Dahlia Fold

by Donna Moore

Add beautiful paper bouquets to your cards, scrapbooks, and other projects.

Supplies

  • Circle punches

  • Double sided patterned paper

  • Cardstock

  • Adhesive


  • Note: To make folding more visible, a larger 3” circle was used for most of this demonstration.

Step-by-Step

  1. Step 1

    Punch one 1 ¼” cardstock circle and fold in fourths. Petals will be mounted on this base.

    For a full dahlia flower, punch eight circles from double-sided patterned paper for petals.

  2. Step 2

    Fold first patterned paper circle in half, trying to only crease the lower half to prevent folds in the upper part of the finished flower.

    Fold in half again and open.

    Decide which side should be the main background color (here, the red patterns is the main color). Flip over to show back side.

  3. Step 3

    In the lower two quadrants, fold a small petal shape upward using the fold marks as a guide.

    Turn over to the front side.

  4. Step 4

    Fold petal inward to the center like a paper airplane. (Picture A)

    Repeat for the other half. (Picture B)

    Repeat steps one through four to create seven more petals. This will make a full dahlia.

  5. Step 5

    Using the cardstock base from Step 1 as an evenly spaced mounting guide, adhere the first petal, aligning it at the center and at the fold line.

  6. Step 6

    Repeat process and adhere all 8 sections for a full dahlia.

  7. Step 7

    Finished project.

    Try creating flowers with one to eight petals.

Variations

  1. To create a flower bud, use slightly smaller single petals made from green paper for a stem base.

    For a frillier flower, use a scallop punch instead of plain circles.

Your Turn

You've seen the tutorial, now you try it! We've got a section of the gallery set aside for Dahlia Fold. Try this technique, then upload your artwork to the gallery. Show us your creations!

Questions and Comments

We'd love to get your feedback or questions. Leave your comment below.

Awesome Donna, I was scared to try but now loveeeeeeeee it!!! Thank you so much!
Deb  |  Sun Apr 13, 2008 at 11:12 AM
Is there a way that the link for this tutorial can be placed in the "Technique Spotlight" area of the "Gallery"? The only link there is to the gallery of photos submitted using this technique.

I love the way this looks! I can't wait to try it!

Melissa
MyMelissa  |  Sun Apr 20, 2008 at 7:44 AM
Melissa,
Sorry I didn't update this earlier. I added a link to all our latest tutorials in the technique spotlight section this morning. They should show up now.
beate  |  Sun Apr 20, 2008 at 7:56 AM
I am so excited that you fixed the sight now I can see the pictures. woo hoo
craft tonight
thanks so much
la
linda  |  Mon Apr 21, 2008 at 2:05 PM
loved this and can't wait to try it! i am new to this site and i have been spending hours, just wandering and learning and being i awe of all the talent and creativity! so many things to try, not enough time (i have housework and some reorganizing in the basement i need to be doing, but i keep spending time on this website instead! yikes...
paula (starsandcards55)  |  Sat May 3, 2008 at 4:56 PM
I sat down yesterday morning and just made dahlias one after the other, bliss.
Margaret  |  Mon May 26, 2008 at 3:38 AM
Like Paula (above), I am also new to this - thank you for this very instructional tutorial. I cant wait to give it a try.
Vianna  |  Thu May 29, 2008 at 3:53 PM
Wow! This is an awesome site! Thank you! Can't wait to get stared!
Liz  |  Mon Jun 2, 2008 at 11:05 AM
It is addictive trying to do this. For some reason eight 1 1/4" circles didn't fill up my base. Are you supposed put 4 petals on the folded lines first and then put the additional 4 on top in the empty spots?
Melissa  |  Fri Jun 20, 2008 at 5:26 AM
i dont understand the folding after the first fold in half(blushing)
nina  |  Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 3:04 PM
Thank you. I will share this with the ladies in my church group. They will be as delighted with it as I am. Thank you again for a great tutorial.
Margo
Margo Kudra  |  Tue Jul 29, 2008 at 4:46 AM
I absolutely loved this technique and used vellum to make a beautiful flower on the front of a wedding card. Thank you for the great technique and easy to follow directions!!!
Jonelle  |  Tue Sep 23, 2008 at 3:16 AM
Thank U for sharing. Super fantastic flowers
Else-DK  |  Sat Mar 21, 2009 at 6:59 AM
Hello again, wow!!!!! these petals are beautiful. Such talent . Love it.
Sandra Sellers  |  Thu May 14, 2009 at 5:00 AM
Is there a way I can print the Dahlia card out without all the extra stuff I don't need? I just need the directions to make the card. JW
Janet Wilson  |  Mon May 18, 2009 at 2:16 PM
Wonderful Idea Donna, I missed this before but am so inspired by this great tutorial!
Thanks, Sheila
Sheila  |  Thu Jul 23, 2009 at 3:24 PM
I must be doing something wrong! I did my eight folded circles but when I adhere them to the base circle, I end up with gaps between all the petals. All the samples I looked at in the gallery, the petals touched each other. Anyone know what I could be doing wrong?
Thanks!
Christy  |  Mon Jul 27, 2009 at 10:08 AM
That's terrific. tfs
Sandi  |  Sat Aug 22, 2009 at 9:51 PM

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