How to Make Giant Paper Flowers – Step by Step Tutorial
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How to Make Giant Paper Flowers
This Giant Paper Flower Tutorial is our easiest step by step beginner’s tutorial.
The instructions I’m teaching you today is basically an updated version of the “Easy Method when DIY-ing any Giant Flower” post that made our blog so popular! This method I am teaching you below is wonderful because it is a simple method that can be applied to successfully create any giant flower template, no matter the petal shape.
Giant flower are great to use at any event from weddings, to baby showers to even home decor! And a lot of people want to know how to to this for themselves to customize it just like they want.
Supplies:
- Flower templates (sign up below to receive this one for FREE! Or shop all my signature templates here!)
- Glue gun
- Scissors or Cricut machine
- 176 gram weighted/65lb Card stock
- Wooden dowel
- 3 inch circle punch
- Patience
- Update: I made this Petal Curling Variation video for more unique ways to make your flowers!
Get this template for FREE HERE! Click the pink button below!
Getting Started
I am using my Priscilla style flower template in this tutorial, which I am providing for free to you when you sign up above!
If you prefer something different don’t worry I have over 50 different giant flower templates! Files are all compatible with cutting machines and easy to use for those who want to hand cut instead, which is the method I will be using here.
For hand cut method- You will need to print out the templates from your computer onto a heavy card stock cut the templates once and use these to trace over the card stock you will use to actually build the flowers from.
Step 1
Begin by laying you template on your card stock of choice and trace your petals.
Largest base petal– 6-8 cuts
2nd layer– 6-7 cuts
3rd layer– 6 cuts
4th layer– 5-6 cuts
If you are using a machine skip down to step 3.
Cutting machine measurements in inches
- Extra large 7.5 x 10.5
- Large 5.5 x 8.5
- Medium 4.5 x 5.5
- Small 3.5 x 4.5
- Extra Small 3 x 4
Step 2
Cut all your petals out once you have finished tracing.
You can make this process quicker by stacking 2-3 sheets on top of one another and cutting several out at once. Use binder clips to help keep paper from moving
Step 3
Now you want to cut slits at the bottom
center of each petal, about an inch, slightly less on the smaller petals.
Step 4
Now to start building the giant paper flower begin with the 1st layer, put glue on the inside edge and over lap the slit, but not too much or your petals will be too tight when assembled to get all the smaller layers in. Do this with all the petals. You can over lap a little more on the 3rd & 4th layer.
Step 5
Next you will curl all the petals back. You can do this by hand or use a thick wood dowel or a fat pencil works too.
Step 6
Assembly time. Starting with your 1st layer base petals, you want to add some glue to the outer edge of one petal and precede to over lap another petal at about a 45` angel and press firmly for a second or two.
Continue in this fashion until all the base petals meet together forming a circle in the center of the flower. Watch the angel of placement as you go around making sure you leave enough room for the petals to come together evenly at the end of the circle.
Step 7
Use a circle punch or cut out a small square if you don’t have one to glue over the open bottom.
Step 8
Start the 2nd layer of petals alternating between the base petals as shown above
Step 9
Continue alternating petals adding the 3rd layer.
Step 10
Continue alternating petals adding the 4th layer.
Step 11
Add in your extra small 5th layer of petals.
Pompom center
To create the rolled center fold a piece of card stock in half length wise, cut the paper down the middle. Lay the 2 pieces on top one another and fold in half again.
Step 12
Begin cutting slits all the way down the paper.
Separate the two pieces after you are through cutting all the slits.
Step 13
Open the fringe piece up, flip inside out and glue the open ends together.
Step 14
Starting rolling the first piece adding glue along the edge as you go.
Optional—you can use the dowel to make the rolling easier.
Step 15
After you finish rolling up the first piece continue by adding on the next one.
Step 16
Glue the center in and admire you pretty flower!
Keep reading below to learn how to make a giant leaf!
Giant Paper Leaf
Step 1
Use your leaf template to trace onto card stock like we did with the petals.
Step 2
Fold your leaf in half.
Step 3
Begin folding back and forth like you were making a paper fan.
Step 4
Open the leaf up and add it to your pretty flower.
Step 5
Give yourself a pat on the back for being so smart and learning to make your own DIY giant flowers!
View Priscilla flower video tutorial here
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. 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 and instruction on how to make paper flowers.
Feeling overwhelmed? Start here with my tried and true Resource List!
Thanks for letting me pop into your day!
Don’t forget to pin for later!
Marvellous
Hi i was wondering if you could supply us with the website that you order your paper from?
Hi Rosie, I buy all my paper from Michael’s craft store. 🙂
Hi…I noticed you using a tool in one of your video’s (Daisy? Dahlia?) that helps you to curve your flower layers. It has 2 rounded ends of different size.
What is it called and where can I get it?
Beautiful creations, BTW, thanks for sharing your talent
I use my Paper Blooms shaping mat and tool kit. Find it here: http://catchingcolorflies.com/paper-blooms-shaping-mat-rolling-tool-kit/
Hi Abbi-
What size paper do you use to get the largest petals?
Thank you-
Katie
I use 8.5 x 11 cardstock for all my flowers.
I signed up but did not receive my free flower template. Hopefully in svg format. Thank you.
You will need to confirm your email and then a box will pop up to access it. Check your spam and promo folder for the email confirmation.
Should I buy 8 1/2″ or 12″ cardstock for XL flowers?
All my templates work with 8.5 x 11 cardstock. But you can always use 12 x 12 if you like.
Hello, what are all of the measurements of each layer (petal) for cutting on the Cricut machine? Thank you!
Hi, The measurements can be found in the description of the Youtube video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diKqBpUVL6I
I made a flower last night. I love it!
I can’t wait to make more now that I know
What I’m doing, lol
Yay! So happy I could help!
Hello the scissors that you use to cut for the center of the flower where can I get it.
Thank you
Hi Valeria! Those are fringe scissors. You can find them here: https://amzn.to/2O8eeOr
Can we buy the already made from you?
Unfortunately, due to my schedule, I am not selling pre-made flowers at this time. 🙂
WOWSA!! This is great thank you so so much for sharing this. Have been wanting to make these forever. Blessings
Oh … you’re so clever. I love it. I want to ask that do you sell these products? If yes, where can I buy it? Thanks you!
I sell the templates here – https://catchingcolorflies.com/