DIY Paper Flower Supplies: Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting Realistic Blooms

Tools to Cut Your Paper Petals

Cutting paper flower petals is a major aspect of crafting these beauties. There are some particular tools I recommend to get the cut just right.

Using A Cutting Machine For Paper Flowers

Cricut Cutting Machine: Maybe if you’re someone like me who really loves this paper flower thing, then you’re definitely going to want to invest in a cutting machine – this is a must-have on my paper flower supplies list.

I personally use and HIGHLY recommend Cricut machines. Not only can the machine help you make stunning paper blooms, but it opens up a new world of craft possibilities.

Using a cutting machine to make paper flowers also gives you the freedom to create different sizes by scaling the SVG files in software like Design Space.

If you aren’t sure which Cricut machine is a good fit for you, I can help with that too. Get a full comparison of the Explore and Maker machines here.

Likewise, you can check out other cutting machine brands such as Silhouette, Scan N Cut, etc.

Cutting Paper Flowers by Hand With Scissors

Scissors: For simplistic flower petal shapes and a patient hand, cutting with scissors and using printable PDF files is a great way to get started with easily making paper flowers. Even though I usually use my Cricut cutting machine, it is necessary to have a good pair of craft scissors in your workspace at all times.

Fringe Scissors (a.k.a herb scissors): Every time I show off these fringe scissors in a video, everyone wants to know where to find them! Most often, I use these scissors for detailed flower centers. They’re commonly known as herb scissors and can be found on Amazon or even in grocery stores.

Pinking Shears: Some of the best techniques are ones that you invent. This is a little trick to add texture to the edges of your flower centers. I like to use this trick most often with my pompom center. Using the pinking sheers creates a pointed edge rather than a boxy one, and therefore, it looks more natural.

Detail Scissors: I was never a user of detail scissors, but after picking up a pair, I realized just how useful they are! They’re great for correcting small cuts or adding intricate details.

Flower Punches: In this step, I also like to throw in flower punches and flower die cuts because if you’re making these paper flowers by hand, there will be times when the center of small flowers is just too intricate to cut by hand. In this case, swap the flower center for a flower punch to save your hands and time.

How to Curl and Shape Petals For Paper Flowers

Curling a paper flower petal is what makes the entire flower come to life. From a flat 2D piece of paper to a 3D blooming beauty jumping out at you, curling and shaping techniques are very key.

Wood Dowel: The first option I use most often is a thin wood dowel. Using a wood dowel is very effective in curling petals at angles. I usually opt for 1/4 – 1/2-inch wood dowels.

Paper Blooms Shaping Mat and Tool Set: This is my absolute FAVORITE way to shape petals! The Paper Blooms shaping mat and toolset lets you cup petals, curl petals, add ridges and veins, and overall, take your flowers to the next level.

Cricut Scraper: The last way I shape my petals or leaves is with a paper craft scraper tool. Since I use a Cricut machine, I love the Cricut scraper. This tool gives you the ability to curl crisp curves on leaves and petals quickly.

Quilling Tool: Quilling tools are perfect for helping you roll rosette flowers together in a flash. Take a peek at how I roll my flowers with these quilling tools on Instagram.

I also recently discovered this Flowtool, which is great for rolling rosettes easily.

Distress Inks and Oxide: How To Add Color To Petals

If you really want to make your paper flowers look life-like, consider adding some ink to the edges or centers. This step takes a little more time but is well worth the lovely, next-level results.

Stamp Ink: Using ink to distress my flower petals is usually my go-to option. There are so many great inks out there, but I highly recommend Tim Holtz Ink and Color Box.

Pan Pastels: Pan pastels are a more recent discovery of mine. I love how easy it is to blend colors with the pastels. If blending is what you’re after, then pan pastels are for you.

Paint/Pens: Never underestimate the power of the pen! Pen and paints are a great option for dressing up any paper flower petal. Watercolors are the best for painting petals. Whether you want to free-hand some designs or have your Cricut draw some details onto a leaf, at some point, be sure to give it a try.

