Flowers & nature · Step-by-step guide
Layered Paper Carnation
Build a ruffled carnation from six nested petal units and a separate green calyx.
What you’ll need
- Six red paper squares
- One green square for the calyx
- A prepared paper stem
- Glue
Modular paper folding · Pleated petals & glued assembly
Make it, step by step.
9 steps · Original diagrams with English instructions
Prepare the pieces
Open image at full size ↗Set aside six red squares, one green square and a prepared stem.
Fold a petal base
Open image at full size ↗Crease both diagonals and midlines, collapse the square and fold the lower section upward as pictured.
Pleat the unit
Open image at full size ↗Repeat on all faces. Fold each face toward its center and fold again to make narrow pleats.
Make six units
Open image at full size ↗Repeat the folding sequence on all six red squares.
Open the pleats
Open image at full size ↗Spread each unit and arrange its folds into a small ruffled fan.
Nest the flower
Open image at full size ↗Apply glue near the bases and nest the six units together into the flower head.
Start the calyx
Open image at full size ↗Crease and collapse the green square. Stand one flap upright, open it and squash it flat. Repeat on all faces.
Shape the calyx
Open image at full size ↗Fold the sides inward, fold the upper flap down and repeat around the base. Open the middle slightly.
Assemble the carnation
Open image at full size ↗Glue the green calyx beneath the flower and attach the prepared stem.
Follow the diagrams alongside the step-by-step English instructions.
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