The Ultimate Beginner Guide to Diy Carnations: Supplies, Folding, and Styling
A realistic paper bloom requires a secure, stable base. Take an 8-inch piece of 18-gauge floral wire and bend the tip into a small 5mm shepherd's hook with pliers. Dab a pea-sized drop of hot glue inside the bend to anchor the paper strip so the blossom won't slip down the stem.
Begin wrapping the fringed band around the bent wire tip. Keep the lower edge tightly gathered while letting the ruffled top fan outward naturally. As you roll, pinch and pleat the base every half-turn, adding small dots of glue to hold the tension. Once the full length is wrapped, you will have a dense, globe-like carnation bloom.
Carnations are botanically distinct for their elongated, pale-green tube calyx below the petals. To recreate this:
- Cut a 1.5-inch by 2-inch rectangle of 180g green crepe paper, cutting triangular teeth into the top edge.
- Wrap this rectangle tightly around the pinched paper base, covering the raw cut edges.
- Secure the calyx with floral tape, pulling it taut to release the waxy adhesive as you wind it down the wire stem.
