Let's go over your basics of working with crepe paper
Paper Flower Techniques
Cupping and Stretching
Cupping is used to create a concave shape, most often for petals. To begin, place your thumbs on top of the paper near the center, your index and middle fingers on the back. Pull your fingers outward while thumbs press into the center. Stop before reaching the edges to avoid overstretching the entire piece.
Stretching widens the edge of the paper, often the top edge of a petal. Grasp the edge between your fingers and thumbs. Pull gently outward. Repeat as necessary, but be cautious, if you overstretch the crepe paper, you will not lose the crepe and cupping capability of the paper.
Fringing
To make a fringe, cut along the grain of the paper. Make your cuts as even as you can, but don’t fret too much over perfection.
Spindle
Gather toward the center of the paper. Twist one way and then the other. Unfurl the paper without losing the spindling texture of the paper.
Curling
The top edge of a petal can be curled to give it a more natural look. You can roll the edge around something like a paintbrush handle or skewer. The thinner the object, the tighter the curl. You can also hold the bottom of the petal in one hand, and pinch the middle of the paper between the paintbrush and your other thumb. Pull the paintbrush up toward the top edge to curl.
Laminating
Use laminating to bring together varying colors or different weights of paper layers of crepe paper. Spread a thin layer of tacky glue on the first paper. With the grain running in the same direction, lay the next strip on top. Rub along the grain to stick together.
Besides using tacky glue, you can use fusible webbing, adhesive sprays, ironing saran wrap as your adhesive glue to adhere the papers together, diluted white glue and much more!
Basic Tips for Working with Crepe Paper
Paper Grain
The texture of crepe, or the grain, is what gives the paper its stretch and durability. Templates for petals and leaves should indicate which direction the grain should run. Line up the template with the correct grain direction to ensure the crepe will behave properly later on. If you are cutting an element without a template, the “tall” dimension is the vertical length that will run with the grain. A length labeled “long” runs against.
Machine Lines
Don’t fret about machine lines! You’ll find these running throughout heavier crepe paper. Use them as guiding lines to make your petals the same size. If the petals are too big to cut between the lines, hide the lines along the bottom of the shapes. The lines will disappear if you stretch out the paper completely, but the structure or integrity of the paper will be compromised, resulting in less strength.
Paper Weight
If you use two differently weighted crepes to make the same flower, the end result won’t be the same. Using a heavier paper than called for will enlarge and distort the flower. Too lightweight, and the crepe won’t stretch as needed. Especially as you first dive into the world of paper flower making, try to match your crepe with what is recommended in the instructions.
Laminating
Layers of crepe can be glued together to strengthen thin paper or to combine colors. This is a useful technique for petals with different colors on each side or other elements featuring interesting colorwork.
Durability and Longevity
Crepe paper is paper, so keep your materials and finished products away from moisture. Store rolls and sheets of crepe where they won’t be wrinkled or crushed. To help your creations last, avoid displaying crepe paper flowers in direct sunlight or near a heat source.