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HOW TO MAKE A TISSUE PAPER FLOWER
These instructions on how to make flowers out of tissue paper are written for fathers ages 30-45.
Although you may have had previous bad experiences with instructions, please stick with me—these
instructions are made specifically to be as easy as possible for you. Each large step is separated on
its own page or pages, with all of the smaller steps needed to complete that larger step included with
photos in that section.
If you have little experience with crafts, to ensure you make the best flower possible, please read
through these instructions once in their entirety and again as you complete each stage in the process.
If you have done this craft before, please still read through these instructions throughout the
process. These instructions contain tricks and tips to make your process easier that you may be
unfamiliar with.
This quick, simple, money-saving craft is not only easy and safe to complete with your children but
also does not involve any messy or dangerous products and requires little preparation or clean-up.
While roses you buy in the store will eventually die, this beautiful craft can be a gorgeous gift that will
last forever.
GATHER YOUR MATERIALS
8 sheets of 13” x 10” tissue paper per flower
o Change size but keep to 4:3 inch ratio depending on the size of the flower you
want to make. If this is your first time, use 13” x 10” for simplicity.
o Choose all the same color or rotate different colors.
1 pipe cleaner per flower (not needed until page 4)
o Preferably green like a flower stem, but any color works.
Flat Workspace
Before starting, clear yourself a workspace on a flat surface large enough to comfortably
place your stack of tissue paper.
PREPARATION: 5 minutes
Cut 8 sheets of 13” x 10” tissue
paper per flower
CRAFT TIME: 10-20 minutes
Depends on prior experience
CLEAN-UP: 2 minutes
Put away any extra materials.
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FOLD THE TISSUE PAPER
TIP Ever make a paper fan? You are completing the same folding process in this section.
1. Lay the tissue paper in a neat stack on top of
one another in front of you with the shorter side facing you. Try to make all ends meet, but
perfectly even stacks are not required.
2. Grab the end closest to you and fold it up about one inch. Exact measurements are not
needed; just keep all future folds about the same size.
3. While holding onto that fold, flip the paper over so that the fold is now face down at the top of the tissue paper pile.
4. Fold the top of the tissue paper backwards about one inch so the entire original fold is once again visible on top of the paper pile.
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5. Flip the paper back over so that both folds are
face down at the bottom of the paper.
6. Repeat steps 2-5, repeatedly folding another inch of the paper, until the entire paper is folded into a one inch strip. You should end up
repeating the steps about 5-6 times, depending on how close your folds are to one inch.
EXTRA HELP
Did you end up with less than an inch of paper for the last fold? Don’t worry about it, just fold it under the stack like you did for each previous fold.
HISTORY
History of the Tissue Paper Flower
The tissue paper flower craft originated in China and made its way across the Pacific Ocean to Mexico and Latin America. Tissue paper flowers became the choice craft for Christian and
holiday decorations because they seemed more delicate and natural than other materials. The craft has become a traditional
part of celebrating various holidays in Mexico and Latin America, particularly Cinco de Mayo. They are also used today as decorations at weddings across the globe.
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ATTACH PIPE CLEANER
1. Fold stack in half so shorter edges meet to create a crease in the middle of
the folded paper.
2. Bend the pipe cleaner so about two inches of the pipe cleaner “hangs” over
one side of the paper at the crease.
3. Twist the shorter end of the pipe cleaner around the longer portion of the pipe cleaner
until the pipe cleaner has secured the middle of the paper.
TIP Sometimes it is easier to wrap a piece of clear tape around the crease you will
create in the middle of the paper. The pipe cleaner can be attached after you fasten the tape or, if you choose to use the tape, not at all.
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CREATE PETALS
WARNING
This section requires a delicate separation of the tissue paper. If one or two pieces of tissue paper rip in the process, don’t worry; the amount of tissue
paper used will hide the torn paper. If more than a few pieces of tissue paper tear, you will need to start over with new tissue paper.
1. Pull the two ends towards one another so the paper fans out. The sides do not need to
touch or be as close as in the images below, but spreading the paper out as much as possible
makes future steps easier.
TIP
To more easily select individual pieces of tissue paper, try moistening your
fingers first. To help prevent ripping, hold down other pieces of tissue paper below the layer
you are trying to separate. This should make separation easier.
2. Gently select the first layer of tissue
paper from either side of the flower.
3. Gently pull that piece up towards the
center until it is standing alone, almost straight up in the air, entirely separated
from the other pieces of tissue paper below it.
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TIP To help with your finished product, try pulling each layer up as close as
possible to the middle. While each layer needs to be distinct, the final layers need
to end up close together to look like the petals of a flower.
4. Repeat steps 2-3 for the first layer of
tissue paper on the opposite side of the
flower. Be careful to not tear the sheets.
5. Repeat steps 2-4 for each layer after the
first layer until all layers are distinctly
separate.
If working with your children on this step, make sure to remind
them that it is not a race. The goal is to create a pretty flower, not to be the first one done. Taking more time will make tearing less
likely and will make the final product look more like a flower.
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FINAL TOUCHES
1. Gently pull the edges of the tissue paper so they seem to overlap with their counterpart on both sides so there are no visible gaps between the two edges of the tissue paper. The
center sheet’s edges should overlap with the other center sheet’s edges and so on for all other
sheets. The outer pieces of tissue paper may still not touch.
2. Gently pull and adjust the tissue paper to make it look more flower like. Cupping the tissue
paper to try to create a circle near the edges might help.
3. Put away any extra materials you may have gathered from getting your supplies ready.
EXTRA HELP
Did a few sheets of tissue paper tear? Don’t worry, the other
tissue paper will hide the torn sheets. Did a lot of the tissue paper tear? Unfortunately, you will
need to start over with new tissue paper. You can remove and
reuse your pipe cleaner from this attempt.
Everyone’s flower will be unique, but that doesn’t make anyone’s flower any less special than anyone else’s.
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What Can I Do with My Flower?
Tissue Paper Flowers can make great:
- Mother’s Day presents - Valentine’s Day presents - Simple crafts to do as a family
- Classroom party decorations - Holiday decorations
Making Craft with Children
This is a simple craft to make with your children or to teach your children how to make. When
working with small children:
- Cut the tissue paper into appropriate sizes
ahead of time - Help child separate pieces of tissue paper
to avoid tearing - Watch out for paper cuts
Similar Alternative Crafts
Tissue Paper Balls: Use twice as much tissue
paper and no pipe cleaner. . Rather than pulling all pieces of tissue paper up in the same
direction, alternately pull some sheets down and some up until tissue paper is separated both ways.
Bouquet of Flowers: Make 4+ tissue paper
flowers and twist pipe cleaners together to connect stems.
Wreath of Flowers: Make 8-12 flowers and twist
pipe cleaners together to keep flowers connected.
Get Creative: Use a pipe cleaner to add a leaf to
your stem, try dipping paper into food coloring or using glitter to create different patterns.