Crafting Wedding Flowers From Paper And Fabric

Flowers are an integral part of any wedding, but they can be expensive. Paper and fabric flowers are a great alternative for those on a budget, and they can be kept as mementos long after the big day. Making your own flowers is also a fun activity to do with your bridesmaids and a great way to personalise your wedding.

How to make a paper flower bouquet

Making a paper flower bouquet is a fun and creative way to add a personal touch to your wedding. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to create a beautiful paper flower bouquet:

Materials:

• Heavy-weight crepe paper in various colours for petals, leaves, and stalks
• Florist's wire (18-gauge 14-inch and 22-gauge 14-inch)
• Hot glue gun or strong adhesive like UHU glue
• Scissors
• Ribbon
• Wire cutters

Step 1: Cut out the petals and leaves:

Download and print a template for your desired flower type (e.g., rose, peony, lily). Cut out the petals, calyx, and leaves using the template as a guide. You will need approximately 15 big petals, five small petals, five calyxes, and two leaves for each flower. Ensure the grain of the crepe paper runs from top to bottom to allow for sideways stretching.

Step 2: Stretch and shape the petals:

Start with the small petals and gently stretch them outward from the middle to create a slight cup shape. Be careful not to stretch too close to the edges, or they may flatten. Then, use a pencil to gently roll the top edge of the petals over, creating a natural curve. Repeat this process for the large petals.

Step 3: Assemble the flower:

Apply a small amount of glue to the bottom of one small petal and attach it to the 18-gauge wire. Hold it in place for a few seconds to ensure a strong bond. Continue gluing and attaching the remaining small petals, slightly overlapping each petal to create a circular shape.

Now, start adding the larger petals, using the same technique but also eyeballing the arrangement. Look at the flower from the top to identify any gaps and adjust as needed. You may not use all the petals, depending on the desired fullness of your flower.

Step 4: Add the calyx and leaves:

Apply glue to the bottom of each calyx and attach them to the base of the flower, covering the top of the wire. Move in a circle until the entire base is covered.

For the leaves, wrap a piece of 22-gauge wire with crepe paper. Add glue to one of the cut-out leaves and place the wire on top. Fold the leaf over itself so that the glue connects the two halves, and allow it to dry. Open the leaf and flatten it, then repeat with the remaining leaf.

Step 5: Create the stem:

Cut a long piece of green crepe paper with the grain running "up/down" the narrow part. Glue one end just below the leaf and wrap it down the wire at a 45-degree angle, stretching as you go to create a clean, tight wrap. Secure the end with glue.

Step 6: Assemble the bouquet:

Using glue, attach the leaves to each flower, positioning one higher than the other for a natural look. Starting just below the petals, glue a strip of green crepe paper and wrap it over the calyx and down the stem. When you reach a leaf, wind the paper tightly against it and then skip over, continuing down the stem.

Repeat these steps to create as many flowers as needed for your bouquet. Arrange the stems together and secure them with ribbon or floral tape to create a beautiful, handmade paper flower bouquet.

You can also add wired floral leaves from craft stores and trim the stems to the desired length with wire cutters.

Tips:

• Play with different colours and types of crepe paper to create unique flowers.
• Experiment with different petal shapes and sizes to create a variety of flowers.
• Add additional decorations like glitter or paint to make your bouquet even more special.
• Ask your friends and family to help with the fluffing and assembling process!

How to make a paper flower crown

Making a paper flower crown is a fun and creative project, especially for weddings, festivals and midsummer celebrations. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make your own paper flower crown using crepe paper and floral wire:

Materials:

• 180-gram florist crepe paper in various colours (e.g. Pink Pansy, Pink Shell, Marigold)
• 2 pieces of 18-gauge green floral wire
• 10-12 pieces of 22-gauge green floral wire
• Petal and leaf patterns (printable versions available online)
• Wax melting pot (optional)
• Paintbrush (optional)
• Tacky glue

Steps:

