Make Paper Flowers – Easy DIY Tutorial

What Kind of Paper Should You Use?

Before you get too excited and start cutting, let’s talk about what kind of paper actually works best. You can make paper flowers from just about anything: card stock, tissue paper, crepe paper, or even coffee filters if you’re in a pinch. Each one has its charm. Coffee filters, for instance, are perfect for delicate, almost translucent petals. Tissue paper gives you vibrant colours and a soft, romantic look. Card stock is sturdier, great for large paper flowers that can stand on their own.

If you’re feeling experimental, grab a few sheets of each and see what you like. The trick is not to overthink it—use what you have and go from there. Sometimes the best flowers come from a random pile of leftover wrapping paper or even an old paper bag, which can look surprisingly chic.

The Easiest Way to Start

The easiest way to make paper flowers is to find a video tutorial that appeals to you and follow along. There are endless paper flower tutorials online, from beginner-friendly daisies to giant wedding-worthy roses. TikTok in particular is a goldmine of ideas, but be warned—it’s also a dangerous rabbit hole of inspiration that might have you making paper hydrangeas at 2 a.m. Here’s one of my favourites for doing just that:

@mystic_reflection Paper hydrangea | Thank you, @A S O L Â T for this stunning hydrangea tutorial. Your artistry turns simple paper into forever blooms. ✨ #PaperFloralMagic#paperhydrangea #paperflower #aesthetics #handmad #diy #tiktokviral #diycrafts #paperflower #foryou #papercraft #diy ♬ original sound – Gulgulaan

If you’re new to this, start with something small and manageable. There are loads of free paper flower templates available to download online My own particular favourites are:

This Dahlia paper flower template bundle from Fancy Bloom

How to Make Paper Flowers – Step by Step Instructions

Materials Needed:

• Paper (tissue, card stock, or coffee filters—your choice)
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Hot glue gun or craft glue
• Green craft paper
• Masking tape
• Floral wire or wooden skewers (optional for stems)
• A small circle of cardstock for the base

Step Instructions:

1. Choose and cut your petals: Use your printable templates or sketch your own petal shapes. Start simple—teardrop or heart shapes work best. You’ll need at least six to eight petals for a full flower.
2. Shape the petals: Curl the edges using a pencil or your fingers. A little bit of unevenness actually makes them look more realistic.
3. Form the centre: Take one small strip of paper or a rolled-up coffee filter and glue it in the middle of your small circle. This becomes your flower’s heart.
4. Glue the petals: Attach each petal around the centre using hot glue. Overlap them slightly to create a natural swirl—almost like swirly patterns you’d find in real petals.
5. Add layers: For a fuller look, make a few layers of petals, each slightly larger than the last. The outer petals should flare out a bit more.
6. Make the stem: Wrap floral wire or a skewer in green craft paper, securing it with masking tape. Attach it to the base of your flower with a dab of glue.
7. Finishing touches: Add leaves cut from green paper or dust the edges of the petals with a bit of pastel or paint for extra dimension.

Go big

If you’re the kind of person who likes to really throw yourself in, consider making the largest flowers you can. Large paper flowers are fantastic for baby showers, weddings, or photo backdrops. You can find oversized free paper flower templates online—many of which include cut files for your cutting machine, so you don’t have to spend an hour tracing and trimming by hand.

A little tip: many craft stores have great deals on card stock if you buy it in bulk, so stock up there if you plan to make a wall full of blooms. Mix and match vibrant colours like coral, fuchsia, and turquoise for a cheerful summer vibe, or stick with pastels for something soft and romantic.

Making Paper Flowers Feel Real

One of the most satisfying parts of making paper flowers is that you can customise every single detail. Want tulips in October? No problem. Dreaming of giant blush roses in February? Go for it. The beauty of diy paper flowers is that you control everything—from size and shape to colour and texture.

And here’s the thing: perfection is overrated. Real flowers aren’t perfect either. If your petals end up a little lopsided or your glue lines show, embrace it. The imperfections give your creations character, and honestly, they’ll still look stunning once grouped together in a vase or hung on a wall.

Tips for Beginners

• Work in batches. Cut all your petals first, then assemble. It saves time and sanity.
• Test your glue. Hot glue works best for heavier paper, while tacky craft glue is fine for tissue.
• Layer colours. Use different shades of the same hue to create depth.
• Use your templates wisely. Once you’ve got a few printable templates you like, resize them to make a mix of big and small blooms.
• Don’t rush. TikTok might make it look like a thirty-second job, but give yourself time. Crafting is meant to be slow, calm and enjoyable, not a stressful rush.

Wrapping It All Up

Learning how to make paper flowers is one of those projects that’s equal parts relaxing and rewarding. You can start small—with a single coffee-filter rose—and end up creating a full floral wall if the crafting bug bites hard enough. And, most likely, it will.

These handmade blooms make thoughtful gifts, stunning décor, and offer the perfect creative outlet. Whether you’re planning decorations for baby showers, crafting centrepieces, or simply looking for a creative outlet, making paper flowers with such simple materials is a project that brings instant joy.

So grab your scissors, plug in your glue gun, and embrace the chaos. Your first few attempts might look like a bit bedraggled, but before long, you’ll be making blooms so gorgeous that you could make a video tutorial ready to share with your own TikTok followers.

The best kind of DIY isn’t about perfection—it’s about play, patience, and the sheer joy of creating something beautiful from nothing but paper. For me, it’s also a little bit about reconnecting with my 1970s paper flower-filled bedroom, where big and blousy handmade crepe paper blooms fought for attention with Davids Cassidy and Essex.