Creating Colorful Mexican Paper Flowers For Your Wedding

Mexican paper flowers are a fun and easy craft project, perfect for weddings, parties, and other celebrations. They are made from tissue paper or crepe paper and can be created in a variety of colours and styles. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to make your own Mexican paper flowers, from choosing the right materials to shaping and cutting the petals. We will also offer tips on how to use your flowers to create beautiful decorations and centrepieces. So, get your craft supplies ready and let's begin!

Choosing and stacking coloured tissue paper

Choosing the right coloured tissue paper is essential to making beautiful Mexican paper wedding flowers. The tissue paper you select will depend on the look you are trying to achieve and the event you are crafting for. For a festive look, choose bright, contrasting colours. If you are making flowers for a wedding, you may want to opt for softer, more related colours for a pretty, natural effect.

You will need six sheets of tissue paper for each flower. Stack the sheets of tissue paper neatly, with the colour you want as the centre of the flower on top, and the colour you want as the back of the flower on the bottom. If you are making flowers for a wedding, you may want to make the bottom layer green to look like leaves.

If you are making smaller flowers, cut the stack of tissue paper in half lengthwise. You can also trim the ends of the tissue paper stack into different shapes to create distinct petals. Try a pointed edge, a rounded edge, or a V-shaped notch. You can even get creative and make a second layer of green paper, cutting it into sharp points to form leaves.

Once you have chosen and stacked your tissue paper, you are ready to start folding it into an accordion.

Accordion-style folding

Firstly, select and stack your paper. Choose four to six sheets of tissue paper or crepe paper in bright, vibrant colours. You can alternate and combine different colours to create a unique look. Stack the paper neatly, with the colour you want as the centre of your flower on top, and the colour for the back of the flower at the bottom. If you want to create smaller flowers, you can cut the stack in half lengthwise.

Now, you will create the accordion fold. With your stack of paper in portrait orientation, take the bottom short side and fold it up about an inch. Then, flip your stack over and fold it upwards again by the same amount. Keep flipping and folding the paper in alternate directions until your entire stack forms a strip of approximately one inch in width. Don't worry if your folds are not perfectly parallel or exactly an inch wide; the process is not an exact science!

Once you have your accordion-folded stack, you can proceed to the next steps of making your Mexican paper wedding flowers. This may include cutting petal shapes, attaching a pipe cleaner or stem, and carefully fanning out the layers of tissue paper to form a beautiful, round flower.

The accordion-style folding technique is a simple yet effective way to create the base for your Mexican paper flowers. It may take a little practice to perfect, but with patience, you'll be able to craft stunning flowers for any celebration or decoration.

Securing the centre with a pipe cleaner

To secure the centre of your Mexican paper flowers with a pipe cleaner, follow these steps:

Firstly, take a pipe cleaner and fold it over the middle of your paper strip. The pipe cleaner should be folded over the side that shows your top colour. If you are using a combination of colours, the top colour will become the centre of your flower.

Next, twist the ends of the pipe cleaner together so that it is securely fastened around the centre of your paper strip. Twist the pipe cleaner a few times to make sure it is tight and secure.

If you are having trouble finding the middle of the paper strip, simply fold the strip in half and secure the pipe cleaner at the fold. This will ensure that the pipe cleaner is in the right place.

Now you can get creative! Cut each end of the paper strip into a petal shape. You can make rounded, jagged, pointy, fringed, square, or any other shape you like. You can even make a lace edge, similar to a snowflake. Just make sure that your cuts are at least an inch deep, towards the pipe cleaner in the centre. This will ensure that the flower will fan out properly.

Now, unfold the stack on both sides of the pipe cleaner, just like opening a fan. The two sides should open into a circular shape. If it doesn't open widely enough, you may need to make deeper cuts for the petals.

Securing the centre of your Mexican paper flower with a pipe cleaner is a simple and effective way to keep your flower together. It also leaves you with a handy stem to attach your flower to whatever you would like to adorn!

Cutting petal shapes

Cutting the petal shapes is a fun part of the process as it allows you to be creative and experiment with different designs. You can cut each end of the folded paper into a petal shape of your choice. You can try cutting them into rounded, jagged, pointy, fringed, square, or even lace-like snowflake shapes. Just ensure that your cuts are at least an inch deep towards the pipe cleaner in the centre, to guarantee that the flower will fan out properly. You can also cut the ends into a curved or pointed shape for a more defined petal.

If you are making smaller flowers, you can cut your stack of paper in half lengthwise before you begin folding. This will ensure that your petals are proportional to the size of your flower.

Fluffing and separating the layers

Start by carefully lifting the first sheet of tissue paper towards the centre, where the pipe cleaner is attached. Be gentle to avoid tearing the delicate paper. You will notice that the tissue paper naturally forms a cup-like shape as you lift it towards the centre. Repeat this process on the opposite side, creating a symmetrical cupped shape.

Continue lifting and separating each layer of tissue paper towards the centre. Work slowly and carefully to ensure each layer is fullysection separated and fluffed. The key to achieving a beautiful flower is taking your time with this step.

As you separate the layers, pay attention to the overall shape of the flower. You want each layer to form a continuous circle, creating a rounded flower shape. Adjust the tissue paper as needed to ensure a symmetrical and aesthetically pleasing result.

Once all the layers have been separated, focus on fluffing and shaping the petals. Gently pull and arrange each layer to create a full and fluffy flower. You can curve and shape the petals to your liking, creating unique and intricate designs.

If you are working with multiple colours, ensure that the layers are evenly distributed and that the colours are well-blended. You can create interesting effects by carefully manipulating the placement of the different coloured layers.

Finally, adjust the flower as needed to ensure it sits securely on its stem. The pipe cleaner should be tightly twisted around the centre of the flower, providing a sturdy base. If desired, you can add additional tape or ribbon to enhance the security of the stem.

Frequently asked questions