DIY Wedding

How to Make Simple White Paper Flowers

comments (28) August 18th, 2008

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Jeffery Rudell, contributor

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This bouquet of delightfully airy flowers is as easy to make as it is beautiful.

Feather-weight blossoms sit atop gracefully arched wire stems; they even sway gently at the slightest breeze.

A unique white-on-vellum paper adds visual texture while allowing light to penetrate its translucent surface.

This bouquet of delightfully airy flowers is as easy to make as it is beautiful.

Photo: Jeff Rudell

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When designing a project, I usually have two objectives: 1) to make something beautiful, and 2) to make something that's simple to construct. It's this second part—keeping things simple—that's the real challenge. However, with this project, as with my previous post of Perfect Paper Daisies, the elements came together in a surprisingly elegant solution.

The response to that last post was quite positive (thank you to everyone who left a comment for me) so, as promised, I'm happy to present here a project originally created for, and published in, Brides magazine. The original DIY directions are still available on its website. For anyone who hasn't already browsed its site, I strongly recommend taking a look. It has some absolutely stunning craft ideas to offer and it is a great place to go for inspiration when you're planning a party, wrapping a gift, or decorating your home. This set of directions is slightly expanded (and I hope, improved) from those originally created for Brides.

Check out a video of this project here.

Note to readers: When crafting, it's often easier to set up an assembly-line workflow. These flowers, especially, lend themselves to such a process. You'll save a lot of time by cutting out all of the round disks first before moving on to creasing, trimming, gluing, and assembling. We all, of course, have our own preferred way of working, but this is what has worked best for me.

Get more paper flower projects:

• How to Make Elegant Parchment Flowers
• How to Make Crepe Paper Flowers
• How to Make a Paper Flower Centerpiece
• How to Make Perfect Paper Daisies

Materials:

1) White, translucent paper. I used a USA Silkscreen, machine-made vellum with white pattern paper stock. Style number: 5000, sheet size: 22" x 30 ", price: $6.00/sheet. Available at New York Central Art Supply (62 Third Avenue @ 11th Street, New York, NY 10003, 212-473-7705 OR view the product on its website.)

2) Floral wire (The gauge is dependent on the size and weight of the flowers you decide to make. The wire should be pliable enough to give you a graceful bend but should then hold its shape.)

3) Green floral tape for wrapping the floral wire. These tapes often come in light and dark green shades. I chose a light green to help give the bouquet the fresh, bright, springlike look of new growth.

4) A 3" circle template (I used a simple juice glass as my template.)

5) A pair of scissors and a craft or X-Acto knife

6) A pair of small needle-nose pliers

7) High-quality paper adhesive (I recommend Lineco Neutral pH Adhesive [$7.95 for an 8-oz. bottle] because it dries fast and clear and it is water soluble.)

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Comments (28)

turningchain writes: I made these using the small cupcake cups so that I didn't have to cut the 3" circles. They turned out lovely and have a nice effect with the creases! Thanks for a great project. They are fast and look beautiful. I'm using it as a centerpiece for a bridal shower.
Posted: 8:29 am on January 24th

Fadeaway12a writes: These are sooooo adorable!! I am actually making them right now as I type this...
Super easy so far...
Heres some changes I made though...
I am making my circles 2 and a quarter inch... because my paper is 8.5x11in and I can get more circles out of the paper that way.

I ordered 2 types of paper from lcipaper.com. The "Vellum Sukashi Floral White" (which is very similar to the paper used in this tutorial) and it's only $37 + shipping for 50 sheets!!

I also tried their "Translucent Glama Vellum Paper Pastel Pink" which is even cheaper at $11.04 + shipping for 50 sheets! BUT... definitely not as nice as the Sukashi floral white paper... its harder to fold and work with, and not as pretty...

you can also order samples of their paper before you commit to buying a whole pack which is nice.

hope these recommendations will help someone out.
Posted: 9:03 pm on May 31st

Patmaker writes: These are so pretty and dainty looking love them! great job!
Posted: 2:51 pm on May 25th

