Flower hair accessories never go out of style, so today we’re making our own. These paper flowers are simple, customizable, and more versatile than a traditional flower crown: you can place each bloom individually, making them perfect for braids, updos, and other hairstyles.
This colorful paper flower hair accessory project was shared by Ally from Now That’s Pretty. It’s a quick, charming DIY with lots of styling possibilities—perfect for summer events, weddings, or adding a floral touch to everyday looks.
When magazine hair trends switch to floral accents, it’s easy to feel inspired. Flower crowns are plentiful online, but they can be bulky and limit your hairstyle options. I wanted a delicate alternative that adapts to different looks while still feeling graceful and pretty.
These paper roses are small and versatile: swap in pearls for a refined prom accessory or try tiny bows for a playful twist. The spiral wire fitting lets you position each flower exactly where you want it and secures well in tight hairstyles.
Supplies for making hair flowers
- Good-quality cardstock paper
- Scissors
- Two knitting needles of different thicknesses (or similar tools)
- Hot glue gun
How to Make Paper Flower Hair Accessories
1. Cut out your petals. For each flower you’ll need one teardrop shape for the center and about five rounded heart shapes for the outer petals.
2. Use the smaller knitting needle to tightly roll the teardrop shape into the rose center.
3. Take a heart-shaped petal and pinch its base around the larger knitting needle to give the petal some dimension.
4. With the small knitting needle, curl the tops of each petal backward slightly to create a natural petal curve.
5. Repeat the curling technique for all petals so they share a consistent shape.
6. Assemble the rose by gluing the rolled teardrop into the center of one petal.
7. Add additional petals one by one, arranging them slightly offset from each other to build a balanced bloom.
8. Continue until the rose looks full and even. Adjust the petal curves for the final shape.
Supplies for making the spiral fitting
- Wire (20 gauge works well for this project)
- Round-nose pliers
- Flat-nose pliers
- Wire cutters
- Hot glue gun
How to Make the Spiral Fitting
1. Using the very base of your round-nose pliers, form a small circle in the wire. This circle will be the spiral’s center and the spot where you attach the flower.
2. Grip the wire with flat-nose pliers and rotate the wire around the center circle, creating an even spiral.
3. Cut the spiral from the wire spool, leaving a short tail to work with.
4. Use the smallest part of the round-nose pliers to form a tiny loop at the end of the tail—this smooths the edge so it won’t catch or irritate the scalp.
5. Gently spread the spiral slightly outward from the center circle so it has a gentle, rounded profile that will grip hair better when twisted in.
6. Add a generous dab of hot glue to the center circle and press the paper flower into place, holding until the glue sets.
To secure a finished flower in hair, insert the spiral tail into a braid, twist, and tuck until the spiral is snug. These spirals hold best in tight styles and updos but can also work in looser hair when positioned carefully.
You’re done—enjoy styling with individual paper flowers for flexible, pretty looks.
How to Make Paper Flower Hair Accessories
Brittni
Ingredients
- Good-quality cardstock paper
- Scissors
- Two knitting needles of different thicknesses (or similar tools)
- Hot glue gun
- Wire (20 gauge recommended)
- Round-nose pliers
- Flat-nose pliers
- Wire cutters
Instructions
- Cut out one teardrop shape for the center and about five rounded heart-shaped petals for each flower.
- Roll the teardrop tightly around a small needle to form the flower center.
- Pinch the base of each heart-shaped petal around a larger needle to add dimension.
- Curl the tops of the petals backward using the small needle for a natural look.
- Curl all petals consistently for a balanced shape.
- Glue the rolled teardrop into the center of one petal to begin assembling the rose.
- Continue adding petals, placing them diagonally opposite to create a full bloom.
- Form a small center circle in the wire with round-nose pliers. This is where the flower will be attached.
- Rotate and twist the wire around the circle with flat-nose pliers to create a spiral.
- Cut the spiral free, leaving a short tail, and make a small loop at the tail’s end to smooth the tip.
- Gently spread the spiral so it has a rounded profile that will grip hair when twisted in.
- Glue the paper flower to the center circle with hot glue and allow it to set.
- Insert the spiral end into hair and twist to secure. These spirals hold best in tight styles and updos but can also work in looser hair if anchored carefully.
This guest post was written by Ally Ebdon. Ally is based in Edinburgh, UK. She writes for her DIY blog Now That’s Pretty, runs a custom ukulele business, and keeps her home full of confetti.