Paper Roses How To: 2 Ways

For my cousin’s wedding guest book table, they decided to create a travel themed table with a mini suitcase for cards, a pretty globe for guests to sign, and a small bouquet of paper roses made from maps. So I gladly volunteered for this task, as I’ve been wanting to work on my paper flower skills. I’ve made peony flowers from coffee filters before for a styled shoot and thought they were lovely, so when I was doing my research on which DIY rose I wanted to do, the bride and I decided on two styles. One is simply rolled to achieved more of a spiral looking rose, while the other, my favorite, had multiple petal shaped layers that gave a fuller, more rose-like shape. I even took it a step higher by printing these maps double-sided myself with maps of their New Jersey Hometowns, as well as the bride and groom’s native countries of Portugal and Mexico.

It took me a trial rose that practice the right technique, but once you get through the first two you’ll get the hang of it, and realize they are so simple to make. I do think that although the larger buds are prettier, they do take more time and effort to make than the much simpler, but cute spiral roses. You can use any pattern or color of paper, that will be the hard part when making these paper roses. Have fun using different colored papers and sizes to get different looking flowers. They are a great DIY way to bring a personal detail to a wedding. 

Layered Petal Rose How to: You’ll Need

Paper {with map or desired design printed on both sides}

Hot Glue Gun

Scissors & Paper Cutter

Ruler

Pencil

Floral Tape

Paper Straws

Cut the printed paper into four, 3 1/2 or 4″ squares. Fold in half to the left, then fold in half upwards, and then fold into a triangle with opening to the right.Snip the bottom left point just a bit, and then cut a curve on the side that the paper opens. Repeat three more times; you should have four cut out flowers each with 8 folded petals. From the first flower, cut off one petal, leaving 7. Cut 2 petals, from the next leaving 6 petals, and repeat until you have rose templates with 7, 6, 5, two 4 and 3 petals on each.Curl the edges of the petals with a pencil. It easily holds its shape well. Bring the two end petals together sealing with a small piece of tape to create a ring. Leave one of the 4-petal templates flat. Starting with the smallest center bud, fit each layer of petal into one another starting with the smallest numbered to the most, two petals, then three and so on. Place a few drops of hot glue onto the layers to secure together. Snip bottom to create a flat base. Place a drop of glue and secure straw. Hold for a few seconds to secure in place, then allow to dry completely in a vase, flower facing up.  See below on how to wrap stems and attach leaf accents. 

Spiral Rose How to: You’ll Need

Paper {with map or desired design printed on both sides}

Hot Glue Gun

Scissors & Paper Cutter

Ruler

Floral Tape

Paper Straws

Start with a square piece of the printed paper. I used a 6 inch square {experiment with different sized papers – a 6″ square will you give a 1 1/2″ rose}. Cut all your paper to size.

Begin by cutting a circle, starting from one of the sides. Continue to cut a spiral circle all the way towards the middle of the paper. Don’t worry if it’s not a perfect circle, you won’t even realize it’s been done free-hand.

When you get to the end center of the paper, cut to look like a tab and cut the sides of the paper off from where the spiral circle shape begins.
Starting at the outside edge of the circle spiral, tightly roll the paper towards you until it begins to form the bud of a rose. When you get to the end, hold the rose very tightly, dab a drop of glue onto the tab and attach to secure onto the rolled bottom. Add leaf-shaped paper cut outs to hide the glued base. To make leaves, free hand leaf shapes onto green colored paper of choice {I choose a soft simmering olive-green}. Fold each cut out leaf, then curl the pointy edge using a pencil. Snip the base so that are thinner, making it easier to hide with the floral tape. 
Place a drop of hot glue onto the base of rose and attach the paper straw. Hold in place for a few seconds to seconds, then place in a vase to dry completely. Once glue is completely dry, attach leaves at base and wrap the straw with the green floral tape, being careful around the glued base of the flower and to cover any glue spots.  Cut stems to desired height. And that’s it!