Paper flowers have long been associated with Mexican tradition. Be it the celebrations related to Cinco de Mayo or el Día de los Muertos, you will see paper flowers all around. The craft of making paper flowers originated in East Asia and it was from there that it was brought to Mexico. This is the reason why the tissue papers used to make the flowers are known as "papel de china." In the following lines, we have explained 'step-by-step' procedure to help you make your own Mexican paper flowers.
How To Make Mexican Paper Flowers
Items Needed
- Paper-edger Scissors
- Twist Ties
- Scissors
- Colored Crepe Paper (or Tissue Paper)
Instructions
- Take six pieces of tissue paper or crepe paper or make a clean and tidy pile out of them.
- Cut the stack, made in the step above, in a way that it is no more than 12 inches wide.
- Keep the length of the stack 12 inches or more, but not less.
- Starting at the top of the stack, make 1-inch folds in the entire layer. Follow accordion-fashion, in order to form a fan.
- Using a wire twist tie, secure the center of the fan (made in the step above).
- With the help of scissors, trim the ends of the fan. You can give them an arch shape, so as to form a regular round flower.
- You can also give ruffled edges to the fan, with the help of fancy scissors.
- Taking the twist tie as the center, bend the fan into half.
- Separate each layer of fan carefully, beginning from the outside and moving your way in.
- Finally, make a stem from pipe cleaner or artificial foliage and add to the paper flower.
