How to Make Fake Flowers That Look Real: 3 Beautiful Methods

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Create pretty DIY fake flowers with coffee filters, tissue paper, or silk

Co-authored by Jeanne Walker and Aly Rusciano

Last Updated: July 14, 2025 Fact Checked

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Using Coffee Filters

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Using Tissue Paper

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Using Fabric

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Q&A

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Tips

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Things You'll Need

Making your own artificial flowers is a great way to create long-lasting blooms that won't cost you a fortune. In this article, we’ll teach you how to make realistic-looking flowers using coffee filters , tissue paper , or fabrics like silk . Not only are these fake flowers beautiful, but they’re easy to make! Keep reading to learn how to make artificial flowers for your next craft project.

DIY Silk Flowers (Overview)

Cut 6 small, 6 medium, 6 large, and 6 extra-large bean-shaped petals from silk fabric.
Lightly sear the edges of all the petals by holding them next to a candle flame.
Tightly roll a small petal and whip stitch the bottom to create the center of the flower.
Wrap another small petal around the center petal and stitch the bottom in place.
Continue sewing on petals from smallest to largest, overlapping the seams.
Tie off the thread and unfurl the petals to shape your silk flower.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Shaping Coffee Filters into Flowers

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1
Place coffee filters into dye to make colorful flowers. Squirt about 3 tablespoons (44 mL) of acrylic or latex paint into a large pan or bowl and stir in 0.5 cups (120 mL) of water until they're combined. Then, stir in 2 cups (470 mL) of water and submerge up to 20 round coffee filters of any size. Keep the filters in the dye for 2 to 3 minutes for pale flowers or up to 15 minutes for bold colored flowers. ^{[1]
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- Keep in mind that using larger coffee filters will make bigger flowers.
- If you're making white flowers, skip dying the coffee filters.
Tip: Have fun mixing different colors of paint to create several flower colors. For example, tint pink with a bit of yellow to create coral-colored flowers.
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Remove the filters and dry them in a single layer. Once the filters are the color you want, use tongs or your fingers to lift them out of the paint. Let the excess paint drip back into the pan and lay the filters on a wire rack. They'll dry faster in a single layer, so don't stack the filters on the rack. ^{[2]
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- The filters should dry within 20 or 30 minutes, depending on your climate.
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Take a filter and cut it into a spiral. Spread 1 of the dried coffee filters flat and use sharp scissors to make it into a spiral shape. The spiral strip should be about 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide as you cut your way to the center of the filter. ^{[3]
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- Once you've finished cutting the spiral, you'll be able to stretch the ends of the filter to make a long, skinny strip.
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Cut a 12 in (30 cm) piece of tape and stick the center of the spiral on it. Tear off a long piece of masking tape and lay it sticky side up on your work surface. Then, place the end of the filter strip about 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the tape's end. ^{[4]
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- Use the rounded end of the filter so it becomes the middle of your flower.
- To make a simple stem for the flower, use green masking tape .
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Pleat and gather the filter across the bottom half of the masking tape. To pleat the paper filter, fold it over onto itself so it ribbons slightly. Press the pleat down onto the bottom half of the tape so it gathers. Then, keep folding as you move down the tape. ^{[5]
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- Leave space along the top of the masking tape to wrap and seal the stem of the flower.
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Stick the end of the tape on a straw and wrap the strip around it. Press the tip of a paper or plastic straw on the bottom end of the tape that doesn't have the ruffled filter. Then, wrap the tape around it and keep rolling the straw on the tape until you reach the end of the strip. This forms the ruffled flower shape. ^{[6]
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- If you don’t have a straw, try using a thin strip of wire or a plastic stem from old artificial flowers.
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Wrap green tape around the straw to create the stem. Cut off a long piece of green masking or floral tape and stick it near the base of the flower. Then, wrap the tape diagonally and stick it around the entire straw. This becomes the flower's stem. ^{[7]
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- And that’s it! All that’s left to do now is display your DIY fake flowers. Place them in a vase, on a wreath, or in a bouquet.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Creating Tissue Paper Flowers

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1
Cut out 10 squares of tissue paper. You can make the tissue paper squares any size you like. Just know that the width of the square will be the width of your flower. For instance, for medium-sized flowers, we suggest making the squares 3 by 3 inches (7.6 cm × 7.6 cm). ^{[8]
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- If you'd like to make more than 1 flower, cut 10 squares for each flower you want to create.
- To save time, stack several layers of tissue when you cut the squares.
Tip: For a fun effect, layer different colors of tissue paper to create a multicolored flower.
Ensure that the sides of the tissue paper squares are lined up. Then, staple them together with a stapler. The layers of tissue paper will later become the frilled petals of your flower. ^{[9]
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Cut the tissue paper layers into a circle. Use a sharp pair of scissors to cut a circle around the stapled center of your tissue paper stack. Make the circle as wide as you want the flower to be. ^{[10]
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- For more precision, trace a circle onto the tissue paper before you begin cutting.
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Separate each tissue paper layer and pinch them up in the center. Peel up 1 layer of tissue paper at a time and scrunch it away from the staple in the middle. Be firm as you gather each layer, as this will make the ruffled texture of the petals. ^{[11]
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- Once you've finished gathering the layers near the center, it will look like a small flower that's starting to open.
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Unfurl the petals to shape your tissue paper flower. Use your thumbs to gently tug the layers of tissue paper apart. Work across the entire flower so it fills out and looks like a rounded blossom. ^{[12]
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- Consider keeping the bottom layer of tissue paper flat so it's easier to attach your flower to a bouquet or project.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Making Fabric Flowers

