How to Make Crepe Paper Wisteria – This is one of those glorious DIYS that *looks* so much more complicated than it is. Easy, inexpensive DIY’s are my jam.
Since Christmas, my kids have BIG TIME gotten on the seasonal decoration train. We’ve adopted the area around our kitchen table as the designated the seasonal decoration spot. I used it to create a pretty holiday tablescape, we cut out dozens of paper snowflakes late December to carry us through January, and we put together a little Valentine’s mobile for February.
Now that we’re done with the winter holiday season (and St. Patrick’s Day is such a short window), I’m feeling all kinds of spring-y vibes. I made a crepe paper leaf garland for some bright, happy green, but wanted something colorful and floral around the table.
I saw a GORGEOUS installation at an Anthropologie in Las Vegas last year that was made out of cupcake liners and purple balloons (people are so creative!). I’ve thought about it ever since. While there isn’t space for something of that magnitude in my house, I still wanted something similar (but simpler). So, I took to Pinterest and soon found there were dozens and dozens of tutorials for making similar ones out of tissue or crepe paper.
I’ve done a lot with tissue paper (since it’s just so darn inexpensive) but this was my first time working with crepe beyond the cheap-o paper streamers I’ve bought for parties. Real crepe (sold in rolls about 20-inches wide) is much higher quality, maintains its stretch, and is thicker than the stuff you buy at party shops. I ordered a few rolls from here in an ombre purple-pink palate for some dimension. You could certainly use other colors (or all one color, or just two colors, etc.), but I went with purple and a lavender-y pink that are lovely. Surprisingly, the rolls are only about $1.30 each, so even with paying shipping the end result is very inexpensive!
Here’s how I made it…
1. Cut 3-4″ wide strips of crepe.
2. Fold about 2-2.5″ lengths all the way across until you have a neat rectangle (it’s okay if there’s a tiny bit leftover at the end).
3. Cut out a balloon shape. I didn’t use a template for this, figuring that if each set of petals was slightly different in shape it could only add to the effect. I also made sure to cut so that the grain (the lines) went horizontally across the width of my balloon shapes. This helped as I was shaping petals. If you accidentally do it vertically, it will still work, but you may not have as much control over shaping the petals.
4. Twist the narrow end of the “balloon” 2-3 times. Fold the twist inward on itself toward the center of the petal. Gently shape the petal into a curve.
5. Repeat, repeat, repeat until you have plenty of petals in every color you plan to use. I wanted each strand to be slightly different, so for some I used 12 dark purple, 10 medium purple, and 8-9 pink. For others, I used 10 dark, 15 medium, and 12 light.
6. Thread the petals. Cut a length (as long as you like–I did about 15-20 inch lengths) of embroidery thread (you can also just use a double strand of regular thread). Thread your needle and tie a knot at the end.
Poke the needle through the “knot” you created by twisting and folding. The petal should open downward, so start with the darkest color you plan to use and work your way up to the top. Repeat with all the petals. Arrange petals facing opposite directions to create more dimension (rather than stacking them perfectly one on top of the other).
When you get near a transition between colors (i.e. dark to medium or medium to light), overlap a few petals. For instance, you may go dark-medium-dark-medium-medium-medium-medium, etc.) to create a more gradual transition/ombre effect. You don’t have to do this, it’s just my personal preference. You can see how it looks above.
7. Make lots of strands! Continue threading petals on the strands, and make enough strands that you have a nice cluster.
8. Tie to a craft hoop (I used a 12-inch hoop, but you could use a 14-inch hoop if you want a bigger one) and arrange at varying heights. Hang from a chandelier (or from a command hook hung from the ceiling). Alternatively, you can hang the strands directly from your chandelier. My friend Anna said she thought they’d look lovely tied to a bar or branch in a nursery. I LOVE THAT IDEA!!!
SUGGESTED MATERIALS:
- Lilac Crepe (my dark color)
- Taffy Pink Crepe (my medium color)
- Carnation Pink Crepe (my light color)
- Embroidery Thread
- 12-Inch Hoop or 14-Inch Hoop (sometimes called a Macrame hoop)
- Command Hook
Happy Crafting!
I cannot wait to make this!
Have you made it?
Yes,I made it . But it is not so much cute. Tissue paper pom-pom is better.
Sooooo cute!!
You did such and awesome job! I do not think I would have the patience to make that!
Absolutely stunning and beautiful.
I have been wanting to make wisteria for my 5 year old daughter forever. But unfortunately I don’t get those beautiful pastel shades in crepe or for that matter in any type of paper where I live.
I only get solid dark colours which don’t give the same effect.
I just feel happy looking at others making these with such lovely pleasant colours.
Oh, I’m so sorry you can’t find great colors where you live! That’s such a bummer! Wishing you well!
Absolutely stunning!!! Thank you for the tutorial!!
This would look great if the petals were more natural looking, going from large on top to smaller towards the bottom like real wisteria flowers do. If I use this method, I’ll do the petals big to small.
Sounds like a good idea!
This is beautiful, soft and gentle at the same time. Love, Love Love it!!!
Oh, thank you! We just love it!
Was one roll of crepe paper in each color enough to make a project the size of the one shown? Love this!
Ellen – Yes! I still had a bit leftover when I was done. 🙂
Thank you for this tutorial. This is so cool, I can’t wait to try this.
Yay! I hope you love how it turns out!
Did you fold over the rectangle to get two petals? Is each petal one layer of crepe paper? How wide are your petals? This is so pretty! I’m going to make some for my light on my desk at work!!
Noelle – I have the step-by-step instructions in between each photo. 🙂 I fold each 3-4″ strip of crepe over over in 2 – 2 1/2″ lengths until I reach the end, then I get as many petals as possible from each strip. (You can see in the photos, there’s a little stack). So there are several petals that come out of each cut (since you’re cutting through several folds at once). In the end, each petal is a single layer. And as for width, you can cut them as big or as small as you like, and even make them in decreasing size like real wisteria if you like! I hope that helps! I bet it’d look so cheery over your desk!
Gorgeous, where do you get the crepe paper?
Thank you! I bought my crepe from Just Artifacts.
Hi! I want to do this for my wedding. How can i attach it to an arch? Thank you!
Heather – How fun! I’ve never attached it to an arch, but I’d imagine you could tie it onto the arch with thread 🙂 If it’s a steep arch, you may want to add extra support with clear tape.
This very Nice and lovely l love it and gonna try out how donyou meid thé green leafs thank you Katrien
I used this tutorial! 🙂
I have a lot of coffee filter petals left over from my daughter’s wedding. So I am going to try using them, they are the same shape, a little narrower at the bottom. I dye my own coffee filters and after they dry I fold then into an 1/8 then cut and you get 8 petals from each coffee filter. The coffee filters are $1 at the dollar tree. The paint is apple barrel diluted with water. I put it in an clean marshmallow fluff plastic jar then put a couple filters in the paint, close the lid tightly a shake to cover the filter. It is so inexpensive $1 for the Pack of 1 00 filters and $.50 for the paint from Walmart. They are so durable if the get wrinkled just spray a mist of water and they come right back. They don’t tear easily and will last for years.
I made a lot of roses so I had to mist them a bit, because they were getting packed in bags to use at the wedding.
I hope this is helpful for other crafters who may have these items already at home.
What a great tip! Thank you so much for sharing Trudy!