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Daisy Paper Flower Template and Tutorial

Written by Kimberly Coffin · This post may contain affiliate links · 50 Comments

328 shares

Find Out How to Make a Realistic Gerbera Daisy Paper Flower With This Free Template and Step-By-Step Photo and Video Tutorial.

One of the things I love most about daisies is their bright and cheerful color! I’ve loved daisy flowers for as long as I can remember so of course, I wanted to try my hand at making a paper version that would last forever.

After making paper Peonies, Dahlias, Oversized Roses, and Rolled flowers, this was the next flower on my list to tackle!

Gerbera Daisy Paper Flower Free Template

If you love the look of fresh flowers but hate it when they eventually wilt, you’re sure to enjoy making paper flowers that look fresh year-round.

How to Make Paper Daisies

If you’re new to paper flowers, don’t fret! I’ll walk you through everything you need to know from the best paper to use, and the right tools to purchase to the correct shaping technique and Cricut instructions. 

Gerbera Daisy Paper Flower Free Template

Whenever I design paper flower templates it’s always important that I make them look as realistic as possible. That means quite a bit of testing and research goes into each of my paper flower designs. 

This specific template is designed to mimic the look of a Gerbera daisy plant. Before crafting this flower, I researched its life cycle- focusing on how it bloomed and how many petals and centers formed during the growing process.

Gerbera Daisy Paper Flower Free Template

This flower grows between 8-10 inches tall and 3-4 inches wide. It has bright petals, a sturdy stem, a lighter-colored halo, and a dark center. Knowing and studying these characteristics helps to make a realistic Gerbera daisy plant.

This free SVG file and template will help you to make your own Gerbera Daisy flower from the comfort of your home with a little help from your smart cutting machine.

How to Make Paper Daisies

What Type of Paper Should I Use to Make Paper Flowers?

When making paper flowers, it's very important to use the correct type of paper to achieve the best results. This will give you flowers that look realistic and lifelike.

I strongly recommend using cardstock between 60-80lbs, as it will curl and manipulate the easiest. My personal preference is 65lb cardstock for most flowers because it's on the lighter side and it's easier to manipulate. But this project pairs really well with 80lb cardstock because it's a sturdier flower and it adds a nice level of crispness to the petals.

Paper Daisy Cricut

What’s the Best Place to Shop for Cardstock for Paper Flowers?

I recommend shopping for cardstock at JOANN. You can shop in person from the open paper shelves or online. Park Lane has quite a few variety packs of precision paper that work really well for this project and they offer paper in 65lb or 80lb options.

When you are shopping for paper look for cardstock that is solid core! This is really important! White core paper (or "value pack") is a cheaper type of cardstock that has color printed on each side on a white piece of cardstock. When you cut into it, it is white on the inside. It tends to look cheap when it's used with paper flowers.

Instead, you'll want to make sure you select a paper that says, "Solid Core". This means the color hasn't been printed on the outside of the paper. Solid core paper has been dyed and has the same color on the inside and outside.

I recommend shopping JOANN online and ordering a Park Lane Precision Cardstock Variety Pack. This will give you a variety of different colors for your flowers in an 80lb weight. Click here to shop for paper!

How Much Paper Do I Need to Make Paper Flowers?

PETALS: 2 Pieces of 12 x 12" Cardstock

CENTER: 1-2 Pieces of 12 x 12" Cardstock ( I recommend light yellow and dark grey or black.)

GREENERY: 2 Pieces of 12 x 12" Cardstock

When in doubt, cut extra petals! Accidents happen, especially when you're working with something as light as paper. I recommend cutting extra petals, stamen, and greenery whenever you make paper flowers just in case something goes wrong!

You'll also find it's nice to have extra pieces while you're creating your flowers in case you need to fill in an empty spot or add extra volume.

Gerbera Daisy Paper Flower Free Template

Should I Cut by Hand or With a Cutting Machine?

This specific flower does require a cutting machine because of how detailed the petals and center are. It would be really difficult to cut this flower by hand!

Looking for a paper flower that you can cut by hand, click here!

This project will go much faster if you use a 12 x 24" mat and load two pieces of paper on the mat at a time!

What Is the Finished Size of This Flower?

If you use the template as provided without making any changes to it, this tutorial will give you one flower that measures 6.5" across.

The template size can be increased to create a larger flower if desired.

If you look at the bouquet of flowers, you can see I made three different sizes. If you plan on making a bouquet of flowers, be sure to vary the sizes and colors of your flowers to give it a more realistic look.

Paper Daisy Cricut

What Are Pan Pastels and Do I Need Them for This Project?

Pan pastels really bring this project to life. They give the flowers a realistic look by providing more depth. However, pan pastels can be pretty pricey. I've linked to my favorite pan pastel kit which will give you a variety of different colors.

