Easy Book Page Flower Tutorial: Turn Old Books Into Flowers
If you’re looking for a creative and eco-friendly craft project, making flowers out of old book pages is a fantastic option. Not only does it give new life to old books, but it also creates stunning and unique decora for your home. In this tutorial, we’ll guide you step-by-step through the process of the easiest way to create beautiful paper roses. With just a few supplies and a little bit of time, you’ll have gorgeous roses that can be used in various decorative ways.
YouTube Video Tutorial:
Supplies Needed
- Vintage book pages (around 20 pages per large flower)
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Champagne glass
- Wide mouth mason jar lid
Steps to Create Book Page Flowers
Step 1: Trace Circles Onto Book Pages
Using the wide mouth mason jar lid, trace circles onto the pages of an old book. Each flower will use approximately 20 circles which will require several pieces of paper.
Step 2: Cut Out the Circles
Carefully cut out the circles you traced. Try to make your cuts as clean and precise as possible to ensure uniformity in your flower petals.
Step 3: Begin Placing Book Page Circles Around the Rim of the Champagne Glass
Take your champagne glass and start placing one book page circle around the rim. Place half of the circle inside the glass and the other half outside using your pointer finger.
Step 4: Overlap and Repeat
Repeat the process, overlapping each piece by approximately 1/3 of the circle. A standard champagne glass rim will typically require three circles for the first layer. This will be the bottom of the petal.
Step 5: Secure with Hot Glue
Once you have your first layer, secure each piece with a little bit of glue from the hot glue gun on the folded edge. Be careful not to use too much glue, as you want the petal shape to look natural and not stiff.
Step 6: Continue Building Layers
Continue layering your book page circles around the rim of the champagne glass, securing each layer with a dab of hot glue. Overlap each new layer with the previous one by about 1/3. The layering will give your flower a full and dimensional look.
Step 7: Final Touches
After you’ve built up enough layers to achieve the desired fullness for your flower, turn it over and gently remove it from the champagne glass. If needed, add a bit more glue to the middle of the flower to hold all the layers together securely.
How To Create Different Book Page Flower Sizes
All of the flowers above were created using the same size circles. Here are a few tips to vary the flower size.
Small Book Page Flowers
Once the center of your flower is closed by overlapping book pages, you can choose to stop and keep the flower size small. All of the petals will essentially be the same size.
Large Book Page Flowers
Once the center of the book page flower is closed by overlapping book page circles, add the remaining circles by only 1/3 inside the rim and the remaining 2/3 outside of the rim. This will make the outer petals larger than the center petals creating an overall larger flower.
Tips for Creating Perfect Book Page Flowers
- Choose the Right Book Pages: Older books with yellowed pages often give a more vintage and charming look to your flowers. Avoid glossy pages as they can be harder to work with.
- Cutting Circles: Use sharp scissors for clean cuts. If you have a circle cutter, it can make this step much faster and more precise.
- Glue Control: A hot glue gun with a fine tip allows for better control, especially when adding small amounts of glue to secure the layers.
- Experiment with Sizes: In addition to the tips above for varying flower size, try using different sizes of mason jar lids and champagne glasses to create various sizes of flowers. Mixing small and large flowers can add more interest to your arrangements.
- Personalize Your Flowers: Add a touch of color by lightly brushing the edges of the book page circles with watercolor paint or ink. This can add a subtle pop of colorful flowers.
Can I use any type of paper for this project?
While you can technically use any type of paper, book pages are ideal because they are typically thinner and easier to manipulate. Thicker paper or scrapbook paper may not curve as naturally.
What if I don’t have a champagne glass?
You can use any round object with a similar diameter to a champagne glass. The important thing is to have something that helps you shape the petals.
How do I store these flowers?
Store them in a dry place, away from direct sunlight to prevent the pages from fading. You can also lightly spray them with a clear sealant to help preserve them.
Can I use these flowers outdoors?
Since they are made of paper, they are best used indoors. If you want to use them outdoors, consider placing them in a sheltered area where they won’t be exposed to moisture.
Can I use something other than book pages?
Scrapbook paper, magazine pages, old sheet music, craft paper and tissue paper are also great for making flowers.
Fun Ways to Use Book Page Flowers
Pretty Wreaths: Create a stunning wreath by attaching your diy book page flowers to a foam or grapevine wreath form. You can add other elements like ribbons or greenery to customize it further.
Bouquets: Arrange several diy book page roses in a vase for a unique and literary-inspired bouquet. These make lovely centerpieces for tables or desks. These would also make a beautiful wedding bouquet or wedding day decor.
Garlands: String several flowers together to make a garland. Drape it over a mantel, window, or doorway for a whimsical touch.
Gift Wrapping: Use a single book page flower as a unique topper for a gift. It adds a personal and artistic touch to any present.
Wall Art: Create a piece of wall art by arranging book page flowers on a canvas or in a shadow box. This can be a beautiful and meaningful addition to your home decor.
Creating book page flowers is a delightful and creative way to repurpose old books. Whether you’re making them for yourself or as a gift, these easy paper flowers are sure to impress. Enjoy crafting and experimenting with different techniques to make each beautiful flower uniquely yours!
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Thank you so much for sharing!
My flowers may not look as beautiful as yours, however I will have fun as your directions are so clear, precise, and encouraging.
Advice for adding stems to display in a vase?
Hi there! I haven’t tried it yet but I think wood skewers or small wood dowels would work great! You could paint or stain them or even mod podge book pages onto them. This is a great idea and I’m going to have to give it a try! Hope you enjoy making these!