This paper daisy tutorial is really easy to follow and the end result is SO pretty! Perfect for beginners, this simple and elegant flower is a classic choice. With only a few basic steps you can create an entire bouquet! If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at fashioning some crepe paper flowers, this beautiful daisy is a great place to start.
Ever since my very first blog post: How to Make Crepe Paper Poppies, I’ve been obsessed with making paper flowers. You can make almost any flower out of crepe paper. Some are harder than others, but once you start, it gets easier and there’s a good chance you’ll get totally hooked and want to learn it all!
I thought it would be fun to make more posts on paper flowers and share some of the awesome tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way. Crepe paper is amazing, and there’s something so appealing faux flowers. They always look great and will last a really long time!
This paper daisy is the perfect flower for beginners. Full disclosure, there are a lot of steps, BUT each step is easy and once you’ve made one, it gets even easier and faster!
I got most of my materials from Felt Paper Scissors they have the BEST supply of good quality crepe paper and everything you could ever need for making paper flowers. Amazon also has a lot of materials so you’re covered either way!
Check out my video on how to make a Paper Daisy:
Note: Scroll Down for the Step-by-Step Photo Tutorial with suggested Measurements.
Looking for even more DIY craft ideas? Here are a few of my favourites!
Crepe Paper Poppies
How to Wrap with Fabric
DIY Wooden Frame Decor
HOW TO MAKE A PAPER DAISY
The full printable list of instructions is available at the end of this post, but here’s a list of affiliate links that will take you to products on Amazon and Felt Paper Scissors that are similar to the supplies I used.
Here’s What You’ll Need:
- White Crepe Paper (Extra Fine)
- Yellow Crepe Paper (Extra Fine)
- Dark Green Crepe Paper (Extra Fine)
- 18 gauge Floral Wire
- Floral Tape
- Scissors
- Paper Curler
- Glue Gun
- Cardstock for Template (optional)
For this paper daisy, you’ll need 3 colours of crepe paper: White or Pale Yellow (petals), Dark Yellow (stamen) and Green (leaves). You’ll also need some floral tape, a wire stem, a paper curler, glue gun and a pair of sharp scissors.
Note: For this project, extra fine crepe is much easier to work with as opposed to heavy crepe. Extra fine folds well, so it’s easier to cut and has just the right amount of stretch. Heavy crepe tends to be a little too thick to fold/cut and has a lot of extra stretch that we just don’t need.
Making + Using a Template:
One of my favourite steps in making any paper flower is creating a template for all of your pieces. This step is optional but I think it’s super helpful and once you make one, you can keep it and use it any time you want to make that flower again.
For this paper daisy, you’ll need 3 pieces. The sizing is totally up to you, but I included the approximate measurements of the one I made for reference. You’ll need a long strip, a petal shape and half of a leaf shape.
Cut out your shapes. The process goes a lot smoother and faster if you take the time to cut all of your pieces before you start assembling your daisy!
Cutting out the Stamen:
Grab a sheet of dark yellow crepe paper and lay the template on top. Lightly trace around the rectangle using a pencil. Cut it out using a pair of sharp scissors.
Important: make sure the grain of the crepe paper is running vertically. You’ll need to cut and roll the strips and the grain is what gives the paper some stretch.
Cut a second, identical strip to the first.
Grab the first strip, and make small cuts upwards along the grain. Continue down the length of the strip. Be careful not to cut the whole way through and to leave a little space at the top.
Make the same small cuts along the second strip as well. Set them aside.
Cutting out the Petals:
We’ll make the petals next. Grab a roll of white or pale yellow crepe paper.
Cut 14 small rectangles that measure 1 x 2 1/4 inches. Your petal template should fit right into each of the rectangles.
Layering 2 rectangles at a time, cut around your petal shape. Keep cutting until you’ve made all 14 petals.
Cutting out the Leaves:
Grab your half-leaf template and some green crepe paper. Cut 5 rectangles that measure 1 1/4 x 2 1/4 inches. I added a little extra so you can be sure to have plenty of room.
Take the first rectangle and fold it in half lengthwise. Just like with the petals, the template should fit perfectly inside. Line up the straight edge of the template with the folded side of the crepe paper. Cut around the curved side.
