Let’s talk about coffee filter flowers! They’re handmade flowers made from, you guessed it, coffee filters! Those paper things you use to brew coffee with? We’ll turn them into flowers! If you are a fan of pour over or drip coffee, you likely have them on hand. Next time, reuse them instead of throwing them out, and transform them into beautiful, handcrafted paper flowers. We’ll use both basket and cone types, so get ready for a fun and cheap spring project.
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Making these paper flowers is easy and cheap. No need for fancy tools and materials. Just a few simple things and a bit of creativity. You can make them in different colors and sizes, perfect for decorating your home. You can also use them for parties, bridal showers, birthdays, or weddings. But that’s not all. You can also use them to make coffee filter flower bouquet—a great handmade gift idea.
Ready to start crafting? Follow our tutorial below to make beautiful coffee filter flowers.
These DIY flowers look like real flowers, but they last longer and cost less. If you like to make things, or if you’re just new to the craft world, you’ll have fun with these flowers. The best thing about them is you can make many kinds and you don’t need much to start.
What are Coffee Filter Flowers?
These stunning blooms are flowers crafted from paper coffee filters. Yes, the filter that you use to brew your morning coffee. It is great for making flowers as it’s easy to fold, light, and takes colors well. You can create different types of flowers with them – just use your imagination.
Why Make Coffee Filter Flowers?
First, it’s cheap. You don’t need a lot of money to make them, unlike real flowers.
Also, they last a long time. You can use them to decorate your home or keep them as special gifts.
Making these flowers can also help you relax. Cutting, coloring and assembling can be calming. It’s a good way to feel less stressed.
And, they’re perfect for upcycling used coffee filters. They often have a subtle, natural staining from coffee, which adds a vintage look to your flowers.
Materials Needed
List of Essential Supplies
- Coffee filters: a pack of regular-size filters
- Scissors: sharp scissors are recommended
- Glue
- Watercolors or food coloring: these are used to give colors to the filters
- Cups: used to dilute watercolor and to form the flowers
Optional Tools for Coffee Filter Flowers
- Brushes: a paintbrush helps in applying color with control and adding more details to the petals
- Spray bottle: for even color distribution
- Floral wire or pipe cleaners: they help in making sturdy stems for your flowers
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Cutting
Stack two coffee filters. Flatten and fold in half.
Fold them in half two more times to make a cone shape, then use scissors to trim the outer edges into different shapes. This will define the petal structure. You can experiment with different shapes to mimic real flower petals.
You need 5 to 6 coffee filters to make one flower.
Step 2: Coloring the Coffee Filters
Use watercolor or food coloring to paint the filters. Dilute the colors in the cups, then dip the coffee filter. Consider using brushes to spray bottle to create designs.
After coloring, allow them to dry completely. Separate the layers and place them on a flat surface or hang them to dry.
Step 3: Assembling
Take a paper cup or glass. Make sure it’s clean and dry. Fold a paper flower over the rim of the cup, with half inside and half outside. Rotate the cup and repeat.
Now, add glue in between the first two flowers, then fold another flower. Repeat for the remaining filters. Allow the glue to dry.
Step 4: Removing the Flower
Flip it, then gently remove the cup.
Creative Ideas and Variations
A coffee filter basket is commonly used to make these stunning paper flowers, but you can also use cone coffee filters. I used this type of filter to make the small flowers.
Simply cut a circle, then repeat the same process as with the basket coffee filter.
Crafting a Coffee Filter Flower Bouquet
To make a bouquet, combine different coffee filter flower types. Start by deciding on a cohesive color scheme. Select complementing shades just like what I did to ensure a unified look. Make flowers in various sizes and add green leaves and stems. To assemble, group the flowers and arrange them at varied heights to add visual interest, then use floral wire to secure them.
