How To Make Paper Peonies

Learn how-to make paper peonies in #TechniqueTuesday with Cassandra from Peony + Ink and then make her Super Easy Paper Peony Wreath.

Step 1
First, if you'd like your flowers to be colored, you will need to dye them. Just add a drop or two of food coloring to a bowl of water and dip each coffee filter. You can also try tea or coffee! I used a combo of coffee, orange food coloring, and pink food coloring. Allow filters to dry before using.

Once dry, stack three of the filters together and fold in half twice, so you have rounded triangle shape. Trim a small amount from the outside edge (about 1/4in). These will be your inner petals.
Step 2
Next, take the same stack of three and cut a wavy/scallop shape along the outside edge. Stack the other three filters, fold in half twice, and cut a wavy/scallop shape along the edge, but don't trim anything off first. These will be your outer petals and should be slightly larger.

Open your filters back up, and they should have a wavy edge all the way around.
Step 3
Stack all six of your filters together and start gathering up the center. I found it helpful to make a circle with my thumb and pointer finger, place the stack of filters on top, and pressing down in the center with my other pointer finger to get started.

You don't have to make things perfect; it's better when they aren't! Occasionally flip over your flower to make sure you are happy with how it is starting to look. When ready, staple the point of the flower to hold them all together.
Step 4
After gathering up and stapling the layers, you should have something that looks similar to this.
Step 5
Next, flatten out your flower as much as you can without creasing the coffee filters.

Then, take the first layer and squish it, so it is pointing straight up. You'll want to crumple it a little bit so that it looks more like a flower petal.
Step 6
Repeat with each layer, squishing and crumpling into the previous one.
Step 7
A close-up of the very technical "squish and crumple."
Step 8
When all your layers are crumpled, take some time to play with the flower to make it more realistic looking. I pinched two layers together in a few spots, folded down the edges of the petals, etc.

Once you are happy with your peony, it's time to dream about all the things you can make!