Vintage-looking Paper Flower Tutorial - Part One

Have you ever wanted to make your very own eco-friendly paper flowers? Well, thanks to our member, Gina Lewis, you can learn how!
Follow her simple directions for lovely results!!

I've included a couple different tutorials to give you a variety of looks. I recommend practicing a time or two before gluing them in place. And don't worry if you paper becomes wrinkly, it adds to vintage look.

You need:
*coffee filters (Unbleached filters give you the vintage look. You can also be eco-friendlyby using your old coffee filters. Just rinse grains off.
*glue (I prefer Beacon Fabri-Tac. Instantly tacky, dries clear & quick)
*paint
*brushes

Option: depending on what you are planning to use the flower for you can add wire to create a bouquet, or wreath. Fastening pin to create a brooch, the list is endless.

Tight New Bloom

Step 1
Cut filter in a spiral to the middle







Step 2
Place on a smooth surface like wax paper or counter top.
(Do Not lay them on top of paper)Water down paint and brush on filter. You only need to do one side as it will soak through. Let dry




Step 3

Fold one edge over all the way down. This will give the petals a nice rounded appearance. Start from the center and tightly wrap. This is where a few practice tries helps. Once your happy with how tight or loose you need to wrap it, re-wrap adding a dot of glue at the base once in a while.

Opening Bud

Do Steps 1-2 as above.

Step 3

Start in the middle wrapping your filter, after a few times around you're going to fold the paper back on itself just a little, then forward, then back again. This will give the appears of opening petals. Do this the rest of the way around. Glue randomly. Nice thing about thin coffee filters is the glue will soak through a couple layers so you can use it sparingly.

Full Bloom

Step 1

You'll need 5 coffee filters. 1st filter: do NOT cut;2nd filter: cut a little off the top; 3rd & 4th filters: cut making them smaller each time; 4th filter:cut so its the exact size of the filter bottom. 5th one will be cut a little smaller than the coffee filter bottom

Step 2

Take one of the strips you cut off and simply wrap it tightly around itself. This will be the flower center.