How to Make a Rose

Giving someone a rose is a great way to show your love and appreciation. Rather than buying a rose, however, consider making one instead; it'll make the gesture all the more special! From felt to ribbons to paper, the possibilities are endless. Best of all, you can choose the exact color of the rose, and you don't have to worry about it fading.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Cutting a Paper Rose

  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Rose
    Start with a larger, square sheet of paper. Fold it into fourths, then unfold it. Use the crease marks as a guide to cut the paper apart into 4 smaller squares. Make each square about 4 in (10 cm). [1]
    • If you want a larger rose, you can just use 4 sheets of origami paper instead.
    • Red, pink, and white are popular rose colors, but you can make yours any color you want.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Rose
    Take your first square and fold it in half horizontally. Fold it in half again going vertically. Finally, fold the square in half diagonally to make a diamond or triangle-like shape. [2]
    • Do this for all 4 squares. If you are using origami paper with a white side and a colored side, it does not matter which side is facing out.
    • Run your fingernail across each fold as you complete it to make the creases nice and sharp. These will be your cutting guides!
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Rose
    Rotate your first diamond so that the non-folded edge is on top and the folded edge is on the bottom. Cut the non-folded edge off at a curve so that the diamond looks like an ice cream cone or an upside-down teardrop. When you’re done, unfold the paper. [3]
    • Do this for all 4 diamonds.
    • Your folded diamonds will have a set of folded edges and a set of cut/non-folded edges.
    • Snip the bottom point off of each diamond. This will make it easier to add the stem!
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Rose
    When you unfold your teardrop shapes, they will turn into flowers with creases in them. Between each set of creases is a wedge-shaped segment. Use the creases as cutting guides to remove the following segments from each flower: [4]
    • Flower 1: 1 segment
    • Flower 2: 2 segments
    • Flower 3: 3 segments
    • Flower 4: 4 segments
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Rose
    After you cut the segments out, you’ll end up with 8 pieces, but you don’t need that many to make your rose. Instead, discard the 1- and 2-segment pieces, and one of the 4-segment pieces. Keep the 3-segment piece. By the end, you should have a: [5]
    • 7-segment flower
    • 6-segment flower
    • 5-segment flower
    • 4-segment flower
    • 3-segment flower
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Rose
    Take your 7-segment flower. Coat the first segment above the wedge-shaped gap with glue. Overlap it with the last segment below the wedge-shaped gap to create a cone shape. [6]
    • Repeat this step for the 6-segment, 5-segment, and 4-segment flowers. Leave the 3-segment flower as-is.
    • Liquid glue and glue sticks will work great for this. If you’re using liquid glue, however, be sure to only apply a thin layer.
    • Give the flowers time to dry. If you need to, secure the overlapping segments with paper clips or clothespins.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Rose
    Take your first petal cup and hold a pencil under one of the petals. Wrap the tip of the petal around the pencil, then slide the pencil out. Finish all of the petals on the first cup, then move onto the next. [7]
    • You only need to do this for the cone pieces; leave the 3-segment piece alone.
    • Don’t worry if the petals don’t curl by the same amount. A little imperfection is common in nature!
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Rose
    Coat 1 of the diagonal edges on your 3-segment piece with glue. Wrap it around the end of a skewer to secure it, then finish wrapping the segment. Glue down the other edge, then hold it until it dries. [8]
    • If you don’t want a stemmed rose, just wrap the 3-segment flower into a tube, from one end to the other, then secure it with glue.
  9. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Rose
    Take your 4-segment flower and slide it onto the skewer. Push it up so that it’s right under the 3-segment flower. Follow up with the 5-segment, 6-segment, and 7-segment flowers. [9]
    • Be sure to off-set the petals so that they end up between each other rather than on top. This will give your rose a fuller, more realistic look.
    • If you didn’t add a skewer, just stack and hot glue the petals together in the center. Cut the bottom off of the 3-segment petal, and glue it in the center.
    • If the skewer is not sharp enough to poke through the petals, use an awl or thick needle to poke the holes instead. Make sure that they’re centered!
  10. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Rose
    Cut a multi-pointed star shape from a 2 in (5.1 cm) green piece of paper. Poke a hole in the middle, then add it to the skewer. Slide it up the skewer until it touches the bottom of the rose. [10]
    • Secure the star-shape with some glue if desired.
    • If you omitted the skewer stem on your rose, you can just glue your rose to whatever flat surface you want.
  11. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Rose
    Begin wrapping the tape at the base of the rose. Wrap it 2 to 3 times first, so that the rose doesn’t slide down, then begin to wrap it in a downward spiral towards the other end of the skewer. [11]
    • Overlap the tape by a little with each wrap so that you can’t see the skewer.
    • Wrap the tape tightly. This will help it stick to itself as well as the skewer.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Rolling a Fabric Rose

