Build a Flower Read online

  Editor: Meredith A. Clark

  Designer: Laura Palese

  Production Manager: Kathleen Gaffney

  Library of Congress Control Number: 2019936963

  ISBN: 978-1-4197-4064-0

  eISBN: 978-1-68335-881-7

  Copyright © 2020 Abrams

  Photography by Glenn Scott

  Cover © 2020 Abrams

  Published in 2020 by Abrams, an imprint of ABRAMS. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher.

  Abrams books are available at special discounts when purchased in quantity for premiums and promotions as well as fundraising or educational use. Special editions can also be created to specification. For details, contact [email protected] or the address below.

  Abrams® is a registered trademark of Harry N. Abrams, Inc.

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  INTRODUCTION

  1 Paper Basics

  2 Tools and Materials

  3 Care Instructions

  4 Techniques

  5 Tutorials for Basic Flowers

  Cardstock Wall Flower

  Doublette Crepe Paper Tulip

  Florist Crepe Paper Open Peony

  Fine Crepe Paper Butterfly Ranunculus

  Tissue Paper Dahlia

  6 Beyond Flowers

  TEMPLATES

  GLOSSARY

  RESOURCES

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  INTRODUCTION

  Welcome to Paper Flowers!

  Handcrafted paper flowers are experiencing a revival, becoming increasingly popular among contemporary crafters. The versatility of paper makes flowers a great project choice for a variety of events, decorations, and gifts.

  This book is intended to be an introduction to paper crafting through flowers. In it, you will find descriptions of the most popular types of paper, as well as basic tools and materials and how to use them. You will learn beginner and intermediate techniques, such as curling, cupping, and fringing, to add depth and dimension to your paper flowers.

  You’ll also find step-by-step instructions on how to build five paper flowers, with each tutorial exploring a new technique and a different type of paper. You can then add your own creative touch with the optional coloring techniques using supplies like acrylics, inks, and pastels. Inspiration can be found in nature for color, texture, and shape, all within one flower. Apply your everyday discoveries to your paper flowers and you will be surprised at how playful and modern they turn out. After all, we are not looking to perfectly replicate a flower—instead, we are trying to capture each flower’s unique personality.

  Although there are no set rules, the tips and tricks in this book will help you get comfortable with the art of paper flower crafting. With a little bit of cutting, stretching, and gluing, you will be able to create your own one-of-a-kind, beautiful paper flowers.

  1

  PAPER BASICS

  The most important material you will need to make paper flowers is, of course, paper. Different types of paper work better for different flowers. Consider the weight, texture, and color of the flower you want to create as you select the paper you’ll use to build it. You can stick to the recommended paper on each tutorial, or try different paper and follow the suggested adjustments at the end of the instructions. As you progress, you will want to experiment with different qualities and types of paper in your flower projects.

  Types of Paper

  Here are the most common and popular types of paper used to make paper flowers, as well as many other paper crafts.

  CARDSTOCK PAPER

  from 50 lb to 110 lb

  Cardstock paper is a thicker version of the regular text-weight paper you find in an office printer. Cardstock is readily available at a number of craft stores and found in a wide variety of colors. It generally comes in 8½-by-11-inch (21.5-by-28-cm) sheets that vary in thickness. Because it’s so thick, it’s not easy to manipulate into lifelike petals, but it works great for modern and oversize flowers and is perfect for paper flower backdrops that need to be sturdy and durable. Decorating cardstock paper usually requires opaque media, including acrylics and layered paper techniques.

  FINE CREPE PAPER

  32 g and 60 g

  Fine crepe paper is thin and delicate with a smooth finish and a gentle stretch. Its translucency gives petals a lifelike quality that other papers lack. You can color fine crepe with chalk pastels for gradients and use markers for petal edges. For added sturdiness, you can fuse two sheets of fine crepe into a sheet of “doublette” with spray adhesive or fusible bonding web. Fine crepe works great for making flowers with many petals, like the butterfly ranunculus. In a pinch, crepe paper streamers can give you a similar effect to fine crepe paper.

  DOUBLETTE CREPE PAPER

  90 g

  Doublette crepe paper, also known as German crepe paper or double-sided crepe paper, actually refers to two sheets of fine crepe paper fused together, but the result feels completely different from the original material. Doublette paper stretches just the right amount to shape petals and has a smooth texture. The grain is not as noticeable as with heavier crepe, and there are no horizontal machine lines. Doublette paper comes in double-sided folds that measure approximately 10-by-49 inches (25-by-124 cm), and each side has a slightly different color—like bubblegum and rose, or olive green and forest green. When gently wet with a brush, both colors will blend together. You can color doublette paper with alcohol inks, watercolors, and India inks; it absorbs paint beautifully.

