Create Beautiful Tissue Flowers For Your Wedding Day

Tissue paper flowers are a fun, easy, and inexpensive way to add a pop of colour to your wedding. They can be used as table centrepieces, photo backdrops, or even in your bouquet. With just a few simple materials and steps, you can create beautiful, custom arrangements that will wow your guests. In this article, we will teach you how to make tissue paper flowers in different styles and sizes to fit any wedding theme. So, get your craft on and let's make some flowers!

Choosing the right type of tissue paper

Tissue paper flowers are a fun, easy, and inexpensive craft that can be used to decorate weddings. The choice of paper will impact the appearance and durability of the flowers. Here are some tips for choosing the right type of tissue paper for your wedding flowers:

Weight and Texture:

Tissue paper is a lightweight option that gives the flowers a delicate look. It is easy to work with and creates large, airy flowers. However, tissue paper may not be the best choice if you are looking for long-lasting flowers as it may tear easily and may not hold its shape over time.

Color:

Tissue paper is available in various colors, allowing you to create flowers in your wedding theme colors. You can also use multiple colors of tissue paper to create striped or ombre effects.

Size:

The size of the tissue paper sheets will determine the size of your flowers. For smaller flowers, cut down the size of the tissue paper squares. The number of layers of tissue paper will also impact the size and fullness of the flowers. Use the sizing chart below as a guide:

• 12" wide and larger: 8 layers
• 8" to 11": 6 layers
• 4" to 7": 5 layers
• Smaller than 4": 4 layers

Buying Tissue Paper:

If you need a large quantity of tissue paper for your wedding flowers, consider buying in bulk from Amazon, which offers the best color selection. Dollar Tree, Hobby Lobby, and Walmart are also good options, but their color selections may be more limited.

Fluffing the Flowers:

Tissue paper flowers require fluffing before use. It is important to fluff the flowers before your wedding day to avoid last-minute stress. Ask your family and friends to help with fluffing, and store the fluffed flowers in boxes for easy placement on your wedding tables.

Cutting the tissue paper into the right shape

Firstly, gather your materials. You will need tissue paper in your chosen colours, a ruler or measuring tape, and a pair of scissors. You can also use a rotary cutter, acrylic ruler, and self-healing cutting mat if you prefer. These tools are especially useful if you're making a large number of flowers.

Now, let's begin cutting! Start by stacking two large sheets of tissue paper. You can use bulk tissue paper, which usually has two vertical folds, or regular tissue paper with more folds.

Fold the two sheets of tissue paper in half, and then fold them in half again. This will give you a stack of eight layers of tissue paper.

Find the corner with all the separate pieces of paper (not the corner with a fold). Take this corner and fold it to the bottom edge to form a triangle.

Using your scissors or rotary cutter, trim off the extra rectangle of paper that is created by this fold. If you're making a large number of flowers, a rotary cutter, ruler, and self-healing cutting mat will make this task quicker and more efficient.

Open up the triangle to reveal a square. You will notice that some edges still have a fold. Trim off these folded edges to create eight individual squares.

At this point, you can also cut down the size of your squares if you want to make smaller flowers. The number of tissue paper layers you need will depend on the size of your squares. For squares that are 12 inches wide or larger, use eight layers. For 8- to 11-inch squares, use six layers. For 4- to 7-inch squares, use five layers, and for squares smaller than 4 inches, use four layers.

Now, you're ready to start shaping your petals! Accordion-fold the paper, usually resulting in six or seven folds. Then, staple the accordion in the centre to secure it.

Finally, trim each edge of the folded tissue paper to create the desired petal shape. You can cut rounded petals, pointed petals, or inverted rounded petals for different looks. Get creative and experiment with different cuts to achieve unique styles!

Remember, you can also create different styles by varying the thickness of your folds and the number of layers. Once you're happy with your petal shapes, carefully separate and fluff the layers of tissue paper to create a beautiful, full flower.

Folding the tissue paper

To make tissue paper flowers, you will need two large sheets of tissue paper. Fold the two sheets in half and then fold them in half again. You should now have a square.

