Paper flowers are flower-like shapes made from tissue and crepe papers. Both papers are very thin and lightweight, but crepe paper has an extra textured coating. Tissue paper is often used when wrapping gifts, often as the filler paper seen at the top of gift bags. Crepe, or crape, paper is often sold in rolls and used as party decorations, or streamers, hung on walls. Many different kinds of paper flowers can be created using tissue and crepe papers.
The best way to make paper flowers is to look at real blooms — either at actual ones or in photographs. Petal shapes can then be cut out of tissue or crepe paper. The centers, stems, and leaves may also be be made from rolled or shaped papers. Alternatively, silk floral supplies could be used to complete a paper flower.
There are many different paper flower instruction booklets sold in craft shops. They include directions for creating carnations by folding tissue or crepe paper, then making many small cuts in it with scissors to form loops. After the tips of the loops are cut, petals similar to those of carnations are formed. Roses are also popular paper flowers to make. Rose tissue paper flowers are made with a soft technique using cut out, softly folded petals that are wrapped loosely around each other in a rose-like fashion.
Floral tape may be used to hold paper flower petals together; if color matched, it's much less noticeable than other tapes. Paper flower supplies are usually quite inexpensive, so it's a good idea for crafters to experiment with different floral looks before making many flowers. After some experience, a crafter can usually create more sophisticated paper flowers by using different shades of one color of tissue or crepe paper for each blossom.
Thinking creatively can result in beautiful paper flowers suitable for decorations for special occasions such as parties or weddings. For example, once smaller paper roses are mastered, a crafter may feel comfortable using large sheets of tissue paper to create larger petals. The large paper rose petals can then be wrapped together to make eye-catching flowers for church pews or to attach to the sides of tables at a reception.
For an allergy-free hospital gift to cheer up a patient, paper flowers inside a cheerfully painted terra cotta pot can be created quickly and easily. Craft store fabric butterflies on stems or picks can be added for extra whimsy and appeal. A little painted wooden plant stake sign that reads "Get Well Soon" can finish off the paper flower hospital present.