DIY Your Own Faux Hydrangea Bouquets For Year Round Blooms

Paper flowers can be a great alternative to other faux blooms made of plastic or fabric, offering a softness and a delicacy matched only by real petals. While there are many ways to make flowers out of various papery materials, including newspaper and coffee filters, the soft flexibility of napkins and similar items are some of the most realistic. One ingenious Instagram DIYer, however, shows off how to make gorgeous hydrangea flowers using just napkins or paper towels and some paint. The result is some uniquely shaped paper flowers.

Not only can these flowers be created from readily available materials you probably already have at home or for pennies, but you can customize them in a size and color for your needs. You can put them on a traditional stalk, but they can also be strung on wire, string, or other materials that can facilitate attaching them in other ways. You can also swap out napkins for tissue or crepe paper for different textures and thicknesses.

Use a square of napkin or paper towel and fold it three times, drawing a petal formation on the folded triangle and cutting out the shape. Dye the petals your desired color using a mix of acrylic paint and water (you can also use food coloring or start with colored napkins). Use a brush and add bits of another color to mimic the variations that hydrangeas often have. Allow them to dry while completing the stalk, which you can make by rolling another napkin or paper towel tightly until it stands solid and adding some Elmer's glue. Use the brush to add a coat of green paint. When everything is dry, spread out the folded flower pieces, poking a hole in the center with scissors. Take each outer petal shape and twist slightly to create the texture of hydrangea petals. Push the stalk through the center and stack other pieces atop to create the flower, securing them with hot glue.

These flowers are perfect for arrangements alone or with other paper flower techniques like turning coffee filters into beautiful roses or DIY paper flowers made from crepe paper. They also make pretty additions to wreaths, swags, and other decor. Or, use them as beautiful gift wrapping accents. String them along a piece of twine to make fun botanical garlands for party decorations. For a romantic look in your bedroom, use the hydrangeas in this showstopping flower canopy.