone shape

Making petals for paper flowers with facial tissue.
  1. Fold the top-left edge of the square toward the middle at a slight 45-degree angle.
  2. Then, do the same with the other top-right edge to form a cone.
  3. Trim the bottom edge of the cone in a scalloped shape.
  4. Carefully cut the pointy tip of the cone, which will become the center of your cherry blossom flower.

Step 4: Color the blossoms with colored chalk or pastels

Open up your newly formed “paper flower” and begin coloring it gently with colored chalk.

Coloring paper flower with pastel chalk.

It’s helpful to hold the tissues at your fingertips to apply slight pressure as you dust the chalk onto the tissue, rotating between the layers. This helps prevent the tissue from ripping.

Pink tissue colored with sidewalk chalk to create paper cherry blossoms.

Step 5: Cut the edges of crepe paper to form stamens

To form the stamens, you’ll use yellow crepe paper and more pastel chalk.

Making yellow stamens for paper flowers.
  1. Cut a section of yellow crepe paper to create a “fringe” look that will become the stamens. Leave about 1/4 inch uncut so you can roll the strip of paper.
  2. Gently color the crepe paper with green chalk or pastels.
  3. Twist and scrunch the fringed edges of the stamens.
  4. Roll up the uncut edge of the crepe paper, trim the stamens to shorten them, and apply a dab of hot glue for the next step.

More Paper Flowers

If you want to learn how to make realistic paper roses, check out this related tutorial.

Step 6: Attach petals to stamen

While the glue is still hot on the stamen, attach one layer of tissue “petals” at a time, until you finish applying all four layers.

Try to alternate the scalloped edges of each layer to give more fullness, and use more glue in between the layers, as needed.

Gluing cherry blossom paper flowers onto real branches.

Glue the finished cherry blossoms to your branches, doubling some blossoms together here and there.

Final Look: Faux Cherry Blossom Paper Flowers

Here’s a final peek at the finished cherry blossom stems! I think these paper flowers are so romantic and spring-y.

Spring mantel with DIY faux cherry blossoms, mirror and candlesticks.

You can also find out more details about my spring mantel decor shown above and see what my blogging friends have done with their mantels this season.

For some different variations on paper decor, visit my posts on how to make tissue paper pom-poms and mimosa bar ideas.

Pin it for Later!

Attaching paper flowers to real stem.
First Day of Home signature
Cherry blossom paper flowers in galvanized metal bucket

How to Make Tissue Paper Flowers – Faux Cherry Blossoms

Author: firstdayofhome.com
Learn how to make beautiful, yet practical DIY tissue paper flowers with this simple step-by-step tutorial.
5 from 1 vote
Active Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Project Type Arts & Crafts
Cost (US$)5
Yield 1 bouquet

Equipment

  • Scissors
  • Hot glue gun or craft glue

Supplies
 

Instructions
 

Petals

  • Separate the tissue into individual plies to get the most delicate effect for your paper flowers.
    Separating plies of facial tissue to create cherry blossom petals
  • Cut the facial tissue ply in half lengthwise. Then, place the two sections on top of one another.
  • Fold the double layer of tissue in half again, and make another cut along the fold to create a square with four layers.
    Creating squares and folds in facial tissue to make paper flowers
  • Next, fold the square in half again.
  • Fold the top-left edge of the square toward the middle at a slight 45-degree angle.
  • Then, do the same with the other top-right edge to form a cone.
  • Trim the bottom edge of the cone in a scalloped shape.
  • Carefully cut the pointy tip of the cone, which will become the center of your cherry blossom flower.
  • Open up your newly formed “paper flower” and begin coloring it gently with colored chalk.
    Pink tissue colored with sidewalk chalk to create paper cherry blossoms

Stamens

  • Cut a section of yellow crepe paper to create a “fringe” look that will become the stamens.
  • Gently color the crepe paper with green chalk or pastels.
  • Twist and scrunch the fringed edges of the stamens.
  • Roll up the uncut edge of the crepe paper, trim the stamens to shorten them, and apply a dab of hot glue.
    Making yellow stamens for paper flowers

Blossoms

  • While the glue is still hot on the stamen, attach one layer of tissue “petals” at a time, until you finish applying all four layers.
  • Try to alternate the scalloped edges of each layer to give more fullness, and use more glue in between the layers, as needed.
  • Glue the finished cherry blossoms to your branches, doubling some blossoms together here and there.
    Gluing cherry blossom paper flowers onto real branches
Tried this project?Mention @firstdayofhome or tag #firstdayofhome!

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4 Comments

    1. Thank you so much, Pamela! I appreciate you stopping by, and yeah, I’m going to say fluffiness is a word. It should definitely be used more often! LOL!