Small Ruffle Dahlia Paper Flower: Template and Tutorial
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Hello to my awesome readers! Whether this is your first visit to my site or you are a returning crafter, you have probably figured out how much I love paper flowers. I’ve designed and made so many paper blooms that I could plant an entire field of faux flowers! One of my favorite blooms is the dahlia because they are fun to create and have variations that make each project unique.
In this post, you will learn how to make small ruffle dahlia paper flowers. These are easy, beautiful, and full, making them a great addition to any bouquet or wall decoration. Check out how simple they are to create in this paper dahlia flower tutorial!
A Little Bit About Dahlias
Natural dahlia tubers produce a range of flowers in bright colors that come in many sizes, ranging from small petal “pompoms” to giant dahlia “dinner plates.” Dahlia petals can be round or a bit jagged. Dahlia plants are resplendent flowers associated with elegance, strength of character, dignity, creativity, and spiritual growth. These flowers are often given as gifts for special occasions like birthdays or anniversaries. Because dahlias represent an eternal bond, they make excellent wedding flower arrangements.
Introducing The Small Ruffle Dahlia Paper Flower!
Ruffled dahlias have striking small petals that are darker on the fringed edges, making them prized by gardeners for their unique aesthetic appeal and ability to add drama and flair to floral arrangements. I first created a dahlia a few months into designing flowers when I started years ago, because these flowers are so lovely and popular.
Are you looking for something bigger? Check out some of my giant flower templates!Â
Supplies for the Small Ruffle Dahlia Paper Flower Craft
- Cricut or other cutting machine
- Scissors (if you are not using a cutting machine)
- Hot glue gun
- Glue sticks
- 65-pound cardstock
- Wood dowel or pencil to curl petals
- Distress Ink (optional)
- Distress Ink brush (optional)
- Paper Blooms Shaping Mat & Rolling Tools (optional)
- Ruffle Dahlia Paper Flower Template (SVG cut files and printable PDF included!)  Â
How To Make a Ruffle Dahlia Paper Flower
You can follow along with the written instructions or watch the full-length video below!
Video Tutorial for the Ruffle Paper Dahlia
Are you looking for more “How To” craft videos? Check out my YouTube channel!
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
Get everything you need together and be sure to have clean workspace, too!
Step 2: Cut Out Your Petal Layers
Using your Cricut machine or scissors, cut out each petal layer. You will need two sizes of each:
- 4 large petal layers
- 3 small petal layers
Step 3: Add Color
Choose a color darker than your flower cardstock. The darker color makes the blooms more realistic and adds depth and charm.
- Add the color to the center of each petal layer, dragging some color up from the center to the bottom of each petal.
- Hold the petal layer vertically and add color to the edges of each petal to create a thin border.
Step 4: Shaping
Each petal needs to be shaped to resemble living dahlia petals. Using a wood dowel or pencil, you will roll each petal using the long end.
Large petals are curled in the following way:
- Large petal layers 1 & 2: Roll tightly with the ink or color facing upwards.
- Large petal layers 3 & 4: Flip the petals over so the ink faces downward and then roll tightly so the petals are curled in the opposite direction of the first two layers.
Small petal layers are curled in an alternating pattern:
- One petal is rolled on the ink side, and the next is rolled on the non-ink side. Do this for all the small petal layers.
- Fluff the petals out slightly.
We need to make the petals stand up using our shaping tool.
- Place a large petal layer on the shaping mat, then press lightly and roll the colored center of each layer so the petals are drawn upward.
- Do this for all four large petal layers.
- Use your shaping tool in the center of each small petal layer so the petals are drawn up as done for the large layers.
Step 5: Assembling the Ruffle Dahlia Paper Flower
Begin with the large layers rolled with the ink side down.
- Glue these two opposite-rolled layers to each other and alternate the layers – don’t match petal to petal.
- Glue the remaining two large petal layers onto the other layers.
- Next, glue the three small petal layers onto the large layers. Scrunch the petals together to resemble a bud.
- Fluff as needed.
You did it! You made a beautiful ruffled dahlia bloom!
Small Ruffle Dahlia Paper Flower
These small ruffle paper dahlia flowers are delicate, pretty, and perfect for decor! Learn how to make these craft paper flowers with this easy-to-follow tutorial and my FREE templates!
Materials
- Cricut or other cutting machine
- Scissors (if you are not using a cutting machine)
- Hot glue gun
- Glue sticks
- 65-pound cardstock
- Wood dowel or pencil to curl petals
- Distress Ink (optional)
- Distress Ink brush (optional)
- Paper Blooms Shaping Mat & Rolling Tools (optional)
- Ruffle Dahlia Paper Flower Template
Instructions
- Gather Your Supplies: Get everything you need together and be sure to have clean workspace, too!
- Cut Out Your Petal Layers: Using your Cricut machine or scissors, cut out each petal layer.
- Add Color: Add the color to the center of each petal layer, dragging some color up from the center to the bottom of each petal.
- Shaping: Each petal needs to be shaped to resemble living dahlia petals. Using a wood dowel or pencil, you will roll each petal using the long end.
- Assembling the Ruffle Dahlia Paper Flower: Begin with the large layers rolled with the ink side down. Glue these two opposite-rolled layers to each other and alternate the layers – don't match petal to petal. Glue the remaining two large petal layers onto the other layers. Next, glue the three small petal layers onto the large layers. Scrunch the petals together to resemble a bud.
Even More Paper Dahlias!
If you want to craft other types of paper dahlias, I’ve got you covered. Besides my small ruffle dahlia paper flower, I also have
- Giant Dahlias
- Autumn Sunburst Dahlias
- Small Paper Dahlias
- Pearl Center Dahlias
- Red, White And Blue Dahlia Wreath
Templates are for personal use. Please do not resell the designs as your own. Thanks!
Interested In Freebies?
In addition to a blooming shop of flower templates, I have many fun freebies in the Freebie Vault! Inside you will find free templates, SVGs, printables, and more!
About Abbi Kirsten
Welcome to my colorful corner of the internet, where we play with vibrant crafts and unlock your creative magic! Hang out with me and get lost in a fun array of projects, tutorials, and products, from stunning papercraft ideas to flower templates, Cricut help for beginners, and endless crafter’s hacks.
Join the Member Vault and participate in my monthly Craft-Alongs in my Facebook group to access all the magic!