Brushes and Ink Daubers: My favorite ways to apply the distress inks/oxides and pan pastels is with an ink blending brush and finger daubers. And you’ll love this glass craft board for blending and experimenting with your colors! You’ll be amazed at how much lifelike detail can be added with the shading and depth effects from inks and oxides!

The image below was a shared photo inside my Facebook group from a Grandmother who had her grandkids color the petals, and then she built a flower out of it. Such an original idea and so beautiful!

The Best Glue For Paper Flowers

There are quite a few other necessary supplies for paper flower making. Let’s cover those next.

Glue Gun: Of course, we’ll need something to hold all those petals together. I always opt to use a glue gun because it holds well and dries quickly, which is exactly what you’re looking for when making paper flowers.

It can be ideal to have both a larger and mini glue gun on hand for working with both giant and small paper flowers. My favorite brand is Surebonder, and you want to opt for a high-temp hot glue gun.

And to protect those fingers, check out these finger protectors.

Bearly Art Glue: Occasionally, there will be a paper type that hot glue may not agree with – this happens to me every once and a while with glitter or metallic paper.

In that case, I love to use the Bearly Art brand. Their glue dries clear and relatively quickly. This is also great if you’re making flowers with kids or anyone you don’t want working with hot glue.

Supplies for stemming paper flowers

Wire for Stemming: When it comes to stemming a paper flower, arranging them on a wreath, or in bouquets, you need a reliable floral wire for your blooms.

I’ve always been happy using 18-gauge wire. It’s strong enough that your flower won’t droop, yet flexible enough that you can bend it as needed. In some cases, you may need a thinner wire for more delicate blooms or paper leaves. In that case, I recommend a 24-gauge or 22-gauge wire.

On the opposite end, you may want an extra heavy stem for some flowers like sunflowers. In that case, I recommend this thick 16-gauge paper-wrapped wire here.

I’ve also opted for some other wire variations on occasion, like this brown vine-like wire for flower crowns.

When using floral wires, you’ll also need to have some needle-nose pliers and wire clippers on hand. I like this plier and clipper set here.

Floral Tape: To cover your wire with a more finished look, opt for floral tape in a variety of colors.

Cotton Spun Balls and Wood Beads: I love to find objects that I can use to build petals onto. Using these cotton spun balls and wood beads are perfect for detailed centers for flowers. I’ve also used 8-12mm pearls as stoppers on wires or to create small center stamen. And mini foam balls are handy for holding the stems and flowers in place.

Supplies For Hanging Giant Paper Flowers

With giant paper flowers, you need to think about how you will hang them. Big flowers are assembled with large petals and then a base. The base provides the perfect area for attaching a means to hang the flowers. Read my full resource on hanging giant flowers here.

Here are a few quick options for mounting large flowers onto a wall or wood frame. You may also want to attach your flowers to a portable backdrop.

Command Strips: Sticky command strips or velcro command strips work great for sticking large paper flowers to a wall and are usually my first choice since they are damage-free.

Mounting Tape: Mounting tape is just like command strips but heavier duty and something you want to use for more permanent use.

Wood Frame and Draping Fabric: Attaching removable flowers to a wood frame backdrop works well to wrap the flower’s wire around. Covering the frame with draping fabric makes for a softer, finished look.

DIY Free-Standing Backdrop: If you’re wanting your flowers to be free-standing, a great alternative to a wall or ready-made wood backdrop that’s both cost-effective and simple is making your own backdrop out of PVC tubing. Check out this DIY step-by-step tutorial where I show you how to make your own free-standing PVC backdrop. It’s portable, reusable, and perfect for parties and photo booths!

Supplies For Making a Free-Standing Stem

Instead of hanging your giant paper flowers on a wall or attaching them to a backdrop, perhaps you’d rather have them be a free-standing stem arrangement, which is great for photo ops or event decor. These giant paper flower stems are so easy to make—and no drills or fancy tools are necessary! 