  FLORIST CREPE PAPER

  100 g, 160 g, and 180 g

  Florist crepe paper, also known as Italian crepe paper, is thick and textured paper with a fantastic stretch that allows you to create deep, sculptural petals. It is sturdy and will hold its shape well, but most brands have horizontal machine lines every 2 inches (5 cm) that you may want to avoid when cutting your petals. There are some florist crepe paper brands that have no machine lines.

  TISSUE PAPER

  20 g to 24 g

  Tissue paper is widely accessible and often used for gift wrapping—giving you a great way to upcycle your gift-wrapping materials. It does not stretch, but it can be dyed in wonderful shades. In a pinch, coffee filters can give you a similar effect to tissue paper.

  OTHER, LESS-COMMON TYPES OF PAPER

  Here are some papers that can also work for making flowers, depending on your project: streamer crepe paper, coffee filters, watercolor paper, wrapping paper, kraft paper, decorative paper, text-weight paper, newsprint, book pages, music sheets.

  An Important Note on the Grain of Crepe Paper

  When working with crepe paper, you will need to consider the direction of the grain of the paper. The grain of the paper refers to the vertical lines that run up and down your paper roll or fold of paper. These lines give crepe paper its stretchiness. Crepe paper only stretches when you pull it perpendicularly to the grain. When you cut your petals, it is important that your template matches the direction of the grain—otherwise you won’t be able to stretch your petal. Keep this in mind when cutting and folding your paper. In this book, dimensions are given as height-by-length, so that the grain of the paper runs with the height of your petal.

  2

  TOOLS AND MATERIALS

  Beyond paper, the basic tools needed to become a paper flower master are very similar to those employed by florists. You will need floral wire, floral tape, and wire cutters—as well as common crafting tools like scissors and glue.

  SCISSORS

  A good pair
of scissors is your most important tool for making paper flowers. There are many types of scissors to choose from, but a standard pair of crafting scissors will suffice. These have long blades and pointy tips, allowing you to both cut large areas and make detailed cuts. Depending on the thickness of the paper and how sharp your scissors are, you may be able to cut many petals at once without the edges getting rough. Other types of scissors you may find useful include fringing scissors, pinking shears, and decorative-edge scissors. Look for ones with soft-grip handles to protect your hands during long periods of cutting.

  GLUE

  There are three basic types of glue that work best for paper flowers: hot glue gun, tacky glue, and glue stick. A small hot glue gun will create a strong bond and dry quickly. Be sure to use a low temperature setting, and be careful not to burn yourself. Tacky glue is good for precision work. It won’t create as much bulk in the stem when attaching the petals, and you’ll have more time to reposition petals before the glue has dried. To apply tacky glue, you can use a small brush, a dowel, a glue dispenser, or your fingers. A glue stick is less messy and will also allow you to reposition and laminate petals easily. When choosing a glue stick for flower-making, be sure you’re working with extra-strength glue and not the all-purpose school glue.

  FLORAL TAPE

  Floral tape can be a little tricky for beginners because it works differently than regular tape. The adhesive activates only when you stretch it, and the tape sticks only to itself. As you wrap your wire with floral tape, you must continuously stretch and pull down on the tape with one hand as you twist the wire with your other hand. Depending on your technique, floral tape can be your only type of adhesive, or you can skip the floral tape altogether if you use a good quality glue. I mainly use floral tape as an extra layer of security after I’ve glued all of my petals. You can also use it to thicken your stem if needed. Floral tape is available in a wide range of colors. The most common ones are dark green, brown, and white. For a more finished look, you can cover your floral tape with strips of stretched-out crepe paper and glue.

  FLORAL STEM WIRE

  Floral stem wire comes in a variety of thicknesses, measured on a scale of 16 gauge to 32 gauge. The lower the gauge, the thicker the wire. You will find floral wire in three main forms: plain, paper-covered, or cloth-covered. An 18 to 20 gauge plain or cloth-covered wire is good for stems, and 24 to 28 gauge white paper-covered wire is good for wiring petals and leaves. Floral stem wire usually comes in lengths of 18 inches (46 cm). It’s easier to work with a smaller wire length when first starting out. If you later need a longer stem, you can always lengthen your stem with another wire and floral tape.

  3

  CARE INSTRUCTIONS

  To take care of paper flowers, you have to do the opposite of what you would do with real flowers: keep them away from direct sunlight and water. Below are more detailed tips on how to keep them looking fresh and beautiful for a long time.

  LIGHT

  Most paper is not completely fade resistant. If left in direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time, its color will fade. You can either keep your paper flowers away from exposure to direct sunlight or protect them with a light-fast method. One that works really well is UV-resistant matte spray. Make sure to spray your flower evenly from a distance of at least 15 inches (38 cm). The colors may darken a bit after treatment, so experiment with sample flowers or scrap paper before spraying your finished flower. Spray in a well-ventilated area.

  Another method for protecting your flowers from sunlight is using Mod Podge to seal the color. Use a flat or foam brush to apply a thin layer to your petals and/or leaves. Mod Podge will also thicken and strengthen your flower, but the finish of the petals will change.

