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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.

Continued on Next Page

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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.