• Cut the 22-gauge wire into quarters, resulting in lengths of about 4-5 inches.
• Cut a few 1/4" strips of green crepe paper against the grain.
• Apply small amounts of tacky glue to a strip and wrap it around the top of the wire. Pull and twist the crepe paper in a downward diagonal direction as you work. Finish with a dab of glue and trim any excess.
• Create a daisy stamen by wrapping a small strip of orange crepe paper around the tip of the stem, twisting it onto itself to resemble a cotton swab.
• Cut a 2" x 4" piece of white crepe paper with the grain running vertically along the short edge. Fold it into an accordion to create 5 layers.
• Place the bottom of the daisy petal pattern along the bottom edge of the accordion and cut accordingly.
• Cut a point at the bottom to facilitate wrapping around the stem. Open the accordion, apply glue to the bottom left corner, and start wrapping around the stem.
• Wrap another green strip of crepe paper around the base of the flower and onto the stem.
• Fan out and bend or curl the petals using a chopstick or pencil, then spread them out further with your fingers.
• To make a poppy, start with a 1" x 3" piece of crepe paper for the fringed stamen. Cut a fringe along one edge, leaving about a 1/4" base.
• Roll the fringe and secure it to the stem with glue. Cut a 3" x 5.5" piece of orange paper and fold it into a 5-fold accordion. Use the poppy pattern to cut out the petals while keeping the base intact.
• Apply glue along the bottom, place the stamen, and roll the petals around it, pleating as you go.
• Wrap a strip of green crepe paper around the base, pulling, wrapping and twisting downwards. Finish with glue and trim any excess.
• Pull out each petal and expand it with your fingers.
• For a bell flower, start with a 1 x 1" piece of crepe paper. Cut a 1/4" fringe along the grain.
• Wrap the fringe around the top of a stem and ruffle it with your fingers.
• Cut a 2 x 2" piece of white crepe paper, apply glue along the grain, and form a tube. Place this over the stem.
• Pleat and pinch the base, then wrap a strip of green crepe paper around it.
• Peel the top of the tube away from the stamen and spread it open with your fingers.
• Cut out leaf shapes from green crepe paper using the patterns provided. Remember to align the petal patterns lengthwise, along the grain of the paper.
• Apply glue along the top of the stem and attach the leaves. Use a chopstick or pencil to give the leaves a natural bend and curve.
• (Optional) Melt beeswax in a pot and carefully brush it over the flowers to preserve them and give them a transparent look.
• Cut several 1/2" strands of dark green crepe paper. Glue and wrap one strip tightly around the bottom of one of the 18-gauge wires.
• Lay the other 18-gauge wire next to it and continue wrapping, creating a single thick wire. Form this into a large U shape.
• Bundle a flower with a couple of leaves and attach it to the centre of the U-shaped wire with a strip of crepe paper, ensuring the flowers point towards the centre.
• Continue adding flowers and wrapping as you work down the wire. When your green strip ends, simply glue it closed and start a new one.
• Stop adding flowers about 5-7 inches from the end. Trim any excess stems and wrap the bottom tips.
• Repeat the process on the other side, starting at the centre and working outwards.
• Curve the ends in, creating a circle that fits your head.
• Use a strip of crepe paper to create a small loop and trim any excess wire. Thread the other side through the loop and bend it backwards. Now your crown has a closure!
• Adjust the flowers and leaves as needed.

Your crepe paper flower crown is now complete and ready to be worn!

How to make a paper flower garland

Making paper flowers is a fun and creative way to add a personal touch to your wedding. You can make a paper flower garland with the following steps:

Step 1: Gather Materials

You will need crepe paper, floral wire, and floral tape. You may also want to use an upholstery needle and ribbon for stringing the flowers together.

Step 2: Cut out the Petals and Leaves

Use the crepe paper to cut out the desired number of petals and leaves for your flowers. You can also cut out the stamen from the crepe paper, or make it from floral wire, depending on your preference.

Step 3: Shape the Petals

Before attaching the petals to the stamen, you will need to shape them. You can cup the petals by pinching the paper between your thumbs and forefingers, pulling gently to stretch the paper and create a concave shape. For a more defined curl, roll the petals around a pencil.

Step 4: Assemble the Flowers

Using floral tape, attach the shaped petals to the stamen. You can also use the continuous-petal method, where you attach a strip of petals to the stamen and shape them afterward. This method works well for flowers like spider mums and dahlias.

Step 5: String the Flowers into a Garland

Once you have made all the flowers, you can string them together to create a garland. Thread an upholstery needle with a ribbon and run it through the centres of the flowers, leaving about 4 inches of space between each flower.

Additional Tips:

• You can use different colours of crepe paper to match your wedding palette.
• Experiment with different types of flowers, such as lilies, tulips, peonies, and roses.
• Start making the paper flowers early, as it may take some time to create enough for a garland.
• Consider using tissue paper instead of crepe paper for a different effect.

With these steps and tips, you can create a beautiful paper flower garland to decorate your wedding venue!

How to make a paper flower wreath

Making paper flowers is a great way to create long-lasting, durable, and whimsical wedding decorations on a budget. You can make paper flower wreaths out of various materials, including crepe paper, tissue paper, wallpaper, coffee filters, and even recycled book pages. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make a paper flower wreath for your wedding:

Materials:

• Paper: Crepe paper, tissue paper, or any other type of paper in your desired colours and patterns.
• Wire: Floral wire or 18-gauge cloth-wrapped floral wire for stems and a wreath base.
• Tape: Floral tape to attach petals and leaves to the stems.
• Scissors: For cutting the paper.
• Optional: Rotary cutter, acrylic ruler, and self-healing cutting mat for more precise and efficient cutting.