Un-fold the paper to reveal your leaf. The fold down the middle gives it a more realistic look and will help you to know where the centre is when you glue it onto the stem.
Fold and cut the last 4 leaves. Now it’s time to assemble your daisy!
Rolling and Gluing the Stamen:
Grab the first of the two yellow strips. Add a dollop of hot glue to the end of the strip, cut side up. Take the wire stem and stick the tip down onto the glue to secure it.
Slowly roll the strip clockwise around the wire stem.
Keep adding a thin layer of glue, a little at a time as you work your way along the strip.
Roll and glue the stem until you reach the end.
When the first strip is fully rolled, repeat the same exact process with the second strip, layering and gluing it on top of the first one. This will form the centre/stamen of the daisy.
Once both strips are glued on, use the tips of your fingers to gently push the tiny strips apart, fanning them out so the stamen opens up a bit.
Curl the Petals:
One of the coolest and most helpful things when making paper flowers is a curling tool. It is SO easy to use and gives your petals and leaves a much more realistic look!
Grab your curling tool (or something with a relatively sharp edge – a piece of stiff cardboard or a ruler could work too.) Place one of the petals on top of the curler.
Press the edge of the curler into the back of petal about a 3/4 of the way down. Gently pull up on the curler with your dominant hand, while keeping the thumb of your other hand on the paper petal to add a soft curve.
Curl all 14 of your petals.
Gluing the Petals:
Add a small drop of glue onto the bottom-front of the first petal.
Press the petal onto the bottom of the stamen. Try to line up the bottom edge of the petal with the bottom edge of the stamen.
Continue this step and glue 6 more petals around the centre of the daisy. The first layer should have 7 petals. You can totally add or subtract petals depending on what you like best!
Glue the next 7 petals under the first layer. Place each one in the space between the first 7 petals to fill out your daisy. Continue to line up the bottom of the petals with bottom of the centre.
Your paper daisy is almost finished! It’s already looking pretty great right?!
Curling and Gluing the Leaves:
Take each leaf and curl it using the curling tool, so the tops bend backward and come to life!
Squeeze a small drop of glue onto the bottom-front of the first leaf. Place the glued portion onto the wire stem, just underneath the petals. In addition, you should pinch the sides of the bottom, where the glue is to attach it to the wire.
Glue the remaining leaves onto the wire, spacing them out as you go. I like the look of 5 but you can add as many or as few as you want!
Finish with Floral Tape:
For the final step, grab the floral tape. Warm the wax on the end of the tape with your fingers so it has more grip. Hold the end onto the base of the paper leaves with your thumb. Gently stretch the tape diagonally, and twist it around the stem.
Work your way down, towards the end of the wire. Spin the daisy as you go to help speed things up. Your fingers will naturally warm the wax coating, which helps the tape to stick to the stem the whole way down.
There you have it! Your beautiful paper daisy is complete! I know it was a lot of steps but isn’t the end result totally worth it?!!
Once you get the first one out of the way, it becomes so much easier to make the next one. Make just one or two OR go balls to the wall and make an entire bouquet!
Daisies are basic but so beautiful, and would look lovely on display any time of the year.
Use your paper daisies as decoration on a gift, make your own wedding bouquets, boutonnières, wreaths, garlands or flower crowns! There are so many ways to use them.
Paper Daisy Tips and Tricks:
Not all crepe paper is created equal. Certain types of crepe paper don’t have a lot of stretch, and will easily tear. In addition, the colour assortment often lacks variety. Italian and German crepe is among the best out there and they come in a couple different weights. Moreover, they are durable, have the ability for good stretch and come in a wide assortment of colours. I almost exclusively buy my crepe from Felt Paper Scissors. I especially love the extra fine crepe and use it 90% of the time.
Be sure to cut WITH the grain. Any template you make can be marked with an arrow and/or grain direction so you remember which way to cut it. Always remember to align your pattern or template WITH the grain of the crepe paper you’re using. This ensures your petals and leaves can be properly molded and will maintain their shape.
