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A paper flower wreath is a lasting way to bring color and seasonal charm to your home. Made with crepe paper, floral wire, and hot glue, this design combines a leafy base with magnolia-style flowers. Set aside enough time to make the flowers at a comfortable pace; you can complete the project over a weekend and reuse the wreath year after year.
Materials for a Paper Flower Wreath
Choose crepe paper colors that suit your room or the season. Dark green paper creates the leaves, while white and yellow paper are used for the magnolia flowers.
- Crepe paper in your chosen flower colors, plus dark green for the leaves
- Long floral wire
- Hot glue
- Scissors
- Wire cutters
Keep the wire cutters and hot glue within reach as you work. Take care when handling the cutters and allow glued areas to cool before adjusting them.
How to Make the Paper Flower Wreath
1. Shape the wreath base
Twist and bend three to four floral wire stems together to form a large circle. To make the frame from scratch, connect the stems into one long strip by twisting their ends together, bend the strip into a circle, and secure the ends. Wrap additional floral wire around the frame wherever needed to make it stable. A ready-made wire wreath form is another option if you prefer to skip this step.
2. Cut and attach the leaves
Cut leaf shapes with the crepe paper grain running vertically. Fold the paper first and cut each leaf on the fold, leaving the two sides joined at the base. Gently pull the sides apart to give the leaves a fuller shape.
Glue the joined base of each pair onto the wire form, then twist the leaves across the frame. This helps cover the wire and gives you a leafy foundation for the flowers.
3. Cover the wreath form
Continue adding leaves until the frame is covered. Arrange some leaves toward the inside of the circle and others toward the outside. Varying their direction makes the wreath look more dimensional and helps conceal gaps in the base.
4. Prepare the magnolia petals and center
For each magnolia, cut six to eight large, deflated balloon-shaped petals from white crepe paper. Each petal should measure about 3–4 inches across. Also cut one 12-inch-long wedge-shaped piece from yellow crepe paper and fringe one end of it.
5. Form the flower center
Hot-glue a piece of floral wire to the wide end of the yellow wedge. Roll the paper around the wire to create a cone-shaped flower stamen. Keep the roll secure as you work so the center holds its shape.
6. Build the flower
Stretch each white petal gently from the sides to form a ruffled look. Apply glue to the small tab at the base of a petal and attach it to the stamen. Add the remaining petals around the center, overlapping them as you go.
When all the petals are in place, check for any that gape or droop. Use a small dab of glue to secure them to neighboring petals if needed.
7. Attach the flowers to the wreath
Make the remaining flowers using the same process. For variety, change the petal shapes or flower centers. When the flowers are ready, twist their wire stems onto the wreath frame and secure them with hot glue. Trim excess floral wire with wire cutters.
Display and Care Tips
Arrange the finished wreath above a mantel, credenza, or bar cart. For a festive winter display, add fairy lights around the holidays. Keep the wreath indoors: moisture can damage the crepe paper, so avoid placing it outside if you want it to last beyond one season.
This paper flower wreath is a practical project to spread across a weekend, especially if you make the flowers in batches. Store it in a dry place between seasons to help protect the paper and keep its shape. —Kara