Step 1: Choose your flower type:

Decide on the type of flower you want to make, such as roses, lilies, tulips, or peonies. Each flower has a unique petal shape and arrangement.

Step 2: Cut out the petals and leaves:

Using your chosen paper, cut out the petals and leaves for your flowers. You can find templates online or create your own. Cut out a sufficient number of petals and leaves for each flower, depending on the chosen flower type.

Step 3: Shape the petals:

Gently shape and curve the petals to give them a more realistic and three-dimensional appearance. This can be done by pinching and pulling the paper gently with your fingers.

Step 4: Assemble the flowers:

Start by creating the stamen using crepe paper and floral wire. Then, attach the shaped petals to the stamen using floral tape. Add the leaves to the stem, positioning them appropriately for your chosen flower type.

Step 5: Create the wreath base:

Use wire to form a circular wreath base. You can use a wire heart wreath form, grapevine wreath form, or styrofoam wreath form. Ensure the base is sturdy enough to support the weight of the paper flowers.

Step 6: Attach the flowers to the wreath base:

Once you have created a sufficient number of paper flowers, it's time to attach them to the wreath base. Use floral tape or hot glue to secure the stems of the flowers to the wreath base, arranging them in a pleasing manner.

Step 7: Add optional embellishments:

You can enhance your paper flower wreath by adding real greenery, ribbons, or other decorative elements to complement the paper flowers.

By following these steps and choosing your desired colour scheme, you can create a beautiful and unique paper flower wreath that will be a stunning addition to your wedding decor.

How to make a paper flower backdrop

Paper flowers are a beautiful and inexpensive addition to your wedding décor, and they can be used to create a backdrop, bouquet, or floral hair accessory. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make a paper flower backdrop for your wedding:

Materials:

• Heavy weight crepe paper such as Italian Crepe Paper or Doublette Crepe Paper (normal craft crepe paper is too flimsy) in the petal colour, green for leaves and stalks
• Florists wire (18-gauge 14-inch—1 per flower and 22-gauge 14-inch—2 per flower)
• Hot glue gun or a tube of UHU glue
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Floral tape (optional)

Step 1: Cut out the petals and leaves:

Download and print a template for the type of flower you want to create. Cut out your petals, calyx, and leaves using the template. Make sure the grain of the crepe paper goes from top to bottom as it needs to be able to stretch sideways. Depending on the thickness of your paper, you can layer up to 3 sheets and cut out the petals and calyx together. Cut out the leaves individually as they are a bit trickier to get the finer details.

Step 2: Stretch and shape the petals:

Starting with the small petals, stretch them outward from the middle to create a slight cup. Then, use a pencil to roll the top of the petal over, creating an indentation. Do the same for the big petals.

Step 3: Assemble the flower:

Apply a small amount of glue near the bottom of one of the small petals on the side that is cupped in. Attach this to the 18-gauge wire, holding it for a few seconds to ensure it sticks well. Add glue to the next petal and attach it slightly over the first, with a slight overlap. Do the same with the rest of the small petals, moving in a circle. Now start adding the bigger petals, using the same technique. Look from the top to see where more petals are needed and adjust as needed.

Step 4: Add the calyx and leaves:

Apply a small amount of glue to the bottom of each leaf and attach it to the base of the rose on the top of the wire, with the leaves facing upwards. Move in a circle until the whole base is covered. To make the leaves, wrap a piece of 22-gauge wire in crepe paper, then add a strip of glue (bottom to top) to one of the cut-out leaves. Place the wire on top of the glue, fold the leaf over, and let it dry. Open up the leaf and fold it flat. Repeat with the remaining leaves.

Step 5: Wrap the stem:

Cut a long piece of green crepe paper with the grain facing “up/down” the narrow part. Add a little glue to one end and attach it just below the leaf. Wrap the paper down the wire at a 45-degree angle, stretching as you go to get a clean wrap. Glue it to the end of the wire.

Step 6: Assemble the bouquet:

Using your glue, attach the leaves to the flower, one higher than the other. Starting from the top of the rose (just below the petals), glue on your strip of green crepe paper and start wrapping over the bottom of the calyx and down the stem. When you reach a leaf, wind the paper until you are tightly up against it, then skip over it and wind below. Repeat this process to create as many flowers as needed for your backdrop.

Step 7: Create the backdrop:

Once you have created enough flowers, you can assemble your backdrop. This could involve attaching the flowers to a wall, creating a flower wall, or arranging the flowers in front of a backdrop. You can also add additional decorations such as fairy lights or a sign.

Your paper flower backdrop is now complete! This project may take some time and patience, but it will be a beautiful and unique addition to your wedding décor.

Frequently asked questions