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Giant Swirl American Flag Paper Flowers Tutorial

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An overhead view of a bunch of flowers with red petals, white petals, and blue with white stars petals. These giant American flag paper swirl flowers will be the highlight of any picnic table during a 4th of July celebration.

Summertime is a great season to get crafty. With July 4th right in the middle of summer, it’s the perfect holiday to add some patriotic crafts to the list, like making some red, white, and blue American flag paper flowers – with a swirl!

Making paper flowers is one of my most beloved crafts, so naturally, when a follower of mine requested an American flag paper flower, I was happy to accept the challenge. Last year, our paper star luminaires were a favorite, and I think these star-spangled swirled American flag flowers will be a new favorite, too.

What I love most about this flower is the spiral effect you can create with the colors.  I first created this technique with my Unicorn Rainbow Paper Flowers. You can apply this swirled color technique to any petal shape in any color, giving you endless new styles to make paper flowers for any occasion. Red roses, blue delphiniums…any petal type will work well with the giant swirl American flag paper flower template.

I’ve included a full supply list, a video tutorial, and written instructions. The flower template is available in the AKC Member Vault, and I’ve also added a link for the center pompom tutorial. You can use anything you want for the center of the flag paper flowers, but I think this pompom compliments the arrangement the best.


A finished giant swirled American flag paper flower. The red, white, and blue flower petals are swirled around a center pompom, with small white leaves for added foliage.

Supply List for American Flag Paper Flowers

Download The American Flag Paper Flower Templates

Member Vault (Best Value)

This American flag giant flower template is available inside the AKC Member Vault! You can log in below and find them by searching the keywords “American” or design #200.

If you aren’t a member yet, you will want to sign up for all our crafts here. There are currently hundreds of designs, such as paper flower templates, SVG cut files, and printables, plus a dozen new ones added each month! You will also get access to all other craft templates here on Abbi Kirsten as well!

Download The Templates In The Shop

While the Member Vault is the best value because you gain access to every template I’ve ever made, you can also pick up just this American flag flower template in the shop.

Pro-Tip: New to paper flowers? Be sure to check out my full mega paper flower supply list!

How to Make American Flag Paper Flowers

You will need to first cut out all your petals in specific colors if you wish to follow the red, white, and blue swirl pattern. You can hand-cut with the printable PDF files or use the SVG cut files with a cutting machine like Cricut. Both the PDF and SVG files are included with the template.

Three giant swirl American flag paper flowers with tan pompom centers and white leaves at the base sit beautifully on a gray wooden table.

American Flag Paper Flower: Video Tutorial

Once you get your petals cut out, watch the full video to learn how to assemble the American flag paper flowers, or keep reading for a picture and written tutorial.

Pro-Tip: If you love making paper flowers, be sure to check out all my paper flower tutorials!

American Flag Paper Flower: Step-by-Step Instructions

Nine pictures in a grid show the process of making giant American flag flowers, from cutting and shaping the red, white, and blue paper flower petals, to assembling the patriotic swirl pattern and adding the center pompom.

Before you begin any project, you must gather your supplies and ensure you have ample workspace. Make sure your glue gun is plugged in and ready to go.

Pro-Tip: If you would like to use the pompom center featured in the pictures, you can learn how to make one here!

Step 1:  Cut Out All the Petals And One Base

Using your Cricut machine or scissors and my templates, cut out the following number of petals:

  • 8 extra-large petals (3 white, 3 blue, 2 red)
  • 8 large petals (3 white, 3 blue, 2 red)
  • 8 medium petals (3 white, 3 blue, 2 red)
  • 16 small petals (6 blue, 6 white, 4 red)
  • 1 extra-large 8-sided base
The image shows giant paper flower petals in red white and blue for a july 4th paper flower decoration.

Pro-Tip: If you are new to Cricut, join my free Cricut workshop for beginners!

Step 2:  Cut Slits in Your Petals

  • Cut a 1 ½” to 2” slit at the bottom of all the petals.
  • Add some glue to one side of the slit.
  • Glue to the other side of the slit, slightly overlapping to create a more rounded petal bottom.
  • Do this with all the petals.

Step 3:  Curl Your Petals

Use the wooden dowel or a pencil to curl the two outer edges of the petals backward for dimension. Do this with all the petals.

Step 4: Adding the Extra-Large Petals to the Base

The eight-sided base is going to act as a guide for assembling the American flag paper flower.

The order of extra-large petals will be: red, white, red, white, blue, blue, blue, and white.

  • Glue the bottom backside of a red extra-large petal to one side of the 8-sided base.
  • Glue the bottom backside of a white extra-large petal next to and slightly overlapping the red petal. Be sure to keep going around the base in the same direction.
  • Repeat this process until all extra-large petals are glued to the base.
  • Tuck the final white petal’s edge under the first petal’s edge.

Step 5: Adding the Large Petals

Begin the next layer using the large petals. Lay your petals in between and over the petals of the last layer. Be sure to glue the back bottom side of each petal.

The order of large petals will be: blue, blue, blue, white, red, white, red, and white.

  • Place a large blue petal over 2 extra-large blue petals.
  • Glue the remainder of your large blue petals.
  • Glue the large white petal over the blue and white extra-large petals gap.
  • Continue alternating with your large red and white petals to create the swirl effect.
  • There will be a large white petal at the end. Tuck the final white petal’s edge under the first large petal’s edge.

Step 6: Adding the Medium Petals

The next layer will use the medium petals in the same manner as the prior two layers.

The order of medium petals will be: blue, blue, blue, white, red, white, red, and white.

  • Glue the medium petals the same way you have done the other layers by placing a blue medium petal over the gap of two large blue petals. You should see a swirl developing.
  • Tuck the final white petal’s edge under the first medium petal’s edge.

