How to Make Tissue Paper Roses

Tissue paper roses are inexpensive to make, but the result is a handmade decoration that's quite beautiful. They can be used to decorate everything from a wedding reception hall to a wrapped gift. The size of the rose depends on the size of tissue paper you use to make the rose petals. It's optional whether you add a green stem and leaves. Here's how to make tissue paper roses in a matter of minutes.

Steps

Select a color of tissue paper. It can be white, pink, red or another rose color.
Fold the tissue paper and cut 8 3-inch (8 cm) squares. Trim off the edges of each square individually just to make each one slightly unique, as real rose petals are.
Stack 4 of the pieces of tissue paper and trim off 3 corners. Repeat with the other 4 pieces of tissue paper.
Make the paper rose petals look more realistic.
- Place the stack of 4 pieces of tissue paper in your palm.
- Set a pen on top of the stack near the pointed corner with your other hand.
- Curl the edge up around the pen.
- With the pen still in place, scrunch the tissue paper in your palm, so it's not too smooth.
- Repeat with the other stack of 4 pieces of tissue paper.
Form the paper rose petals into a tissue paper rose.
- Start at the center and roll a petal into a tight whorl.
- Add the rest of the petals, so the top edges are the same height. This will make the paper rose petals look more realistic. Flatten the outer petals away from the center, so they resemble a rose that opened up.
- Twist the bottom of the petals together underneath the rose. This part should be about an inch long, so you can grasp it.
Secure the paper rose petals with the wire.
- Cut a 4-inch (10 cm) piece of thin-gauge wire.
- Wrap it around underneath the rose, where the paper rose petals are twisted together.
Make the stem: Measure and cut a 33-inch-long (84-cm-long) piece of heavy wire or pipe cleaner for the stem.
Fold the wire into thirds to make it the right thickness for a stem. Twist for a neater look.
Make the leaves: Cut 4 rectangles out of green or any desired color of tissue paper or crepe paper for the leaves. They should each measure 3 inches (8 cm) long.
Trim the rectangles into the shape of leaves.
Roll the leaves around a pen and scrunch them to look realistic.
Wrap the stem in green florist tape starting at the top (if you're not using pipe cleaner.) Twist the stem around the bottom of the rose.
Secure the leaves in a staggered fashion.