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1
Gather silk or polyester fabric. Silk and polyester are the best materials to create realistic artificial flowers because of their delicacy. Choose fabric in your favorite color or use several colors in different hues to make realistic-looking flowers. For example, choose peach, coral, and yellow to create a vibrant colored flower. ^{[13]
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- If you're using polyester fabric, opt for satin, organza, acetate lining, lace, or a combination of these.
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Cut 24 fabric petals in different sizes to make 1 flower. Cut bean-shaped petals in 4 sizes for your flower. Specifically, cut 6 petals out of silk or polyester for each of these bean-shaped sizes. Here are the approximate size dimensions for each petal: ^{[14]
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- 3 by 1.75 inches (7.6 cm × 4.4 cm)
- 3.5 by 2 inches (8.9 cm × 5.1 cm)
- 4.5 by 2.5 inches (11.4 cm × 6.4 cm)
- 5.25 by 3 inches (13.3 cm × 7.6 cm)
Tip: To save time, consider making or printing a template of these sizes. Then, you can just lay them on the fabric and cut as many petals as you need.
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Light a candle and use the flame to sear the edges of each petal. To create realistic-looking petals, hold each petal close enough to the candle's flame so the edges curl slightly but don't burn. Rotate the petals slowly to sear every side. This allows the fabric to curl like real petals while also preventing it from fraying. ^{[15]
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- Pay attention to how close you have to put the fabric to the flame. Don’t hold the fabric too close, or it may burn or catch on fire.
- If you're working with thick fabric, you may need to hold it closer to the flame than if you're working with a delicate fabric.
- Always use caution when working with an open flame.
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Gather 1 of the smallest petals and stitch the bottom to secure it. Hold the petal horizontally at the bottom and roll it tightly away from you. This creates the center of the flower. Keep the petal in place by double threading a needle and making a few whip stitches across the bottom layers. ^{[16]
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- To do a whip stitch , bring your needle up from the back of your starting point. Guide the thread through, and bring the needle back down to a second point. Then, bring the needle and thread up to a third point parallel to the first point. ^{[17]
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Wrap another small petal around the center petal and stitch the bottom in place. Put 1 more of the smallest petals around the petal that you just stitched. Keep holding the petals tightly by the base, so your flower can begin to take shape. ^{[18]
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- Remember to whip stitch the bottom again to secure the new petal in place.
Once you've attached all of the smallest petals, start adding the next smallest size until you've added all of them to the flower. Keep adding petals from smallest to largest around the center using a whip stitch. ^{[19]
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Tip: To make a realistic flower, overlap the petals as you place them. This helps cover the seams and makes the petals appear more natural.
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Tie off the thread and unfurl the petals. Tie a knot at the base of your flower and trim the thread. Then, use your fingers to gently pull back the petals at the top of your flower to make them look like they're blossoming.
- And that’s it! Now, attach the flowers to stems for a bouquet or hot glue them onto bows or wreaths.
EXPERT TIP

Jeanne Walker
Florist
Jeanne Walker is a Florist and the Owner of Fringe Flower Company, a floral design shop that specializes in weddings, special events, and daily deliveries. Fringe Flower Company, based in Walnut Creek, California, provides customized hand-tied and vase bouquets along with potted plants, succulent gardens, tulip french buckets, and wreaths. Jeanne also conducts floral design workshops and parties throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

Jeanne Walker
Florist

Did You Know? Artificial flowers are great for making floral crowns. Your head emanates heat, so if you use real flowers, they can droop and wilt quickly. You don’t have to worry about wilting with artificial flowers, as they can withstand any temperature.

Community Q&A

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Question

What can I make artificial flowers from?

T. Chinsen

Top Answerer

Artificial flowers can be made from anything. The key is to decide how realistic the final product will be, then choose the appropriate material. The level of execution determines the quality of the outcome.

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Do I need florist's tape, or can I use a different tape?

Community Answer

You could use regular tape, but it won't work as well as florist's tape. Florist's tape is easier to work with and fits in better with the flower because it's typically green. They sell florist's tape at the Dollar Tree.

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Can I use normal paper instead of tissue paper when making artificial flowers?

Community Answer

You can, it just won't be as flexible when you fold it. I'd recommend not adding stems, as that will put more weight on your flowers.

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To make a beautiful bouquet , arrange several types of artificial flowers and wrap the stems with a pretty ribbon.

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For a simple bouquet, try making a bouquet out of paper flowers .

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