DIY Project: Paper Bouquet

Many brides are opting for paper bouquets in lieu of traditional hand-picked flowers. Think they’re hard to make? They’re not. Check out our step by step guide here.

Materials:

• Tissue paper (in similar colors)                                      $.99 pack of 10 sheets (For this project, we used two shades of yellow and one white (3 colors total))

• Styrofoam balls (2” and 1”)                                           $.43 and .10
• Green Floral Tape                                                        $1.49
• 18-guage cloth covered stem wire                                  $1.49
• Artificial stamens (pearl topped flower sprays)                  $1.99
• 2” wired ribbon                                                            $1.99
• Scissors

All materials were purchased at Michael’s with the exception of tissue paper and Styrofoam purchased from a local art store.  We made this bouquet for approximately $10, with materials left over for at least one more or several boutonnieres.

Quick Tip: Instead of Styrofoam, you can also use cotton balls in varying sizes.

Pom Flower:

Step 1: Layer 4-5 sheets of tissue paper (10” x 6” rectangle going through all layers). Make ½ inch accordion folds.

Step 2: Bend stem wire around the center of tissue and crimp tight with fingers to secure.

Step 3: Trim ends to a “V” or “U” shape, varying the length from the center for larger or smaller poms.

Step 4: Carefully separate layers of tissue one at a time.

Step 5: Fluff paper and blend together.

How to Make a Ball Flower:

Step 1: Cut 5 pieces of 5” x 4” tissue paper. For each petal, wrap tissue halfway around Styrofoam ball and twist ends and remove ball. Use different size Styrofoam for larger or smaller petals.

Step 2: Secure 12 stamens (or 6 pairs) onto stem wire using green floral tape.

Step 3: Attach twisted end onto stem wire at the base of the stamen, one at a time.

Step 4: Gently pull petals away from the center and trim the pointed ends.

Folded Petal Flower:

Step 1: Secure 12 stamens (or 6 pairs) onto stem wire using green floral tape.

Step 2: Cut several 2” x 3” and 1” by 2” rectangles from tissue and fold each piece in half lengthwise. Trim one end to be rounded and twist the blunt edge. Choose similarly-hued tissue paper to add depth. Attach petals one at a time from smallest in the center moving out to the largest, taping twisted ends onto wire. 

Step 3: Fluff out petals.

Each bouquet requires approximately 25 flowers.  Once the flowers are arranged, wrap the stems in green floral tape. Cover the stems with a wide, wired ribbon.

Or, try with a Ribbon...