Redguide writes: As soon as I sa these I knew I woud love to use them for something. I made some immediately with just stuff I had around the house. Plain white paper and pipecleaners. I can't wait to get the real supplies and make a bouquet or two for a luncheon we are having a week Sunday. So simple, and so effective. Thank you so very much.
Posted: 4:34 pm on April 27th

pinkkangaroo writes: Those look so real. Mr.Rudell these are amazing works of art!
Posted: 2:27 pm on April 12th

sugarfairyplum writes: Mr. Rudell you are an artist!
Posted: 6:40 pm on September 29th

crystalkell writes: These are fabulous! I am getting married in 2 months and being an avid papercrafter I am having a paper bouquet (my bridesmaids are too) and I was looking for a filler flower, these are it. Thanks for the how to.
Posted: 6:07 am on June 3rd

Anni329 writes: Your work is elegant... Please keep sending these instructions. You make the world a better place.
Posted: 1:46 pm on May 20th

Rooty_Tooty writes: Very nice! Like your daisies, too! Hope you will share more of your flowers.
Posted: 7:37 pm on April 3rd

camilaustral writes: very very pretty! they don't look made from paper at all!
Posted: 2:21 pm on December 30th

White121 writes: There are many different types of paper which can be used for making paper flowers... Thanks 4 ideas!!!
From: www.MayWeddingFlowers.com
Posted: 6:49 am on August 31st

DebraC writes: Love these delicate and lovely blossoms :).
Posted: 12:55 am on August 3rd

PeaceKnitter writes: I absolutely fell in love with these flowers and immediately printed off the directions and ran to buy the supplies. Unfortunately...I'm doing something WRONG!!! And it is driving me up the wall..please any tips on how you had such success with these????
Posted: 12:10 pm on July 30th

kkved writes: nice
Posted: 10:39 pm on July 15th

lizzy321 writes: Have seen flowers much like these made from styrofoam egg cartons.
Posted: 1:39 am on April 27th

Maureclaire writes:
YOU are amazing ! Will you marry me ? !
Posted: 3:32 pm on March 29th

bichette writes: I tried... Snif...
'Realy desoled for my english, please tell me if you've receved my so beautiful bouquet ! lol !
Posted: 5:17 pm on March 12th

bichette writes: Hello, I try to send a picture...
[img]http://xs137.xs.to/xs137/09114/dscn2203896.jpg[/img]
Posted: 5:13 pm on March 12th

iekisch writes: Hello, I translated your article and placed it at my blog. Hpoe that is ok :)
www.diyredesign.blogspot.com
Posted: 3:00 pm on February 6th

Jeff_Rudell writes: Dear tonistre: The trick to getting Floral Tape to stick (or so I've found) is to keep in mind that the tape sticks best to ITSELF. This means the trick is to get the tape stuck to itself with a quick roll of the wire and tape together between your thumb and forefinger. Floral tape also seems to get "stickier" if you stretch it a little as you're rolling it. I'd suggest practicing rolling tape around a pencil (or something rigid) until you get a feel for how the tape responds to being stretched and pressed onto itself. I hope this helps.
Posted: 10:22 pm on January 20th

tonistre writes: I love these flowers. I just can't get the tape to go on the wire stems and the frustration level is intense. Is there a trick to twisting the tape on the wire? or is this just a "practice" thing?
toni
Posted: 9:41 am on January 18th

smithking writes: I Love these and have been admiring your work for some time. I just used these in the base of a hat project for my art school. If you would like to see what I did with your design... http://smithking.blogspot.com/
Posted: 3:54 am on October 30th

riizu writes: I am so excited to use these in my wedding next year!
Posted: 1:51 pm on October 28th

evonnie writes: I made these little flowers, and they turned out just wonderful. A long time friend is moving out of state, so I gave her a tea party as a going away party. I made the flowers and they looked marvelous! They were so lite and airy and fantastic looking. I used white tissue paper, and I loved them. Thank you for such an innovative idea.
Posted: 9:42 am on September 24th

gardenparty writes: love
love
love

these.

as a green event planner, i am always looking for cool alternatives to cut flowers. these are contemporary, modern and whimsical.

i hope i get to incorporate these into an event design soon.

Posted: 11:00 pm on September 6th

Jrsjewels writes: Very pretty. So dainty and elegant!
Posted: 7:28 am on August 31st

oshynlover writes: Those are so real looking from across the room. I love it. Goes well with my dining decor and the kitties won't eat them. :) Thanks for the idea.
Posted: 5:42 am on August 21st

craftasaurus writes: Ooooh! These are so pretty, I can't decide which ones I like better, the daisies or these! I think if I were forced to chose I'd pick BOTH. Thanks so much for your posts--they are awesome. I love how simple and elegant they are.
Posted: 2:21 pm on August 19th

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