  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Rose
    Start with 18, 4.5 cm (1.8 in) wide full circles first, then fold and cut each circle in half to create 36 semicircles. [12]
    • Use a compass, a large coin, or a small jar to trace the circles. They don't have to be exactly 4.5 cm (1.8 in), but they should all be the same size.
    • You can try this with chiffon or satin, but you need to singe the cut edges with a flame so that they don’t fray.
    • Red, pink, or white are great colors for roses, but you can make yours using any color you want.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Rose
    Cut a piece of thread that’s about 81 cm (32 in) long. Pull it through a needle, then knot the end. Weave the needle up and down through the felt along the bottom edge. Start at 1 end of the semicircle and finish halfway across the bottom edge. [13]
    • Sew as close as possible to the bottom edge.
    • Don’t double the thread; you need the full length in order to gather the finished strip.
    • To make the thread easier to work with, move the needle so that it is a little over halfway across the thread. This makes the working thread shorter.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Rose
    The end of the second semicircle should be halfway across the bottom edge of the first semicircle, right where you finished sewing. Make sure that both bottom edges are aligned. [14]
    • If you used fabric with a front and back side, make sure that the front side for both pieces is facing up.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Rose
    Push the needle through both semicircles, then continue to sew across the bottom edge of the second semicircle. When you are halfway across the second semicircle, stop sewing and add the next semicircle. [15]
    • When you are sewing the semicircles, make sure that you sew through both layers of felt.
    • By the time you reach the middle of the second semicircle, you should be done with the first semicircle.
    • When adding the third semicircle, make sure that you add it under the second one.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Rose
    As you sew, pull your needle along the working thread so that the tail becomes shorter and shorter. At one point, you will have to gather the circles along the thread a little to keep the needle from falling off. [16]
    • Always add the new semicircle under the first one.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Rose
    Gently pull the thread through the semicircles so that the strand curls into a slight coil, like a C. This will help give your rose a cone shape when you go to roll it into a tube. [17]
    • Be careful not to break the thread when gathering in.
    • Make sure that the gathers are distributed evenly across the bottom edge of the strip.
    • The more you gather the thread, the more open your rose will be. Don’t gather it so much that the strip coils into a full O-shape.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Rose
    Apply a 2.5 cm (0.98 in) line of hot glue to the bottom edge of your very first semicircle. Roll the semicircle into a tight tube, then apply more hot glue to the next semicircle and roll it some more. Continue to apply glue and roll the strip into a tube until you reach the end. [18]
    • If you don’t have hot glue, you can try using fabric glue instead.
    • This completes the rose. When you’re done, you can gently peel the petals away from each other to give it a more open shape.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Folding a Ribbon Rose

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    You can use any type of ribbon you want for this, but satin or grosgrain would look lovely. Make sure that the ribbon does not have any wire in it. [19]
    • You can use thinner ribbon or even strips of paper.
    • If your ribbon or paper is thinner, you won’t need the full 38 in (97 cm).
    • If the ribbon has wire in it, pull it out the ends like you would pull out a straw.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Rose
    Orient the ribbon horizontally so that the long edge is facing you. Measure 5 in (13 cm) from the end of the ribbon, then fold the rest of the ribbon up to make a right angle. [20]
    • If the ribbon has a distinct front and back side, make sure that the back is facing you.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Rose
    Fold the ribbon at a right angle away from the shorter end (left or right), then fold it downward. Fold the ribbon to the opposite side (left or right) to finish the square. [21]
    • This completes your first layer.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Rose
    Each square makes a single layer. When you have about 3 in (7.6 cm) of ribbon left, stop. This will be the bottom of your rose. [22]
    • As you fold the ribbon, try to leave a tiny hole in the center of each square. This will make it easier to assemble the rose.
    • If you have more than 3 in (7.6 cm) of ribbon left over, cut the rest off at an angle.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Rose
    You may have to twist the tail into a small tube in order to get through the hole. Alternatively, fold a thin wire in half, then use it like a needle to thread the tail through the hole. [23]
    • Be careful not to pull too much of the ribbon through the hole. You just need to pull the first 5 in (13 cm).
    • If you used a wire to pull the ribbon through the hole, be sure to remove it at the end.
    • The 5 in (13 cm) tail should now be on the same side as the other 3 in (7.6 cm) tail.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Rose
    You need to twist the tail in the same direction that the ribbon is twisted in. Look at the front of the rose as you twist. If it starts to tighten, you’re going in the right direction. If it starts to loosen or unravel, go in the opposite direction. [24]
    • How much you twist the ribbon by depends on how tight you want your rose to be. The more you twist, the tighter it’ll be!
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Rose
    Cut a piece of 1 ⁄ 8  in (0.32 cm) wide ribbon that's about 8 in (20 cm). Hold the 2 tails together, then wrap and tie the thinner ribbon around them in a secure, double-knot. Make the knot right at the base of the rose. [25]
    • The color of the thin ribbon does not matter. If you plan on adding the rose to a stem, however, consider using the same color as the rose—or green.
    • If you’d rather leave the rose flat as an applique, cut the tails off just below the tied ribbon, then seal the cut end with hot glue or fabric glue.
  8. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Rose
    Hold the pipe cleaner and rose tails together so that they resemble a thick stem. Wrap green floral tape around the base of the rose a few times, then continue to wrap it around the pipe cleaners until you reach the bottom. [26]
    • If you can't find a pipe cleaner, use a thick, floral wire stem instead. About 16-gauge should do.
    • Pull the tape tightly as you wrap it. This will help it stick to itself. Be sure to overlap the tape slightly with each wrap.
    • For a more realistic rose, add some fake rose leaves to the stem as you wrap the tape. You can find them in the wedding department of a craft store.
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      Tips

