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How to make giant paper flowers

By Bunnings magazine /

Three giant paper flowers in peach and white colours, surrounded by potted plants in a sunlit room with large windows.

Overview

Let seasonal blooms set the stage for your spring entertaining. Position vibrant, potted flowers throughout entryways, dining rooms and social spaces to create a warm welcome. Complete the scene with a touch of whimsy, in this case a bouquet of giant paper flowers to add some magic and really make the occasion special.

Steps

1

Cutting list

For each flower, using 3.5m x 600mm kraft paper:

  • Large petals 320mm x 170-280mm shape (8)
  • Medium petals 260mm x 150-210mm shape (8)
  • Small petals 200mm x 120-150mm shape (8)
  • Extra-small petals 60-80mm x 60mm shape (12)

For each flower, from 1.2m x 600mm piece:

  • Large leaves 360mm x 25-100mm shape (3, plus 3 for the base)
  • Medium leaves 240mm x 25-60mm shape (3, plus 3 for the base)
  • Small leaves 150mm x 20-35mm shape (4, plus 20 for the stem and base)

From 1.5m x 600mm piece:

  • Inner pistils 1500mm x 100mm strip (3)
  • Outer pistils 600mm x 100mm strip (3)

From 1m x 600mm piece:

  • Stamens 1000mm x 130mm strip (3)

Tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves, ear muffs and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.

2

Cut the templates

Mark one conduit at 1.7m and one at 1.5m. Clamp and cut with a hacksaw. Using scissors, cut kraft paper into workable pieces: per flower, three 3.5m x 600mm pieces (petals), one 1.2m x 600mm piece (leaves); for three flowers, one 1.5m x 600mm piece (pistils), and one 1m x 600mm piece (stamen). See cutting list (above) to draw, cut out and label one of each shape to use as templates.
Hands tracing a petal shape onto brown paper with a marker, next to scissors and a tape measure.

3

Paint the paper

Using a 50mm brush, apply paint to both sides of the paper pieces (petal pieces in your chosen colour, the leaves and pistils in green, and the stamen in yellow), letting dry on each side. Following the cutting list (above), trace the templates onto the painted paper and cut out using scissors. Measure and mark the pistil and stamen strips onto the painted paper, then cut out.
Hands cutting around a leaf template on green-painted kraft paper using scissors with a Sharpie nearby.

4

Make the leaves

Run hot glue along the bottom edge of the petal shapes and carefully scrunch together tightly to shape. Cut lengths of wire to match the leaf heights. Run a bead of hot glue down the centre of a leaf, press the wire into the glue, and sandwich a second leaf on top, pressing firmly along the centre seam. Repeat with remaining leaf shapes.
Hands positioning wire on bead of glue on a green leaf cut-out, with a hot-glue gun nearby.

5

Snip the fringe

Fold the green pistil strips twice; snip a 6cm fringe along one folded edge with scissors then open back out. Repeat for yellow stamen length but cut a 9cm fringe. Roll inner pistil into a tight cylinder. Fill the end of the conduit sweep bend with hot glue and firmly seat the roll inside. Wrap and hot-glue the outer pistil around the conduit rim; layer the stamen around it.
Hands attaching yellow fringed paper to an orange conduit bend with a green paper fringe, with a hot-glue gun nearby.

6

Layer the petals

Hot-glue extra-small petals around the conduit bend; space the first four opposite each other, then nestle the next four into the resulting gaps, then add a third layer in the same placement as the first. Flip flower head upside down and continue layering rows of eight in the same staggered pattern: extra-small, small, medium and large.
Hands assembling peach-coloured paper petals onto an orange conduit bend, with a hot-glue gun and scissors nearby.

7

Glue leaves to the base

Hot-glue leaves to the flower base, covering the large petal bottoms. Position three large leaves and three medium leaves opposite each other, then glue four small leaves over the joints, securing only their centres so the tips flare outwards. Turn your completed flower head over and adjust petals and leaves by hand until you achieve the desired look.
Hands using a hot-glue gun to attach green-painted paper leaves to a large, peach-coloured paper flower with an orange conduit stem.

8

Make the stabilisers

Trace around the pot top onto cardboard and use a utility knife to cut out two circles, one slightly smaller, to act as stabilising jigs. Make three conduit-sized holes in each jig, keeping the holes tightly clustered on the smaller bottom jig and spreading them wider on the top jig, to mimic natural stem growth. Thread conduit through both jigs and seat the assembly in the pot.
Hands using a marker to trace around an orange conduit offcut onto cardboard, next to a white pot and a utility knife.

9

Set stems in concrete

To concrete the conduit stems into the pot, enlist a second pair of hands to hold the stems in place, with the top jig almost at their full height. Following the manufacturer’s instructions, mix quick-set concrete in the pot, then tape the bottom jig securely to the pot rim for support while the concrete cures. Once cured, remove both jigs.
A gloved hand positioning a cardboard jig on a white pot holding orange conduits set into concrete, against a corrugated metal background.

10

Finish the set up

To position the flower heads, slot the conduit sweep bends of the flower heads onto the conduit stems, then hot-glue one grouping of four small leaves on each stem and all remaining leaves around the base. Tuck the battery packs of three sets of LED wire lights out of sight among base leaves. Wrap wire lights up around the stems and among petals.
A hand slotting a giant paper flower attached to a conduit sweep bend to an orange conduit, next to a white flower, both with green leaves.

11

Keep in mind...

  • When painting and mixing concrete, always wear safety equipment (eye protection and mask) and ensure the work area is well ventilated. Keep all paint and chemicals out of reach of children and pets.
  • Paint colours may vary on application.
  • For using a hot-glue gun, wear eye protection and a mask, work in a well-ventilated area, then place the appliance on its stand after use and allow it to cool down before storage. Do not leave unattended while in use or directly after use.

12

Want more garden party ideas?

Check out our article on how to build a timber garden arch.
Health & Safety

Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.

When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.