Next, find the corner with all of the separate pieces of paper (not the corner with a fold). Take this corner and fold it to the bottom edge to make a triangle. Trim off the extra rectangle of paper. You can use scissors, but if you are making a lot of flowers, a rotary cutter, ruler, and self-healing cutting mat are optimal.

Open up the triangle to make a square again. You will notice that some edges still have a fold. Trim off those edges using a rotary cutter or slip your scissors into the fold and cut to separate all the pieces of paper. You should now have eight individual squares.

Now, fold the paper accordion-style. You should end up with around six or seven folds. Staple the accordion in the centre.

Trim each edge to create the flower petals. You can cut a rounded petal, a pointed petal, or an inverted rounded petal. You can also cut fringe-cut edges or make slits for a chrysanthemum shape.

Attaching the tissue paper

Step 1: Gather Your Tissue Paper:

Start by gathering your tissue paper; You will need several sheets of tissue paper, typically around 8-10 sheets, depending on the desired fullness of your flower. The tissue paper should be neatly stacked and free of any creases or folds.

Step 2: Fold the Tissue Paper:

Fold the tissue paper accordion-style. This means folding back and forth in a zig-zag pattern. Each fold should be approximately 1 inch wide. Continue folding until you reach the end of the tissue paper. The number of folds will depend on the desired size of your flower. For larger flowers, you can make thicker folds, while thinner folds are better for smaller flowers.

Step 3: Secure the Centre:

Once you have finished folding, secure the centre of the tissue paper. You can use a stapler or string to hold the folds together. If using a stapler, ensure that the staple goes through all layers of tissue. If using string, tie it tightly around the middle of the tissue paper.

Step 4: Cut the Petal Shapes:

Now, cut the petal shapes out of both ends of the tissue paper. You can create different shapes depending on the type of flower you want. For example, a rounded petal shape creates a peony or rose-like flower, while a triangle shape forms a dahlia. You can also get creative and experiment with different cuts to make unique flowers.

Step 5: Separate and Fluff:

Gently separate and fluff each layer of tissue paper, starting with the top sheet. Be careful not to tear the tissue as you work your way through the layers. Continue fluffing and shaping the tissue until a flower begins to emerge.

Step 6: Secure the Stem:

If you wish to add a stem to your flower, you can use materials such as pipe cleaners, twist ties, or even a stick from your garden. Securely attach the stem to the base of the flower, wrapping it tightly with string, floral tape, or ribbon.

Step 7: Display Your Flowers:

Finally, decide how you want to display your tissue paper flowers. You can hang them, create centrepieces, or use them to line walls or tables. For hanging, attach a string or fishing line to the base of the flower before fluffing. For a more secure attachment to walls or tables, use tape, push pins, or command strips.

Fluffing the tissue paper

Separating the Layers:

Start by carefully separating each layer of tissue paper. It is important to be gentle during this step to avoid tearing the delicate tissue. Pull from the inside of each layer, rather than out on each edge. This technique will help keep the flowers intact. Don't worry if you rip a few petals; with enough layers, it won't be noticeable.

Fluffing Technique:

Continue to separate the layers, working back and forth from one side of the flower to the other. As you fluff, a flower will begin to emerge. Keep fluffing and shaping the tissue until you achieve the desired fullness and a pretty, rounded shape. This process may take some time, but it is essential to creating a beautiful final product.

Tips for Larger Flowers:

If you are making larger flowers, it is important to use more layers of tissue paper to ensure the flower looks full and pretty. Adjust the size of your starting tissue paper stack and the number of layers accordingly. For example, if you are using 12" wide tissue paper, use 8 layers, while for 4" - 7" wide paper, 5 layers should be sufficient.

Different Flower Styles:

You can create different styles of flowers by varying the way you cut the tissue paper ends and the thickness of the folds. For a classic, rounded petal look similar to a peony or rose, cut rounded petals. If you prefer a more unique style, try cutting the ends into a triangle shape for a dahlia-inspired flower or adding slits for a chrysanthemum effect. Play around with different cuts and fold thicknesses to create a variety of tissue paper flowers for your wedding décor.

Frequently asked questions