How to make a paper dahlia

The dahlia is a unique flower. Each petal is rounded, creating a dramatic look for even a small dahlia. You can recreate this look using textured paper and a hot glue gun. You can cut out the petals in batches to speed up the process of making this decorative item. Then roll the petals individually and glue them to a center ball for a sturdy display.

This completed project looks great in practically any decor. Place a single stem dahlia in a vase in your guest room, living room or kitchen. Dahlias symbolize dignity and elegance, making them the perfect decorative item to elevate a contemporary home. They also symbolize commitment and a bond, so they are excellent housewarming gift for good friends and lovers.

Materials
- Textured white tissue paper
- Scissors
- Hot glue gun
- 1" round styrofoam ball
- Green wire for stem

Instructions
1. Cut a long strip of white textured paper, approximately 2" x 12."

2. Cut this strip into a set of six 2" x 2" squares.

3. Cut a second strip similarly, but this time making five 1" x 2" rectangles.

4. Turn one of the 1" x 2" rectangles on its side so that you can cut into the longer 2" side. Make a series of small cuts along this side, approximately 1/3" in height each. This gives you a rectangle with fringe along one edge.

5. Roll that piece up from left to right with the fringe at the top. Hot glue the bottom right corner to the rolled up piece to secure it closed.

6. Use your fingers to fold the fringe down, peeling it out away from the center rolled up portion of paper.

7. Hot glue the bottom of that piece to the styrofoam ball with the fringed part of the paper sticking straight up.

8. Place the remaining 1" x 2" rectangles on top of one another.

9. Fold those rectangles in thirds. Cut along the folds. You now have a stack of 1" tall rectangles.

10. It's time to turn these into petals. Cut a diagonal line from the middle of the right side to the center of the top, rounding it off slightly as it reaches the top. Repeat on the left side. The petals are rounded at the top and still rectangular at the bottom.

11. Separate each of the petals from one another. Roll each petal, hot gluing it to itself at the base to keep it closed.

12. Repeat steps 8 - 11 with the six 2" x 2" squares that you cut out at the beginning of this project. You'll now have a set of small petals and a set of taller petals.

13. Hot glue the petals to the styrofoam base, placing the shorter petals closest to the fringed center that you've already adhered, and adding the taller petals on the outer edges. Note that all of the petals should be glued in such a manner that they point upward in the same direction.

14. Insert wire stem into the center of the bottom of the styrofoam ball.

15. Place completed flower in a base or vase for display.