Tissue Flowers
Mar 24, 2011 by Violet
This is another one of those crafts that I think we all did as children at some point but when done in a more delicate way it can be used as a great hair accessory. Tissue flowers!
What you need:
I’m using cute tissues that have designs stamped on them but you can use regular ones too, the only real requirement is that they be several ply each. Lay a stack or 2-3 tissues out on a table.
Fold the combined edges over around 1cm.
Continue folding back and forth so it forms an accordion shape.
When you reach the end you should have something like the photo below.
It can be hard to crease tissues so it’s a good idea to lay it down and run your hands along like this:
Find the middle by folding it in half…
And tie it tightly with the thread.
Now from here there are two main ways to continue… I’ll show you the one on the right first!
It should be noted that when I took the photos for these I couldn’t get the colour to show up a reasonable amount so I have photoshopped it to have a lot more contrast and colour so you can really see what’s going on. Next step is to separate the layers of tissue…
Separate as many of the ply as you can so it flares out like this…
Repeat on the other side…
Now either tear or cut the edges of everything so it looks more like petals. You can cut in different ways depending on the type of flower you like.
At the moment it looks like a bit ball of tissues…
Now mix up your ink/paint…
And very carefully touch the paint brush to the tips of the tissues…
Keep going and it will look something like this! Done!
Now version two which has lots more colour and looks more like a hibiscus!
Back to where you’ve just tied the string around the middle, tear or cut the ends of the pleat off to form petals.
Now paint the ends with the ink.
You can use a lot more than if you were painting one of the ply because it’s thick and won’t disintegrate.
You can also add a second colour to the middle section if you like.
Leave it to dry and then pull all of the ply apart. Scrunch the middle together and twist slightly.
You can shape the outer petals into 5 points to make it look more like a traditional flower. Scrunching the middle is the finishing touch!
Now you can add a hair pin or something like that and you’re finished! This is one I did with some decorative napkins…
All fluffed up…
And stuck on a hair pin! This is a super easy thing to do if you’re in need of a quick hair accessory!
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This is an awesome tutorial! I think that I am going to try it out soon. This could be so useful for making pretty serviette holder decorations. :)
This would be perfect for table decorations, I could totally see a whole glass bowl full of them!
oh I use to make these when I was young. WHY DIDNT I THINK OF DOING THIS AGAIN?! thank you for bringing all these cute ideas back <3
:D No problems! I think I should make a series of kids crafts that can be made into adult ones!
WOWWWEEEEE!! So pretty!!! Can’t believe it’s all tissue!!!
Haha thanks Ling <3
Those are so pretty~! I wonder if there’s some kind of way to preserve them a bit. I mean, they’re tissue, so they probably wouldn’t last that long no matter what, but I wonder if you could get some clear spray lacquer and lightly mist a few layers on or something, to make it last a little.
That sounds like a great addition! Hmm I might see if I can find some and give it a try. Let me know hoe it goes if you try it!
Fabulous! I wonder if they could be made outdoor-proof? Maybe with spray finish/varnish (matte of course).
Aimiya suggested the same thing below, it’s definitely something to think about if you can find one that’s light enough not to weight the layers down. Let me know if you give it a try, I would be interested in seeing if it works!
My sister and I did loads of these as kids :)
That last one looks so pretty in your hair.
I love kids crafts! :D
I absolutely adore this project! I’m so glad I have a computer at home and can read your blog whenever I want ;o;
I’ve missed this!
YAY! Very glad to have you back :D :D :D
Those are adorable! I think I’ll try making some, but I’m going to try using a light but stiff fabric instead, maybe some kind of cotton?
That sounds cute! I think maybe a really thin fabric like gauze or chiffon would work but it might not be stiff enough to hold up like this?
…Probably with very soft/thin fabric, and istead of cutting the ends, burning them… I will try it out tomorrow and see how it goes :P beautiful idea!
Burning the ends sounds like a great idea, though make sure you don’t do that with cotton or anything properly flammable XD Let me know how i goes!
I love the one you did with decorative napkins! what a fun rainy day project ^.^
I like the napkin one best too :D
omg I loooove those tissue flowers! I want to make a garland to decorate my room one day ^^ I just buy the colored tissue from dollar stores, you know the one u use for gift wrapping? and then i mix sheets of different colors =) looks amazing!
That would be so pretty! I can’t wait to see if you do it!
I love all of these old school crafts turned into sophisticated adult projects. You inspired me to go to the craft store and pick up some kid’s kits to keep me busy while I’m stuck in the hotel still. XD
Haha now that is a good use of hotel time! I feel like I should start a series of kids-to-adult crafts XD