How to Make Tissue Paper Flowers

This tissue paper craft idea is quick, inexpensive, and simple to create. It doesn't cost a lot of money to make and the flowers can be used for multiple purposes. You can even get the kids to help and turn the craft project into a Mother's day gift. Or make the project more elaborate and use the flowers in a wedding bouquet or bridal party centerpiece. They also make inexpensive decorative pieces when wrapping gifts. Just attach a bud to the outside of the package after wrapping it.

All you need is some tissue or crepe paper (in the colors of your choice), scissors, ruler, and pipe cleaners or twist ties.

The first step is to decide on what color of paper to use. If the goal is to create a table centerpiece for a bridal shower or wedding party, let the bride pick the colors and then use variations of those shades. If you are letting the kids help make a homemade gift for Mother's Day, then go crazy and use a lot of bright hues. You can even mix and match shades of paper within each blossom.

The next step is to cut the tissue paper into pieces of the same shape and dimension. 3 x 5 is the size I used in the photo illustration. 8.5 x 11 will make a nice sized flower for decorating packages. I prefer to cut mine into 3 x 5, 4 x 6, or 5 x 7 sizes when making bouquets for Mother's Day with the kids. I also like the 3 x 5 or 4 x 6 dimensions for wedding table or bridal party centerpieces because the bloom size is dainty and petite. But it's up to you, just experiment and see what you come up with.

Cut at least 6 pieces of tissue paper to use per flower, using more pieces for larger or fuller blooms. The more pieces used, the fuller the blossom will be. Stack each piece of tissue paper on top of each other and fold them into an accordion shape. Make the folds small and close together so the finished bloom will have a nice textured look. For a more elegant look, cut around each end of the accordion fold and round the edges or make them into a pointed shape.

To finish the petals, wrap a piece of green pipe cleaner or twist tie around the middle of the accordion shape to hold the pieces together. Then slowly and gently begin to separate each sheet of tissue paper, pulling the sections gently up towards the center. Go slowly and be gentle so the tissue doesn't tear. Continue pulling and separating until each layer is complete. The layers will create the petals of the flowers.

Make as many blooms as needed for whatever purpose you're going to use them for. They can be bundled together as a bouquet in a vase or left as single buds with ribbon or lace tied around them.

This tissue paper flower craft project can be simple and fun for the kids to make a homemade Mother's Day gift. Or it can be an inexpensive table centerpiece for a bridal shower or wedding party.

I also made a video illustration of how to make this craft project and uploaded it to Youtube. Click here to watch the video.