How To Make Paper Roses

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, I thought I'd post a flower making tutorial early. What is better than a dozen roses sent from that special someone on V-day? I'll tell you. It's a dozen handmade roses that seem extra special to me. If you'd like to surprise someone with these handmade roses, then you've come to the right place cause I can show you how to make them quickly.

First thing's first. You're going to need a template for the flowers, not only to save time, but frustration as well because the first template can seem tedious. Once you get it done, it's smooth sailing from there. I will list the steps in making the template below. Don't be intimidated at first sight because the design seems complex.

Step 1 - You will need some cardstock for the template because of it's sturdiness. Next, you will need a large coffee can to trace a circle. Though a coffee can works best for this craft, you can use something else that is near the same circumference.

Step 2 - Now, you need something that is about one inch less in diameter as the coffee can, or other can, you used in step one. Trace another circle inside the first one except align it to the left like the picture shows.
Step 3 - Now, you are going to do a repeat and draw another circle inside the circle from step 2. Again, use something with a one inch less diameter than the circle from step 2. Now, that circle is going to be aligned right. Step 4 - Now, begin where the first two circles meet and start to draw semicircles all the way around leaving a 3 inch gap between the spot where you started and the end.
Step 5 - Ok. Now you are going to do the same thing again but this time you are going to start where you started drawing the semicircles and then continuing onto the second circle. Use the picture below.
Step 6 - Repeat step 5 until you reach the end. Stop at about an inch and a half away from where the second and last circle meet.End with a small circle in the middle.
Step 7 - Make a tail 4 in. long and 1 1/2 in. wide. This is going to be the inside of the rose. Refer to the picture below.
Step 8 - Cut out the template along the outer petals.


Step 9 - Continue to cut along the petals until you get to the middle where you will then cut a hole for the stem.

How to make the paper roses

You will need these items:
>Colored paper
>Pipe cleaners
>Glue
>Tape

1) Trace the pattern on the colored paper and cut it out like you did for the template. Now, by using the curling technique, slightly curl the cut out pattern by placing it between your thumb and a ruler. This is similar to when you curl ribbons using scissors. Pictures are below to show what I mean. This helps with forming the rose into a cup shape.

Before



After


2) Now take a pipe cleaner and begin to roll it around the tail of the pattern, gluing spots along the way to hold it's shape. When you get to the end, wrap the rest around and glue or tape it into place. Now you are finished! you can add some leaves to the stem or put them in a vase as is. Tip: I used glitter for some and it really emphasizes the color of the rose. Be sure to use the same color glitter as the paper for a translucent look.


-Mr. Crafty