  Finally, you can cover your flower in wax to protect it from the elements. This is done by holding your flower upside down by the stem, slowly submerging it in a pot of hot wax, removing it, and shaking off excess wax.

  WATER AND MOISTURE

  Keep in mind that most paper is not waterproof or even water-resistant. The colors will run if wet, and petals will lose their shape. Some types of glue are more resistant to humidity, but in general, most glue will dissolve in high humidity. If you want your paper flowers to last, do your best to keep them dry.

  DUST

  To protect your flowers from dust, keep them in an enclosed space, such as a bell jar or glass case. To clean your flowers, hold them upside down and tap them gently. You can also lightly blow on them or use a small, clean brush to gently dust them off.

  4

  TECHNIQUES

  Building a paper flower involves carefully crafting the individual parts of the flower—the center, stamens, petals, calyx, stem, and leaves—using a variety of basic crafting techniques, and then assembling the parts. For a basic flower, you will start by building the center, then surrounding it with stamens and adding the petals either individually, in clusters, or in strips/layers. For a more finished look, you’ll next attach the calyx, cover the stem with paper, and add matching leaves.

  Paper flower crafting techniques allow you to shape petals and attach them to the stem to make them look more natural and give them movement and dimension. The type of paper you choose will determine the technique you use for shaping the petals. Most types of crepe paper have a decent stretch and can be shaped by cupping and ruffling. But even if the paper has no stretch, there are ways to manipulate it through folding and cutting that will give the petals some dimension. Practice each technique on scrap pieces of paper before attempting them on your actual petals. You can also refer to these techniques when following the tutorials.

  Using Templates

  You can cut out the parts for your flowers using the templates from this book as guides. Trace the templates onto a white sheet of paper and cut them out. Then draw around these outlines on cardstock and cut out the cardstock shapes. You can also trace your template with pencil directly onto the paper you are using to create your flower. Either way, make sure the template arrows match the direction of the grain. All dimensions in this book are given as height-by-length, and the grain of the paper should be running with height, up and down the longest part of your petal. The dotted lines on the templates are guides to where the paper should fold or gather.

  Cutting

  To cut out the parts, place your cardstock template on top of your paper and cut around it, or cut out the shapes you traced directly onto the paper. After some practice, you will be able to cut your petal shapes freehand, without a guide. Depending on the sharpness of your scissors, you can cut multiple petals at once by layering pieces of paper on top of each other. I recommend cutting no more than three or four petals at once when using florist crepe, doublette crepe, or cardstock. For thinner papers, like tissue and fine crepe, you can cut up to ten petals at once. To do this, accordion-fold your paper along the grain and place your template on top. You should meet no resistance if you’re folding your paper along the grain.

  Cupping

  Cupping is a technique used to mimic a petal’s naturally round shape. You will mostly cup papers that have at least some kind of stretch, like crepe papers. It will take some practice at first, but it will soon become intuitive. To cup, hold the middle of your petal with your thumbs and index fingers and gently stretch it into a subtle bowl shape. As you stretch the paper, move your thumbs toward yourself. Repeat this motion around the petal’s surface to get your desired shape. Some flowers, like roses and closed peonies, call for a more pronounced bowl shape and should only be cupped around the middle. Others, like open peonies and magnolias, need a more elongated petal and should be cupped all around the petal. Try not to stretch the edges of the petal or the paper will become flimsy.

  Snipping, Scrunching, and Twisting Petal Bases

  You can also shape papers that have no stretch, such as cardstock and tissue paper, by manipulating the base of the petal (the bottom part that attaches to the flower’s center or stem) to create a slightly cupped or raised petal. He
re are techniques for manipulating the petal’s base.

  Snipping or making a slit at the base of the petal and gluing the two resulting flaps together. The longer the size of your cut and the more you overlap your flaps, the more cupped and raised your petal will be. This technique is especially useful for sturdy papers like cardstock and oversize flowers.

  Scrunching the base of your petal. This technique works well with flimsy papers like tissue. It will also keep multiple tissue petals together before they’re attached to the stem. Use your fingertips to scrunch the base of your petals for flowers like anemones, roses, and poppies.

  Twisting the base of your petal. You can roll the base of your petals between your fingers to create a thinner base and give dimension to your petal. Attaching a petal with a twisted base is easier when you use a hot glue gun.

  Curling

  Curl your petals to simulate a live petal’s natural curve and movement. You can curl the petal edges by wrapping them around a small rounded tool, like a pencil, paintbrush, or dowel. The intensity of the curl will depend on how thick or thin your rounded tool is. To curl your whole petal, you can run it along the edge of your scissors using a similar movement to that of curling ribbon. Place the petal between your thumb and the edge of your scissors and pull the petal with your other hand while pressing your thumb against the scissors. The more times you do it, the more pronounced the curl will be. Generally, you will curl your petals after cutting them but before cupping or ruffling them.

  Laminating