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How To Make Flowers With Dennison Crepe Paper (Vintage Booklet - 1948)
The instructions here teach you the fundamental principles of crepe paper flower making. When
you have learned these basic steps and assembled a
few flowers, you will find it very easy to duplicate
any real flower in crepe paper.
If you have never worked with crepe paper, it will be
helpful to practice some of the more often used
processes before trying to make any finished flowers.
For example, practice wrapping stem wires and
adding leaves as you wrap until you can do it tightly
and smoothly. This is one of the more important
steps in flower making.
Cutting separate petals and strips of petals are other processes you should know how to do easily.
Fastening the flower together with tie wire and cutting the surplus paper below the fastening is
also important.
No. 1: The Grain Of Crepe Paper
It is important to know that when crepe paper is slipped from the wrapper the grain runs the 20
width of the folded piece of paper. The little lines in the crepe paper, or in other words, the grain,
must always run from top to bottom of a petal or leaf unless directions for a particular flower
definitely state otherwise.
The direction of the grain is always indicated on the pattern with three short lines. Remember
this important fact when you are cutting petals or leaves so that they may stand erect or be
stretched into correct shape.
No. 2: How To Cut A Strip Across The Grain
Slip the crepe paper from the wrapper the stated width and, using the edge of the wrapper as a
guide, cut across the entire folded thickness with large sharp shears. In this way you always cut
the strip the desired width across the grain, Fig. 1.
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No. 3: To Make Patterns
First trace the patterns on tissue paper. Paste the tracing on lightweight cardboard and cut out.
The wrapper in which the crepe paper comes will often answer. This method keeps patterns
intact for future use.
Never cut a single leaf or petal. Cut a
number at one time. This is done by
cutting a strip across the grain about
1/2 wider than the depth of the
pattern to be used. Unfold the strip of
crepe paper and starting with the two
ends together, refold three times thus
making eight thicknesses of single
crepe, or fold twice (4 thicknesses)
of Duplex Crepe. Pin or hold the
pattern on the folded thicknesses and
cut all at once, Fig. 2.
When strips of petals are to be made,
cut and fold the strip as directed above, then while the strip is in the several thicknesses, make
slashes the required depth and distance apart. Shape the upper part of the petal with the pattern,
Fig. 3. This may often be done without actually placing the pattern on the folded strip. It is
usually better to pin the strip in several places while cutting the strips of petals to prevent
slipping.
No. 4: Double Petals Or Leaves
Cut one strip of each color the desired width. Stretch slightly to prevent wrinkling. Place one
strip on the other and fold so that when the petals are cut out the colors will alternate in the pile.
Lay a pile of petals on the table. Hold securely at the base with the left hand. Lift up the tops of
all petals except the bottom one. Paste the top edge of this. Press the next petal down on it.
Continue in this way until all petals are pasted together in groups of two, Fig. 4.
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No. 5: Fluting The Edges
This means stretching the edge of the crepe
paper to give a ruffled effect. Hold the edge
of the petal between the thumbs and
forefingers of both hands with the fingers
close together. Pull forward with one hand
and push away with the other. Repeat as
necessary, taking care not to place the
fingers in the newly made fluting. You may
often flute several thicknesses of petals at
one time, Fig. 5.
No. 6: Cupping To Shape Petals
Hold either side of a petal (or several thicknesses of
petals) with the thumbs and forefingers of both
hands as shown in Fig. 6. The instructions for the
individual flower you are making will say whether
to hold the petal at the top, base or half way down.
Gradually stretch the entire width of the petal with
both hands, pushing the petal carefully and evenly
into the desired shape, Fig. 6.
No. 7: When Curling Petals
(a) With Scissors Blade Hold as in Fig. 7-A. with the edge of the blade resting lightly on the
under side of the petal and the thumb on top. Draw the blade up and along the petal thus making
it curl.
(b) With a Knitting Needle Place the needle on the edge of the petal in a slanting position, as
shown in Fig. 7-B. With the thumbs and fingers roll the paper tightly around the needle, then pull
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the needle out. Sometimes, before the needle is removed, the crepe paper is pushed together on it
from either end thus crinkling it, Fig. 7-C.
No. 8: Fastening With Wire
(a) Single Wire Wrap one end or the
center of a single piece of spool wire a given
length once around the base of the flower.
Twist the ends together once or twice. Cut the
surplus paper off just below the wire
fastening, either straight across or in a point
according to the particular flower being made,
cutting the paper at both sides. Bring the wire
ends down over the opposite sides and twist
underneath, Fig. 8-A.
(b) Double Wires For large heavy
flowers, use two fastenings of wire. Place the
second one over the first, bringing the ends
down on opposite sides. Cut away the surplus
paper and twist the wires underneath the
flower base, Fig. 8-B.
