Tutorial: Rolled Paper Flowers

Now that you've had a couple days to dye your coffee filters, I imagine that your crafty little fingers are itching for more coffee-filter-fun...

First, plug in your glue gun and make sure you have plenty of glue sticks.

Grab your favorite pair of scissors, and a big pile of your lovely coffee filters (or any paper of your choice)



Since coffee filters are so thin, I usually layer and roll 2-3 at a time.  For this flower, I'm using 2 filters.

If you are using something other than coffee filters, you'll want to cut out a circle.  If you're not a great circle-cutter, you may want to trace one before cutting, as it makes rolling the flowers a bit easier.

Next, cut a spiral out of your coffee filter. (Drawing it out first may make this step easier)

and we're cutting...

This is what your final product should resemble.  When you get to the end of the spiral, there will be a small circle left that's about the size of a penny.

The place where you started cutting will also be where you start rolling the flower

Starting where you started cutting, roll your filter like you'd roll up a area rug.  This will be the center of the flower and you want it as tight as possible.  The outer edge of the coffee filter will become the top of your flower.

  I had trouble getting flowers started with my big fingers, so I found it easier to fold down a tab as shown above to have more to hold on to.  

Notice once I fold over the tab, how tightly I start the center.

Once you get the center stiff enough that you can hold the top and bottom between 2 fingers, it makes it a lot easier to roll this way.
As you near the end of the filter, make sure to keep the bottom of the flower tight, as the top will start to get loose.

Finished rolling.  If your flower seems too tight and you want to look a little looser, cup it between your 2 hands and shake it, this will help loosen it up some without it falling apart.

This is where that little tab I mentioned above comes in handy...if your center becomes too loose, you can use the tab to tighten the center of the flower without starting over again.

If you are using book pages, scrapbook paper, cardstock, etc, you'll take some pressure off the flower and it will loosen itself.  Be careful not to let go of it too much, or your flower may fall apart.

Once you get to the end, you'll have the circle tabs sticking out at the bottom of the flower.

On the bottom of the flower and around the edge of the bottom, you want to glob on a whole bunch of hot glue.

Then, fold the circle tabs over the glue bottom of the flower.  If you are using more than one filter, make sure to glue each layer of the circle tab...

See the 2 tabs where it's labeled "bottom of flower"...

...that's where you need more glue.

And here's your flower.  If you have any petals that look out of place...don't be afraid to trim where needed.

Easy, right?


            So, now all you need to do is start rolling,

and rolling,

and just when you think you have enough...

. 

....roll a couple more.

 The pile of flowers above made half of the 12" wreath pictured below.

Still with me?? I think some of my instructions might be confusing?

If so, you might try the source I originally used when learning how to make these flowers.

You might also want to check out my original post showing how I make the flowers into a wreath.

Please don't hesitate to let me know if you have any questions, and I'll happily help in any way I can.

Finally - if you make a wreath, I'd love to see it and feature it here at Salvaged Whimsy...

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take care -