How to Craft Paper Tulips (Easy Instructions + Video Guide)

This easy guide and video tutorial teaches how to make beautiful paper tulips. Written in a beginner-friendly way, we’ll show you step-by-step how to create stunning tulip paper flowers in no time!

Hello Craftaholics! Do you love tulips? Fresh, colorful tulips can brighten up any room—who wouldn’t? Unfortunately, where I live, fresh tulips aren’t available. So, I started making my own, and trust me, paper tulips can look just as beautiful as real ones! Plus, they last longer, and you can create them in any color you like, making them perfect for any occasion.

Last time, I made an origami tulip, and today, we’ll be making 3D paper tulips, also called kirigami tulips, that look lifelike and elegant. These tulips are perfect for decorating your home, creating beautiful bouquets or garlands, and adding a special touch to gift wrapping or table decor. 

This craft may seem tricky if you’re new to it, but don’t worry! Our step-by-step guide will walk you through it. And don’t stress if you make a few mistakes along the way—it’s all part of the learning process. Plus, the materials are inexpensive, so you can easily try again. So, grab your supplies, and let’s make some beautiful DIY tulips that you can proudly display or gift!

The cost of this project is minimal, making it an affordable craft for anyone. You will only need a few basic supplies and some colored craft papers. depending on the materials you already have at home, the cost of buying craft papers shouldn’t cross a dollar or 2.

How to Make Paper Tulip Flowers

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1: First Half Fold

Select medium-light-weight colored craft papers for this craft. Select a colored craft paper for the paper tulip pattern and green colored craft paper for the stem and leaf parts. Prepare a 4”x 4” square sheet for the tulip.

Fold the paper in half vertically.

Tips: You can use lightweight cardstock or thick craft papers for this craft if you want it to last longer. Light craft paper or origami paper can do the work but the craft will turn out fragile.

Step 2: Second Half Fold

Fold the current paper in half again, vertically. Unfold the entire paper. This should leave 3 creases; dividing the paper into 4 even parts.

Tips: You can use a bamboo folder to make neat folds so they leave neat creases. If you don’t have a bamboo folder you can use the outer side of your thumb and apply pressure along the fold evenly.

Step 3: Diagonal Creases

Fold the paper in half twice like before, but this time make horizontal folds. Unfold the entire paper again.

Now, make diagonal half-folds and then unfold. The base creases are done.

Step 4: Cut Slits on 4 Sides

Notice that the horizontal and vertical grid creases formed 16 even squares. Use a pair of scissors to make slits between the 2 middle squares, on each open edge.

Step 5: Cutting the Slits on Edge

Hold the paper firmly and cut a slit between the 2 middle squares on the edge. Cut the length of a square. Do not cross the length of a square for a slit.

Step 6: Make Folds on both Sides of the Slits

We will work on both sides of the slits now. Fold the open corner of both sides of the slit towards their opposite closed corners.

Similarly, fold in the sides of the rest of the slits.

Step 7: Folding the Sides of the Slits

You can use the grid creases as your guide while making any folds for this craft. Hold a side of a slit and join its open corner to the diagonally opposite corner.

Step 8: Join the Open Folds

Apply glue on the triangle folds, between all 4 slits.

Join the 2 adjacent glued parts to close that side.

Step 9: Joining the Open Folds

You can apply glue on both parts or one part, depending on the thickness of the paper.

Tips: Apply glue on both parts if you’re using cardstock paper and apply glue on one part if you’re using craft paper.

Step 10: Joining all 4 Open Folds

Now, join the next adjacent parts of the paper pattern.

One by one join the open folds on 4 sides. Allow the glue to dry completely.

Step 11: Joining the Last Open Folds

After joining the last folds, allow the glue to dry.

Step 12: Preparing Paper for the Stem and Leaf

Cut out leaf shapes from green-colored craft paper and a 2”x 4” green strip for the stem. Coil the strip diagonally from a corner to create a straw-like shape. Apply glue on the open end to secure the shape.

Step 13: Making the Stem

Coil the 2″ x 4″ paper to make the stem part. Apply glue to secure the coiled paper.

Tips: Start coiling the paper slightly diagonally, from a corner, to form a neat straw-like shape. Apply glue at the end to secure the shape. Use a quilling tool to start the coil if you find it hard to coil the paper.

Step 14: Cut 3 or 4 Slits on the Stem

Use a pair of scissors to cut 1 cm slits on an open end of the paper stem.

Tips: Cut 1 cm deep slits but not longer than that. Cutting 3 to 4 slits should do the work.

Step 15: Joining Flower with Stem

Take the paper flower and the paper stem. Apply glue on the outer sides of the straw slits.

Join the glued parts of the paper stem with the paper tulip on its bottom closed side. Allow the glue to dry.

Step 16: Attach the Paper Leaves

Attach the paper leaves with the stem to complete the paper tulip craft.

Watch Complete Video Tutorial: Paper Tulips

Watch this step-by-step video to see how to create beautiful paper tulip flowers. We’ll show you how to prepare your tulip paper and assemble your DIY tulips with ease. Follow along to bring your tulips to life! Don’t forget to subscribe and turn on the notification bell to stay updated.

Tips for Beginners

If you’re new to making paper tulips, it’s normal for them not to turn out perfectly on your first try, it just takes some practice! Follow the tips, it should make things easier. 

• Selecting Paper for this Craft: Do not use thin or lightweight paper for this craft. Using light cardstock or thick craft paper is the best for this craft.
• How to avoid uneven petal shapes: Use a perfectly square sheet for the flower part. Make the base creases as neatly as possible. And lastly, cut the slits correctly, do not cross the length of a square and all 4 slits must be of the same length.
• How to Make Neat Creases: To make neat creases you must make neat folds. Use the open side of your thumb to apply pressure along the fold or use a bamboo folder.
• Which glue to use: Use regular white craft glue for this craft. Use a brush to apply glue only on the parts that must be joined.
• How to Coil the Paper for Stem: Use a quilling tool and start coiling from a corner. When coiling, start it slightly diagonally. This will give the stem a sturdy structure.

Here are some of our origami paper flower tutorials that you may also like.

• How to Make Paper Hyacinth Flowers
• DIY Crepe Paper Roses
• How to Make Origami Lotus
• How to make Paper Roses

This paper tulip project is a perfect combination of origami and paper craft. This project can help you perfect your folding and basic crafting skills. Use different sizes and colored papers for variation. If you re-create our kirigami tulips, please tag us on Facebook or Instagram (use #thecraftaholicwitch).

Happy Crafting!