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Small Ruffle Dahlia Paper Flower: Template and Tutorial

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A collage of paper ruffle dahlia flowers made from different shades of pink and purple paper. Text across the image reads, "The Art of Dahlia Flowers: Templates & Tutorials."

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!

A pink ruffle-style paper dahlia flower sits on a wooden surface next to a white card that says "hello" in gold print and a string of pearls.

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! 

Supplies for the Small Ruffle Dahlia Paper Flower Craft

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

In a screenshot from a ruffle paper dahlia tutorial, Abbi applies pink distress ink to the center of different size paper dahlia petals. She’s working on an orange crafting surface with supplies spread out.

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.

In this video screenshot, Abbi uses a wooden dowl to curl the paper petals of a ruffled dahlia flower. Unrolled petal layers lay on the work surface below her hands.

 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.
Abbi Kirsten uses a shaping tool to create a concave indent in the center of the petal layer. This action makes the paper petals curl to the center, creating a more realistic bloom.

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.

Abbi Kirsten assembles the ruffled dahlia paper flower by gluing petal layers onto each other. Other petal layers, a hot glue gun, and finished paper flowers also lay on the table.
  • 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!

Abbi Kirsten's hands gently cradle a finished ruffled dahlia paper flower on a tan table.
A closeup image of a pink ruffle Dahlia paper flower with thin yellow edges around the paper petals.
A pink paper Dahlia flower sits next to a small white trinket dish with the word "hello" painted in gold.
Small Ruffle Dahlia Paper Flower

Small Ruffle Dahlia Paper Flower

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

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!

Instructions

  1. Gather Your Supplies: Get everything you need together and be sure to have clean workspace, too!
  2. Cut Out Your Petal Layers: Using your Cricut machine or scissors, cut out each petal layer.
  3. 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.
  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.
  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.

Did you make this project?

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

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

Three ruffle dahlia flowers sit on a large green paper leaf. The paper dahlia flowers are pink, purple, and coral colors.

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!

A bouquet of paper Dahlia flowers in shades of pink, light blue, and marigold.

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!

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