PAPER FLOWERS: PART 1 – MAKE THE PETALS

Years ago, my mom taught me how to make these paper flowers (click here to see some examples), and they have become one of my most favorite projects. My mom herself learned and perfected the technique so that she could make a bouquet for me and a boutonniere for Silas. Now it is my pleasure to share this paper-craft with you. My mom and I developed a number of variations for the paper flowers, which I will share in future posts. In this post, we’ll begin making a basic petal design. In the next post, we’ll assemble the petals into a complete flower. 

Step #1: Gather your materials.

• Paper – The weight of the paper affects the ease of the project (the lighter the easier), but you can use virtually any kind of regular paper. Naturally aged pages have a great deal of character. Other ideas are sheet music and wrapping paper. 
• Floral stem wire – Choose a 16-18 gauge wire. A higher gauge will be too weak to support the weight of your paper flower.
• White glue – Any white glue will do.
• Clips – You can use anything you have on hand: clothespins, bobby pins, binder clips, etc.

Step #2: Cut a square of paper. A typical paperback novel is the perfect size. If you cut a square out of a page, save the rest of the page for Part 2 of this project.

Step #3: Fold the square in half diagonally. Place the open side towards the top. Your folded paper should look like a triangle with the longest side on the bottom. 

Step #4: Fold the right corner of the triangle to the center corner. 

Repeat for the other side. Then place the open side towards the top. Your folded paper should now look like two triangles with their long sides touching, and the two triangles overlying a square.

Step #5: Fold down the long side of the right triangle to meet the short side of the triangle. 

Repeat for the other side. Your folded paper should now look like a kite with two triangles emerging from the sides. 

Step #6: Trim both side triangles to make them flush with the square underneath. Your folded paper should now look like a square that is made of a kite and two triangles. Position the triangles towards the bottom and the kite upright.

Step #7: Place glue along the bottom two sides of the square. Then lift the triangles and place glue along the bottom two sides of the square under the flaps of the triangle. Place the flaps of the triangles back down. 

Step #8: Fold but do not crease the square vertically along the diagonal of the square. Make sure that you bring the faces of the two triangles together. Once again, make sure you do not crease along the fold. 

Step #9: Secure the glued edges with a clip. Wait until the glue is dried, then remove the clip. Depending on the weight and quality of your paper, this should take just a few minutes. 

Congratulations: This is one petal! Repeat the above process so that you have around five to seven petals. Then, wait for Part 2 of this series, when we will finish our paper flower!

Until next time,
Kathy May and Silas

VISIT ALL THE POSTS IN OUR “PAPER FLOWERS” HOW-TO SERIES!
Paper Flowers: Introduction
Paper Flowers: Part 1 – Make the Petals
Paper Flowers: Part 2 – Coming soon….!

I love the look of old paperback book pages. Initially I scoured Goodwill and Salvation Army for literary classics that I’ve read because I liked the idea of eternalizing beautiful and meaningful pieces of writing into my crafts. Upon further thought, I’ve realized that doing so also takes valuable classics out of circulation! Now I leave those alone and just use any old books.

Please try making your own paper flowers in our How-To series, links below. Then, please share your comments and creations in the Comments section below!

VISIT ALL THE POSTS IN OUR “PAPER FLOWERS” HOW-TO SERIES!
Paper Flowers: Introduction
Paper Flowers: Part 1 – Make the Petals
Paper Flowers: Part 2 – Coming soon….!

[See image gallery at www.kathymayandsilas.com]