Make an Iris Flower!
Make a colorful paper iris flower using tissue paper, scissors, glue, and pipe cleaner; practice folding, cutting, and arranging petals safely.
Step-by-step guide to make a tissue paper iris flower
Step 1
Lay out your materials on a clean flat workspace so everything is easy to reach.
Step 2
Stack three tissue paper sheets in colors you like for the iris petals.
Step 3
Cut nine squares about 8 cm wide from the stacked tissue paper so you have three squares of each color.
Step 4
Fold each square in half and then fold it in half again to make a small folded square.
Step 5
Draw a rounded petal shape on the folded corner of each folded square with your pencil.
Step 6
Cut along the pencil line on each folded square to create petal shapes.
Step 7
Carefully unfold each cut piece to reveal the full petals.
Step 8
Cut a small bright rectangle of tissue paper about 4 cm by 10 cm for the flower center.
Step 9
Fold that small rectangle lengthwise once so the fringes will be even.
Step 10
Cut small slits along the long open edge of the folded rectangle to make a fringe without cutting all the way through and then roll the strip tightly and glue the end to hold the roll.
Step 11
Arrange the larger petals in a circle on the cardstock then glue them down and add the smaller petals on top then glue the fringed center into the middle and tuck one end of the pipe cleaner under the glued petals to make the stem and secure it with a little glue.
Step 12
Take a photo of your colorful iris and share your finished creation on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can I use instead of tissue paper if I can't find it?
If you don't have tissue paper, use crepe paper or thin colored printer paper and still cut nine 8 cm squares, fold and cut them the same way to make the petals.
My petals tore or won't open evenly after cutting — what should I do?
If the folded squares tear when you cut the rounded petal shape, use sharper scissors, redraw the pencil petal line slightly smaller than the folded corner, and cut slowly so the unfolded petals stay intact.
How can I adapt this activity for younger or older children?
For preschoolers, have an adult pre-cut the nine 8 cm tissue squares and the 4 cm by 10 cm fringe strip so they only draw and glue petals onto the cardstock, while older kids can make finer fringes, layer more petals, and design complex color patterns themselves.
How can we extend or personalize our iris flower project?
To personalize the iris, glue green tissue-paper leaves under the glued petals, twist two pipe cleaners together for a sturdier stem, and add a tiny dab of glitter glue to the fringed center before photographing your finished creation for DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to make a tissue paper iris flower
Paper Iris Flower Tutorial DIY Crafts
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How to Make Iris Flower With Paper/DIY Flower Making
Facts about paper flower crafts
🌸 The iris flower has about 300 species and is named after Iris, the Greek messenger goddess of the rainbow — no wonder they come in so many colors!
🎨 Tissue paper is super thin and translucent, so layering sheets makes bright, glowing petals for paper flowers.
✂️ Fold-and-cut techniques create mirror-image petals, so one neat fold can make lots of identical petals quickly.
🐝 Real irises attract pollinators like bees and butterflies with vivid colors and sweet nectar.
🧵 Pipe cleaners (chenille stems) are bendy and hold shape well, making them perfect for sturdy flower stems and fun details.
