Crafting Tissue Paper Flowers For Wedding Pews

Tissue paper flowers are a great way to decorate your wedding venue on a budget. They are easy to make, inexpensive, and can be used in a variety of ways to dress up the space. In this article, we will show you how to make tissue paper flowers step-by-step, as well as provide some ideas for how to use them to decorate your wedding pews. Whether you're looking for a simple DIY project or a unique way to add a pop of color to your big day, tissue paper flowers are a perfect choice.

Choosing the right paper

Tissue paper flowers are a fun, easy, and inexpensive craft that can be used in a variety of ways to decorate your wedding. The choice of paper will impact the overall appearance and durability of your creations. Here are some tips to help you choose the right paper for your tissue paper flowers:

Type of Paper

Tissue paper is a popular choice for making paper flowers due to its lightweight and affordable nature. It is available in various colours and is easy to work with. However, it may not be as durable as other types of paper and may tear easily. If you are looking for a more durable option, crepe paper or cardstock paper are also suitable for making paper flowers. Crepe paper has a unique texture that mimics the look and feel of actual flower petals, while cardstock paper is thicker and can be found in a variety of textures and prints.

Thickness of Tissue Paper

The thickness of tissue paper is typically measured in GSM (grams per square meter), LB, and PT. For tissue paper, the GSM ranges from 10 to 40, while the LB ranges from 10 to 24. The higher the number, the thicker and heavier the paper. For example, 20lb tissue paper is extremely thin, sheer, and delicate, while 24lb tissue paper is slightly thicker, stiffer, and less translucent. Consider the type of flower you want to create and the desired visual look when choosing the thickness of your tissue paper.

Colour and Design

Tissue paper comes in a wide range of colours and designs, allowing you to create unique and eye-catching paper flowers. You can also layer different colours of tissue paper to create a striped or ombre effect. If you are looking for a natural-looking paper flower, consider choosing colours that resemble real flower petals. Additionally, you can add metallic paint to the tips of the tissue paper for a unique touch.

Size of Tissue Paper

The size of the tissue paper will determine the size of your flowers. If you want to make bigger flowers, you will need to use larger sheets of tissue paper and more layers. For smaller flowers, cut down the size of your squares and adjust the number of layers accordingly. You can also create different styles of flowers by cutting the petals in various shapes, such as rounded, pointed, or inverted rounded edges.

Buying Tissue Paper

When buying tissue paper, consider purchasing it in bulk to get a better price. Stores like Dollar Tree, Hobby Lobby, and Walmart offer a variety of colours and designs, while Amazon provides an even wider selection. If you are looking for a more sustainable option, look for tissue paper made from alternative fibres such as hemp, recycled paper, or sugarcane waste.

Cutting the paper

To make tissue paper flowers for wedding pews, you will need a rotary cutter, acrylic ruler, and self-healing cutting mat, or simply some scissors. You will also need two large sheets of tissue paper.

First, fold the two tissue paper sheets in half, and then fold them in half again. 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. Scissors will work if you are making a small number of flowers, but for larger quantities, a rotary cutter, ruler, and self-healing cutting mat are optimal.

When you open up the triangle to make a square, you will notice that some edges still have a fold. Trim off these edges using a rotary cutter, or slip a pair of 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 the ends of each flower in different ways to create a unique look. For example, you can cut a rounded petal, a pointed petal, or an inverted rounded petal.

Folding the paper

To make tissue paper flowers for wedding pews, you will need a few simple supplies to get started. These include a pack of tissue paper (with 8 sheets), floral wire, and floral scissors.

Firstly, you will need to cut your tissue paper to the desired size. If you want to make large pom flowers, you can leave the tissue paper uncut. For smaller flowers, fold the stack of tissue paper in half and then cut it into squares. For instance, if you cut an 8x8 square, you will have 16 layers for your flower.

Next, fold the tissue paper in an accordion style. Each fold should be about 1 inch wide. You can determine the number of folds based on your desired flower size. Generally, 6 or 7 folds work well for tissue paper flowers.

Once you have finished folding, take a small piece of floral wire and wrap it around the centre of the accordion-folded paper. This will secure the tissue paper in place and form the base of your flower.

Now, it's time to cut the "petals" of your flower. Trim each end of the tissue paper to create a rounded tip. You can also experiment with different styles, such as pointed or inverted rounded petals, to give your flowers a unique look.

After cutting the petals, it's time to fluff your flower. Carefully pull each layer of tissue paper towards the centre, creating a full and fluffy flower. Be gentle during this step, as tissue paper can tear easily. Continue fluffing until you have shaped all the layers.

Finally, you can add a stem to your flower if desired. Pipe cleaners or floral wire wrapped in green tissue paper or tape can be used as a stem. You can also attach multiple flowers together to create a bouquet or a wreath.

With these simple steps, you can create beautiful tissue paper flowers for your wedding pews. They are an inexpensive and creative way to decorate your wedding venue, and you can customise the colours and sizes to match your theme.

Shaping the petals

To begin shaping the petals, you will need to start with the folded tissue paper stack. Using a pair of scissors or a rotary cutter, carefully trim each edge of the folded stack to create the desired petal shape. You can experiment with different styles, such as rounded, pointed, or inverted rounded petals, to add variety to your flowers. This step will determine the overall shape and style of your petals, so feel free to get creative!

Once you have decided on the petal shape, carefully separate the layers of the flower by pulling gently from the inside of each layer, rather than the edges. This technique will help prevent tearing and ensure that your petals remain intact. It is normal to experience some tearing, especially if you are creating a large number of flowers, but with enough layers, it will not be noticeable.

Continue fluffing and shaping each layer until you have formed half of the flower. Then, repeat the process on the other side to complete the other half. The key to achieving full and voluminous petals is to be gentle and patient during the fluffing process. Take your time with each layer, and don't be afraid to add more layers if you want a fuller flower.

If you are making smaller paper flowers, simply cut down the size of your tissue paper squares accordingly. The number of tissue paper layers you will need depends on the size of your squares. For squares that are 12" wide or larger, use 8 layers, while for squares between 8" and 11", use 6 layers. For smaller squares, ranging from 4" to 7", 5 layers should be sufficient, and for squares smaller than 4", you can reduce the number of layers to 4.

With these simple steps, you can create beautifully shaped petals for your tissue paper flowers. Remember to take your time, be gentle, and experiment with different petal shapes to add interest and variety to your wedding pew decorations. Enjoy crafting these gorgeous flowers for your special day!

Fluffing the flowers

Start by carefully separating the layers of the flower. Pull from the inside of each layer, rather than out on each edge. This will help to keep the flowers from tearing. It's normal to rip some petals, but don't worry—there are so many petals on each flower that it won't be noticeable. Keep fluffing and separating the layers until you have half of the flower complete. Then, repeat the process on the other side.

If you want your flowers to be really full, use 16 layers of tissue paper. You can also adjust the fullness by cutting down the size of your squares. For example, if you use 8-inch squares, you'll create 4-inch flowers.

To create a different look, try cutting the ends of each layer into rounded or pointed petals before fluffing. This will give your flowers a unique style and add some variety to your decorations.

Remember to fluff all your flowers before your event. It can be stressful to try to fluff them on the day of your wedding. Instead, store your fluffed flowers in a box, separating them by variety and colour, so they're ready to be displayed on your big day.

With these tips, you'll be able to create beautiful and budget-friendly tissue paper flowers for your wedding pews that will impress your guests and add a special touch to your ceremony.

Frequently asked questions