Step 7: Adding the Small Petals

The final layer uses small petals. Glue the small petals the same way you have done the other layers by placing a small blue petal over the gap of two medium blue petals. Note that you will be doing the small petal row twice.

The order of the small petals in row one and row two will be the same: blue, blue, blue, white, red, white, red, and white.

Step 8: Add the Pompom Center (Optional)

If you have chosen to make the pompom center, you can add it now.

Step 9: Add the Stars

There are two ways to create the stars for these patriotic red, white, and blue flowers. You can use the star shape included with your Cricut machine in Design Space and adhesive glitter vinyl, or you can purchase white star stickers from any craft shop. Either way, your American flag paper swirl flowers will look fantastic with the star additions.

Place your stars on the blue flower petals in any quantity and pattern you see fit. I created a few different star sizes to match the petal sizes and just adhered them randomly. Have fun with it!

A close up image of the giant swirled American flag paper flowers, and a group of red, white, and blue swirled paper flowers of various sizes, sitting on a gray crafting table. Text overlay reads “DIY American Flag Paper Flowers Template a Video Tutorial”

Additional Options:

  1. Make these swirled red, white, and blue American flag paper flowers in different sizes. You can make a large version by eliminating the extra-large petal layer. Two American flag flowers on either side of the extra-large (giant) flowers make a beautiful patriotic centerpiece for your Fourth of July table setting.
  2. Create a fun version using glitter. I used Raylan easy tack spray and then sprinkled some gold chunky glitter on the white petals before I built the flowers.
  3. Add your own flair too! You could make a display using the flowers as well as miniature American flags or red, white, and blue ribbons.

I hope you enjoyed this American flag paper flower swirl tutorial! These flowers are a great way to spread some patriotism on holidays like Independence Day or Memorial Day. They also make great gifts for people in the military and their families.

Giant American Flag Swirl Paper Flowers_ Easy Tutorial for Making Paper Flowers cover

Giant Swirl American Flag Paper Flowers

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

Celebrate July 4th with these giant swirled American flag paper flowers! Follow this easy step-by-step tutorial to make festive, Patriotic flowers that are perfect summer decorations for your home, a 4th of July party, and more.

Tools

Instructions

Step 1: Using your Cricut machine or scissors and my templates, cut out the following number of petals:

    • 8 extra-large petals (3 white, 3 blue, 2 red)
    • 8 large petals (3 white, 3 blue, 2 red)
    • 8 medium petals (3 white, 3 blue, 2 red)
    • 16 small petals (6 blue, 6 white, 4 red)
    • 1 extra-large 8-sided base


    Step 2: Cut Slits in Your Petals

    • Cut a 1 ½” to 2” slit at the bottom of all the petals.
    • Add some glue to one side of the slit
    • Glue to the other side of the slit, slightly overlapping to create a more rounded petal bottom.
    • Repeat with all petals.


    Step 3: Curl Your Petals

    Use the wooden dowel or a pencil to curl the two outer edges of the petals backward for dimension. Do this with all the petals.

    Step 4: Add the Extra-Large Petals

    • The order of extra-large petals will be: red, white, red, white, blue, blue, blue, white.
    • Glue the bottom backside of each petal to the base. Be sure to keep going around the base in the same direction.

    Step 5: Add the Large Petals

    • Lay your petals in-between and over the petals of the last layer. Be sure to glue the back bottom side of each petal.
    • The order of large petals will be: blue, blue, blue, white, red, white, red, white.

    Step 6: Add the Medium Petals

    • The next layer will use the medium petals in the same manner as the prior two layers.
    • The order of medium petals will be: blue, blue, blue, white, red, white, red, white.

    Step 7: Add the Small Petals

    • The final layer uses the small petals. Glue the small petals the same way you have done the other layers.
    • The order of the small petals in row one and row two will be the same: blue, blue, blue, white, red, white, red, white.

    Step 8: Add the Pompom Center (Optional)

    Step 9: Add the Stars

    • Use the star shape included with your Cricut machine in Design Space and adhesive glitter vinyl, or you can purchase white star stickers from any craft shop.
    • Place your stars on the blue flower petals in any quantity and pattern you see fit.

    Notes

    Additional Options:

    1. Make these swirled red, white, and blue American flag paper flowers in different sizes. You can make a large version by eliminating the extra-large petal layer. Two American flag flowers on either side of the extra-large (giant) flowers make a beautiful patriotic centerpiece for your Fourth of July table setting.
    2. Create a fun version using glitter. I used Raylan easy tack spray and then sprinkled some gold chunky glitter on the white petals before I built the flowers.
    3. Add your own flair too! You could make a display using the flowers as well as miniature American flags, or red, white, and blue ribbons.

    Did you make this project?

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

    Do you want to join my Facebook community to share your crafts and learn from the best? Click here to request access to my group, Crafters and Cricut Lovers.

    Wanna be a Cricut Master and learn to create your own craft design files like me?

    Abbi leans on her elbows, smiling in her craft room on a table of colorful supplies.

    Do you own a Cricut machine or want to own a Cricut but are intimidated when it comes to learning the equipment or even opening the box?!

    Are you are overwhelmed when you look at the Design Space software and feel lost with all the functions?

    Maybe you wish you could create your own design files rather than being forced to spend money on every design for each project you make.

    If that sounds like you, be sure to join me here in my FREE masterclass!

    Three giant American flag paper flowers with gold pompom centers, and a collage of nine images showing the step-by-step process of creating these red, white, and blue patriotic flowers. Text overlay reads “Star Spangled Swirl Paper Flowers Tutorial: SVG, DXF & PDF Printables”

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