      • Add a drop of rose-scented perfume or oil into the center of your rose for a realistic touch.
        Thanks
      • Instead of using red, pink, or white paper for paper roses, consider parchment paper, sheet music, or even coffee filters.
        Thanks
      • Make a bunch of roses, then put them into a vase to use as a bouquet!
        Thanks
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      Things You'll Need

      Cutting a Paper Rose

      • Paper, any color
      • Green paper
      • Scissors
      • Skewer
      • Green floral tape

      Rolling a Fabric Rose

      • Felt
      • Needle
      • Thread
      • Scissors
      • Hot glue

      Folding a Ribbon Rose

      • 1 1 ⁄ 5  in (3.0 cm) wide ribbon
      • 1 ⁄ 8  in (0.32 cm) wide ribbon
      • Scissors
      • Pipe cleaner
      • Green floral tape


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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XXBFxIU5jM&t=12s
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XXBFxIU5jM&t=25s
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XXBFxIU5jM&t=34s
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XXBFxIU5jM&t=50s
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XXBFxIU5jM&t=1m
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XXBFxIU5jM&t=1m5s
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XXBFxIU5jM&t=1m30s
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XXBFxIU5jM&t=1m50s
      9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XXBFxIU5jM&t=2m
      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XXBFxIU5jM&t=3m5s
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XXBFxIU5jM&t=3m12s
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKQD0i6ZjO4&t=15s
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKQD0i6ZjO4&t=40s
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKQD0i6ZjO4&t=50s
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKQD0i6ZjO4&t=1m
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKQD0i6ZjO4&t=1m5s
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKQD0i6ZjO4&t=1m15s
      9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKQD0i6ZjO4&t=1m20s
      10. ↑ https://theredpaintedcottage.com/diy-easy-ribbon-roses/
      11. ↑ https://theredpaintedcottage.com/diy-easy-ribbon-roses/
      12. ↑ https://theredpaintedcottage.com/diy-easy-ribbon-roses/
      13. ↑ https://theredpaintedcottage.com/diy-easy-ribbon-roses/
      14. ↑ https://theredpaintedcottage.com/diy-easy-ribbon-roses/
      15. ↑ https://theredpaintedcottage.com/diy-easy-ribbon-roses/
      16. ↑ https://theredpaintedcottage.com/diy-easy-ribbon-roses/
      17. ↑ https://theredpaintedcottage.com/diy-easy-ribbon-roses/

      About this article

      Article Summary X

      To make a paper rose, start by cutting a sheet of paper into 4 squares and folding each square twice to make them into smaller squares. Then, fold each square so you're left with 4 triangles. Next, trim each triangle into a teardrop shape, then snip the center tip and unfold the shape, which will look like a flower. From each flower shape, cut out increasingly larger segments, then glue the gaps shut on each flower except for the one with 3 segments. Finally, wrap the 3 segment shape around a skewer and slide the other sets of petals around it. To learn how to make a rose out of ribbon, read on!

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      Reader Success Stories

      • Anonymous

        Jan 10, 2017

        "The process is shown step by step and it helped me learn to make them!!"

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