No. 9: Fringed Crepe Paper
Cut the crepe paper into a strip across the grain the required width as described in Instruction No.
2. Stretch the strip fully for a fine fringe and less for a coarse one. Fold the strip in half twice, pin
if necessary to keep it from slipping, and cut with the grain, making the cuts as close together
and as deep as necessary but always leaving 1/2 or more at the opposite edge uncut, Fig. 9.
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No. 10: To Wrap Wire Stems
Stems are wrapped with strips of crepe paper cut across the grain a given width. These strips may
be single or doubled through the middle
lengthwise according to the size of the
flower and the length of the stem. Duplex
Crepe may be used for stem wrapping but it
should be cut in narrower strips and care
must be taken to keep the same side of the
strip out and to make the wrapping very
tight.
When starting the wrapping, put a bit of
paste over the base of the flower or calyx
and wrap the end of the crepe paper strip
around it two or three times very tightly.
Then, with the long end of the strip coming
at either the left or right of the stem,
whichever is easier for you, hold the stem
wire with one hand placed just above the
winding strip. Twirl the stem wire around and around with the other hand, at the same time
stretching the strip and guiding it diagonally downward, Fig. 10. When the end of the wire is
reached, put a bit of paste on the end and continue twisting tightly. Break or cut off the end.
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No. 11: Adding Leaves Or Extra Length To The Stem
(a) Leaves Wrap the stem as directed above to the point
where leaf is to be placed. Crepe paper leaves are gathered
slightly at the base, held close to the stem with the right
hand at a point where the wrapping will cover it at least
1/2 or more and the wrapping continued, Fig. 11. It is not
necessary to hold the leaf in place with paste or to twist the
wire around the stem. Artificial leaves with wire stems are
added in the same way, with the wire stem extending the
required length.
(b) To Lengthen or Strengthen Wire Stems Wrap the
stem to within an inch or two of the point where the extra
wire is to be added. Place the second wire beside the first
one overlapping 1 to 2. Continue wrapping with the crepe
paper. It will not be necessary to twist the two pieces
together.
No. 12: Wiring Petals Or Leaves
(a) Cut a piece of covered wire 1 or more longer than the
petal or leaf to be wired. Lay wire on a flat surface and
brush paste over one side. Place the pasted side of the
wire on the under side of the petal with the extra length
projecting below the base. Press down firmly until dry,
Fig. 12-A.
(b) To Wire a Petal Cut in Two Pieces Lay a piece of
wire, pasted on both sides, 1/8 from the straight edge of
the petal then place the other half of the petal on it,
overlapping 1/8 and press down firmly, Fig. 12-b.
No. 13: Stretching Crepe Paper
Cut the crepe paper the required width, then if it is to be only slightly stretched, refold into 4
thicknesses. Grasp the two folded ends in your hands and stretch. If the paper is to be well or
fully stretched, stretch a single thickness or a double thickness in the same way. This may be
more easily done by two persons, one at each end and with the ends of the strip wound two or
three times around a ruler, Fig. 13.
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No. 14: To Color Petals
Newpastel, Pastello, or similar chalky crayons, dry pigment powder or cake rouge may be
used to tint flower petals and leaves for realistic effects. Rub the coloring in with the grain of the
crepe. The crayon may be used directly on the crepe paper and then rubbed in with a small pad of
cotton. Avoid all abrupt edges or heavy marks unless designed for some particular flower. Make
the coloring heavier at the edges and fade it off toward the center. Sometimes water color paint
may be used, or the color may be soaked from crepe paper in a very little water and applied with
a small paint brush.
No. 15: Shaping Flowers
Take hold of the flower stem just below the
blossom and hold the wired petal between the
thumb and forefinger of the other hand. Draw
the fingers up and along the petal rolling it
outward or inward as the case may be, to shape
it correctly, Fig. 14. Hold leaves at their bases
and shape in the same way.
Glossary
Terms used in Making Crepe Paper Flowers:
Calyx The cup shaped part under
the blossom usually green.
Duplex Crepe A ready-made
double thickness crepe paper usually different colors on the two sides.
Petals The separate sections which make up a flower to determine its color.
Pistil The center of a flower usually yellow and often surrounded with fine
stamens.
Pollen Fine powder-like material on end of stamens, pistil and sometimes on the
petals usually made of very finely cut bits of crepe paper pasted in place.
Stamens Small fringe-like pieces which surround the pistil or appear separately in the
center of a flower.
Tie Wire Fine cotton covered wire which comes on spools and is used to fasten petals
together. It is not actually tied but rather the two ends are twisted together tightly around
the flower to hold securely.
Source: How To Make Flowers With Dennison Crepe Paper (1948)
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