Giant Book Page Dahlia Tutorial

How to make a giant paper dahlia wreath.

A photo tutorial.

The Giant dahlia is a fun, easy, and rewarding project. The finished dahlia measures about 21” across and can be made from a verity of different papers. I show it here made from hymnal pages but any paper, of printer paper weight, will work. 

You will need:

•Lots of paper

•Cardboard 

•A small piece of wire

•Scissors 

•Hot glue

•3” foam ball (optional)

And let’s get started!

(This wreath is made in my original style not a copy of someone else’s creation. I would appreciate it if you only make these for personal use.  Thanks.)

The inspiration! 

(Photo credit: Melanie Schmidt https://www.flickr.com/photos/the_walking_disaster/4906892883/?epik=dj0yJnU9cndPMWQ1TU9xRVg0MXJ2SGNmZE5BY09qa2lLNHYwSXYmbj1XRlhWV3RyNm15RUE3cEVFbk5NNlNnJm09MyZ0PUFBQUFBRjBLbjZz)

First step: 

We need to cut a 10” cardboard or chipboard circle. 

And I find it easier to add a wire or bracket, on the back, now before all the paper petals get in the way. 

Second step: 

Cut out the petal patterns.... we need 6

Start buy cutting a basic petal shape using using the dimensions in the last photo. Don’t stress, Your petal doesn’t have to be exactly the same shape as mine. 

Then cut each of the other patterns about 1/4” smaller than the last. 

There! 6 petal patterns in a progression of sizes. 

Third step: 

Cut out all those petals.  

I stack 4 pages together, fold them in half lengthwise slip the pattern over the folded paper and cut around the edge. 

Now, I usually cut 4 petals out at a time meaning that I am actually cutting through 8 layers at once. You can cut out as many or as few petals at a time as you want. 

We need 16 large petals, then 16, 8, 8, 8, and just 3 of the smallest petals. 

Forth step: 

Assembling those tiers!

First tier:

Fold over the lower edges of each of the 16 largest petals, angling slightly outward.

Crease the folds 1”-1 1/2” up and glue them in place. 

The folds should form a little triangle at the bottom of the petal, like so. 

Play around with the angles of the folds to create wider and more narrow petals. I like to fold each of the petals slightly different. 

Now, curl the petal tips back with the back of the scissors like curling a ribbon. Press the back of the scissors against the paper and pull. Don’t apply too much pressure or the paper will tear. 

Should look something like this. 

The first tier of petals gets glued to the circle with the ends about 2” in. 

Just put a quick zigzag of hot glue on the back of the petal and stick it down. 

First tier done!

Second tier: fold, glue, and curl the tips on the next 16 petals. Glue these petals down 1/2” closer to the center and in between the petals on the last tier. 

And that’s 2 tiers down!

Third tier: fold, glue, and curl the tips on the next 8 petals. Glue these petals down 1/2” closer to the center and in between every other petal on the second tier. 

And, there we go! I have jumped ahead and already started on the fourth tier!

Forth tier: fold, glue, and curl the tips on the next 8 petals. Glue these petals down 1/2” closer to the center and in between the petals on the last tier. 

Awesome!

Fifth tier: fold, glue, and curl the tips on the last set of 8 petals. Glue these petals down 1/2” closer to the center and in between the petals on the 4th tier. 

Almost there!

Sixth tier: (If you can even call it that) fold, glue, and curl the tips on the last 3 petals. Glue these petals down at random with the ends crossing over the center of the flower.

Just like that!

Fifth step: 

The center!

Cut (4) 8” x 1/2” paper strips and glue them into rings with a 1/4” overlap. Use these 4 rings to make the globe for the center. (Ignore that fifth ring, that is just sitting there to confuse you.)

Glue them all together and we have a globe! (If you would rather, use a 3” foam ball and skip this globe making.)

Now we need to cut out 16 spear shaped petals. 

Pattern shape and dimensions are in the last photo. 

Glue the first 8 spear shaped petals around the globe/ball, so that the tips meet in the top center. 

Glue the next 8 spear shaped petals, covering the seams of the previous 8. 

Some of these final petals are glued all the way down and others I leave sticking up a little. 

Let’s glue this spiky ball down into the center of the Dahlia and we are DONE!!!

Here Are the patterns. 

(Please note: Because this is a photo, it probably won’t print to the correct size.)

Enjoy and fill your home with big beautiful flowers!