My favorite method for creating a free-standing stem is using cement for the base and PVC tubing for the stem. Here are the best essential supplies I’ve found for creating a sturdy, free-standing stem.

Supplies for the Cement Base

For the cement base supplies, I recommend a quick-dry cement that will provide a strong support for the stem. You’ll want to have a bucket and spade (from your hardware store) for mixing as well as plastic planter molds (from the garden center at the same store), and spray paint in your choice of color (I like moss green). Also needed are 12 36-inch garden stakes, metal stakes, or wood dowels (I like to use 3 per stand), and optionally, a spare tall cardboard box.

Supplies for the PVC Stem

Supplies for the stem include a flexible PVC tube/pipe, crepe paper in green (or your choice color) to wrap the stem (PVC tube), and green painters tape to cover the 4-6 inch foam balls once they’re cut in half. A box cutter is optional.

Supplies for Attaching and Detaching the Flower

Lastly, to attach the flower to the stem, use a hot glue gun, and if you want to make the head of your flower detachable, you’ll want to use magnets (my preference), or optionally, velcro. By making the flower heads detachable, you can switch out the flowers for various occasions, creating a reusable and customizable display. A great option for event decorators!

Paper Flower Supplies – Arrangements and Bouquets

In addition to the supplies above, there are some other items that you may want for creating paper flower arrangements, bouquets, corsages, etc.

Styling for Personal Wear

Pins: Pins are important when it comes to creating corsages and boutonnieres. To pin a boutonniere on lapels, I like to use straight pins like these here.

If you’re working with a corsage, you may want the option of a flat back pin that can be glued onto the back of your flowers and pinned directly onto a dress.

Slap Bands: Okay, I know half of you are thinking, did she just say slap bands? Yes, slap bands – that’s not a typo.

Slap bands work amazingly well for wrist corsages! This idea came to me when I was playing around with slap bands to hold my vinyl rolls together (an extra bonus idea for you).

You can find inexpensive slap bands that can be wrapped in ribbon to dress them up and then glue your flowers right on top.

Ribbon: Where there are paper flowers, there is ribbon! I LOVE to play with ribbon in my pictures and arrangements. I have one favorite source, Anastasia Marie Shop, for specialty ribbons that really stand out.

Styling Bouquets and Arrangements

Foam Ball: We touched on foam and cotton spun balls above, but you also may need larger foam balls when building a bouquet. I like to use an 8-10 inch foam ball for my bouquets, but I have gone up to 12-inch options for a bigger look. I always cut my foam balls in half for a more natural look.

In addition to foam balls, you may also want foam circles to stack inside vases or planters. This will help you arrange stems with support.

Wreath Base: Creating wreaths with paper flowers is really fun. There are some different options for bases to build upon. The first option I like to use is a foam circle base.

As an alternative, you can also use a natural vine wreath or even embroidery hoops.

Vases: If you’re building arrangements, you’ll need vases. Vases can be found at home goods stores and craft stores, but I also love and have bought several of these minimalist vases. Etsy also has some amazing vase options as well.

Vase Fillers and Vase Rocks: Vase fillers and vase rocks help your flowers stay stable and upright in your arrangements. Fillers can get expensive, but I have found a few cheap alternatives.

First, when you need to just fill space, I recommend using foam beads (the kind you use for homemade slime) as vase fillers. This is a very economical option. You can also use some stone fillers.

Other decorative items that are fun to include as natural alternatives to a wreath or vase are rattan baskets, moss, and brown butcher paper. Floral wrapping paper works well for holding the shape of your arrangement and also comes in a variety of vibrant colors! Mixing up how you display your flowers in these ways can add a warm, organic touch to your creations.

For more help with floral arrangements, check out my cascading paper flower bouquet tutorial and my holiday table arrangement design.