Home » Paper Flowers » Paper Sunflower Tutorial: How to Make Classic Paper Sunflowers
|

Paper Sunflower Tutorial: How to Make Classic Paper Sunflowers

This post may contain affiliate links that won’t change your price but will share some commission.

A bouquet of colorful paper sunflowers; pink, red, and purple sunflowers sit on top of two stacked books.

A Bright and Cheery Paper Sunflower how-to guide

There is no other flower quite like a sunflower. Since I have already conquered a large paper sunflower, I decided it was time to add a small paper sunflower tutorial to my paper flower collection. In time, I feel I may come up with another giant sunflower variation, though!

This paper sunflower tutorial will make you feel bright and cheery in no time. And because I love color so much, I decided to mix in non-traditional colors for an extra unique pop!

As always, let’s visit our supply list real quick and then get started!

Two stacked images of large, colorful paper sunflowers made with yellow, blue, and purple paper. Image text overlay reads "how to make paper sunflowers"

Paper Sunflower Supplies:

Step 1: Cut Out Your Petals

You will have 2 petal sizes for the sunflower petals plus the sunflower center pieces. To get started on your paper sunflower tutorial, cut the following number of petals/fringe pieces out:

  • Larger sunflower petals – 2
  • Smaller sunflower petals – 2
  • Fringe center pieces- 16-20

If needed, cutting machine measurements are in the description of the tutorial video on Youtube, linked below.

Two side-by-side images showing a fringe shears cutting a thin piece of brown paper to create the frayed centerpiece of the paper sunflower.
Two side-by-side images showing a frayed piece of brown paper, then stacks of frayed brown construction paper strips next to yellow paper sunflower cutouts.

Step 2: Create the Sunflower Center Piece

To create the center of the sunflower, we will slightly fold the fringe down by bending it with your fingers.

If you do not have a cutting machine, then you can just cut out 7 inch by 1/2-inch strips and cut small slits all the way down using regular or fringe scissors as shown in the first photo set above.

Two side-by-side images showing the process of making the center of a paper sunflower: frayed strips of brown paper rolled into a perfect sunflower center.

When making the sunflower center, it can be helpful to glue and overlap 2-3 strips at a time and then roll them together.

Beginning at one end, start rolling the fringe center piece inwards. Add glue as you go every few rolls to keep it tightly together.

Continue rolling till you have used 16-20 fringe pieces. The whole center will probably take you 5-7 minutes to roll. Your center will measure between 2-3 inches once made.

Step 3: Shape Your Paper Sunflower Petals

Two side-by-side images showing how to shape the petals of a yellow paper sunflower. Use a small wooden dowel to roll the tips of the sunflower petals.

Moving on to the sunflower petals. We will curl each petal using a thin wood dowel. A pencil can work as well. I’m curling all the petals of the larger sunflower cuts backward. For the smaller sunflower layers, I am curling 1 backward and then alternating for the 2nd cut. You can mix it up here. Sunflowers are very forgiving. 🙂

In the video, you will see me using my shaping mat and rolling tool. If you do not have one then you can use your fingers to bend the petals up.

Two side-by-side images of yellow paper sunflower petals stacked on top of each other.

Step 4: Begin Layering the Sunflower Petals

Starting with your 2 largest petal layers, glue them together – one on top of the other. Try to alternate the petal layers, so they are not directly stacked.

Continue the same way by gluing on the 2 smaller petal layers. For my last petal layer, I curled 2 petal points inwards and 2 backward. Again, there is no exact right way to do this.

Step 5: Add the Sunflower Center

To complete the sunflower, glue in your center! You can watch the full video below and if you want to learn how to stem this sunflower take a look at that video below as well!

Two side by side images showing stacked yellow paper sunflower petals, and a completed yellow paper sunflower with a brown center piece.
Paper Sunflower Tutorial

Paper Sunflower Tutorial

Active Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy

Learn how to make these classic, colorful paper sunflowers! This beginner-friendly tutorial shows how to make gorgeous paper sunflowers in just about any color you can imagine!

Instructions

Step 1: Cut Out Your Petals

    Cut the following number of petals/fringe pieces out:

  • Larger sunflower petals - 2
  • Smaller sunflower petals - 2
  • Fringe center pieces - 16-20

Step 2: Create the Sunflower Center Piece

    To create the center of the sunflower, we will slightly fold the fringe down by bending it with your fingers. If you do not have a cutting machine, then you can just cut out 7-inch by 1/2-inch strips and cut small slits all the way down using regular or fringe scissors

Step 3: Shape Your Paper Sunflower Petals

    We will curl each petal using a thin wood dowel. A pencil can work as well. I'm curling all the petals of the larger sunflower cuts backward.

Step 4: Begin Layering the Sunflower Petals

    Starting with your 2 largest petal layers, glue them together - one on top of the other. Try to alternate the petal layers, so they are not directly stacked. Continue the same way by gluing on the 2 smaller petal layers.

Step 5: Add the Sunflower Center

    To complete the sunflower, glue in your center!

Did you make this project?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

A close-up image of a pink paper sunflower with a bright blue center.

I loved creating these especially since I really played with color here. Whatcha think? How would you use this paper sunflower tutorial? Tell me below! And if you enjoyed this please be a pal and share!

Colorful paper sunflowers made with pink, purple, yellow, and blue paper with pink, orange and brown sunflower centers.

Discover More

Share what you’ve been up to by using #DIYwithAbbi. I would love to see your creativity in the works so flaunt your flower power magic! You are a huge source of my inspiration!

My mission is to inspire you to nurture the creative magic inside your soul – bringing you fun, easy to learn DIY projects, and quality template designs. I share a variety of projects but specifically love paper crafting and paper flowers. Interested in more flower tutorials?! I’ve created dozens of signature designs for you to enjoy – starting with my best seller, The Art of Giant Paper Flowers, the Giant Flower Library and my shop of endless paper designs and flower templates.

Feeling overwhelmed? Start with my tried and true Resource List!

Thanks for letting me pop into your day!

A collage of images showing all the steps to make colorful paper sunflowers.

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

2 Comments

  1. These are so adorable! I’ve been trying to add more yellow to my life, and this seems like the perfect way to do it. Thank you for sharing! I’m definitely pinning this for later.

  2. this is soo cool! great job!