Invest in a curling tool. Being able to curl your petals is essential as it gives them a more realistic look and really brings them to life! This technique is not hard to master and makes a HUGE difference in the end result. Curling tools are not expensive and worth investing in, especially if you plan on continuing on your paper flower journey!
How to Make a Simple Paper Daisy
These paper daisies are SO pretty and are perfect for beginners.
- Glue gun
- Scissors
- 1 sheet white/pale yellow crepe paper ((extra fine))
- 1 sheet dark yellow crepe paper ((extra fine))
- 1 sheet green crepe paper ((extra fine))
- 1 piece floral wire ((18 gauge))
- 1 paper curler
- 1 piece cardstock ((template))
Make a template of all your pieces out of cardstock. Sketch out a petal, a long rectangular strip and half a leaf shape. Cut them out.
Cutting the Stamen
Start with the long strip. Grab a sheet of dark yellow crepe paper and lay the template on top. Make sure the grain on the paper is vertical. Lightly trace around the rectangle using a pencil. Cut it out using a pair of sharp scissors.
Cut a second, identical strip to the first.
Using a pair of sharp + precise scissors, take the first strip and make tiny incisions along the length of the rectangle, leaving a little space along the top. Repeat with the second strip. Set aside.
Cutting the Petals
Using either white or pale yellow crepe paper, cut 14 small rectangles that measure 1 x 2 1/2 inches. The petal template should fit right into each of the rectangles.
Layering 2 rectangles at a time, cut around the petal shape. Keep cutting until you've made all 14 petals. Layering a few at a time will help speed things up. Set the petals aside.
Cutting the Leaves
Grab the half-leaf template and some green crepe paper. Cut 5 rectangles that measure 1 1/2 x 2 1/4 inches.
Take the first rectangle and fold it in half lengthwise. Line up the straight edge of the template with the folded side of the crepe paper. Cut around the curved side.
Un-fold the paper to reveal your leaf.
Repeat these steps and cut out the remaining 4 leaves.
Rolling and Gluing the Stamen
Grab the first of the two yellow strips. Add a dollop of hot glue to the end of the strip, cut side up. Take the wire stem and stick the tip down onto the glue to secure it.
Begin to roll the first section of the strip around the wire stem.
Add a thin layer of glue, a little at a time and work across the strip, rolling and gluing until the entire strip has been rolled around the wire.
When the first strip is fully rolled, repeat the same exact process with the second strip. Layer and glue it on top of the first one to form the centre of the daisy.
Once both strips are glued on, use the tips of your fingers to gently push the tiny strips apart, fanning them out so the stamen opens up a bit.
Curling the Petals and the Leaves
Using a curling tool, add curl to each of the 14 daisy petals and each of the 5 leaves.
Gluing the Petals
Add a small drop of glue onto the bottom-front of the first petal.
Press the glued part of the petal onto the bottom of the stamen, so the curved part sticks out. Try to line up the bottom edge of the petal with the bottom edge of the stamen.
Continue these steps and glue 6 more petals around the centre of the daisy.
Glue the next 7 petals under the first layer. Place each one in the space between the first 7 petals. Continue lining up the bottom of the petals with bottom of the stamen.
Gluing the Leaves
Squeeze a small drop of glue onto the bottom-front of the first leaf. Place the glued portion onto the wire stem, just underneath the petals. Pinch the sides of the bottom of the leaf, where the glue is to attach it to the wire.
Use this same method to glue the remaining leaves onto the wire, spacing them out as you go.
Finish with Floral Tape
Grab the floral tape. Warm the wax on the end of the tape with your fingers. Hold the end onto the base of the paper leaves with your thumb. Gently stretch the tape diagonally, and twist it around the stem. Cut the tape when you reach the bottom.
This simple paper daisy is SO pretty and is perfect for beginners. Crepe paper flowers are so fun to make and they last forever. With a few basic supplies, you can make your own paper flower bouquets, wreaths, crowns or anything else you can come up with! Handmade flowers are all the rage and couldn’t be more beautiful. Such a creative and stunning DIY paper craft idea!
If you liked this paper daisy tutorial, you might want to check these out too!
Crepe Paper Poppies
How to Wrap with Fabric
DIY Wooden Frame Decor