For a more budget-friendly option, you can order a single pan pastel. Make sure to choose a color that's at least a few shades darker or lighter than the paper you will be working with so that it shows up and adds contrast to your flower petals.

Pan pastels can be easily blended together and each little pot is loaded with color. When I say a little goes a long way, I really mean it! They are highly pigmented. They also put off very low dust and they are erasable in case of mistakes.

How to use pan pastels

This kit comes with several micropore sponges which makes applying the pan pastel quite simple. The sponge is reusable, easy to clean and it’s smooth so it won’t damage your paper. The benefit of using a sponge is that it will prevent you from having any brush strokes left behind on your project, giving you an even application of color.

If you're planning on making tons of paper flowers, I'd really recommend investing in this kit. If you're not totally sold on it, try purchasing an individual pan pastel here.

Paper Daisy Cricut

Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

  • Gerbera Daisy Supplies
  • Download the Free Paper Daisy SVG Template Here
  • Step One: Cut out your flower pieces
  • Step Two: Apply Pan Pastels (Optional)
  • Step Three: Shape Your Flower Pieces
  • Step Four: Assemble the Daisy Flower
  • Step Five: Create Leaves
  • Step Six: Add your Greenery
  • A Finished Gerbera Daisy 

Gerbera Daisy Supplies

  • 65 - 80 lb Solid Core Cardstock - I recommend this variety pack
    • This weight will curl and manipulate the easiest. (Check the paper recommendation section above for more details)
    • 2 pieces of 12 x 12" cardstock for the petals (2 medium, 2 large).
    • The center can be all one color (1 piece of 8.5 x 11" or 12 x 12" paper) but I recommend using a contrasting color or multiple colors for the centers.
    • 2 pieces of 12 x 12" cardstock for greenery
  • Floral Wire Stems
    • I used 3 stems for each flower to make a thicker more realistic looking stem
  • Floral Tape
  • Hot Glue Gun
  • Glue Gun Sticks
  • Needle Nose Wire Cutters
  • Scraper Tool
  • Pan Pastel Kit, or Individual Pan Pastels (read above paragraph for more detail)
  • Sponges
  • Flower Shaping Mat
  • Cricut Machine
  • Wooden Skewers
    • This is used to shape the petals to make them look more realistic.
  • Tweezers
  • 12" x 12" or 12" x 24" Standard Grip Cricut Cutting Mat

Download the Free Paper Daisy SVG Template Here

Upload Gerbera Daisy SVG File

Start by downloading the SVG file to your computer. 

Go to Cricut Design Space and start a New Project. Click the “Upload” option.

Select the downloaded daisy SVG file and upload it to your canvas.

Once added, ungroup the flower pieces in the layers panel and resize them or change the colors of the flower if desired. 

Step One: Cut out your flower pieces

One Daisy Flower Consists of:

  • 2 medium petals
  • 2 large petals
  • 4 centers
  • 2 stamen circle pieces
  • 2 stamen paper strips
  • 5 leaves
  • 1 flower base

Load your mat with Cardstock and cut out all the flower pieces

Step Two: Apply Pan Pastels (Optional)

I love to add pan pastel to my flower petals and stamen because it adds depth to the flower and a touch of realism.

Grab a paper towel or piece of paper to put underneath your flower pieces before applying pastel (it can get a little messy).

Gather your 4 petals (2 medium and 2 large) and start applying pan pastel that's a slightly darker color than your paper base. I recommend using a sponge for an even application or you can use a paintbrush as an alternative.

Apply the pastel to the center and slowly move towards the top of each petal in a sweeping motion to form a gradient.

You can do this step to your centers and stamen pieces.

Step Three: Shape Your Flower Pieces

Shaping this particular flower can be a little bit tricky. Before finding other ways to shape this flower, I used my fingers to shape the petals. While this may be a method you can use, there are tools and other techniques that can help you along the way to make this step much easier on your hands!

Start by shaping your petals using your scraper tool. Put your Scraper Tool in the center of a petal (lengthwise) and pinch the sides of the petal to make a rounded point and a score line down the middle. Do this to all four petals.

Pro Tip: If you don't have a scraper tool handy, you can grab a skewer or a clay molding tool and use the same technique. You can even create this shape by folding the petal along the edge of a table.

Curl some petals downwards and some upwards with a skewer or scraper tool to add dimension to the flower.

Next, place your four centerpieces (XL-S) on your Flower Shaping Mat. Use a skewer, molding tool, or small ball point tool to make the pieces look pinched at the tips.

If you don't have a flower shaping mat, you can also use a soft sheet of foam, a polymailer or a yoga mat.

Next, grab your two stamen circle pieces (one smaller than the other) and use a toothpick or tweezers to make each piece of stamen stand up and flare out the fringe. Before flaring, I went in with my ball point tool and rolled in a circular motion in the centers.

Step Four: Assemble the Daisy Flower

Take one of your two stamen strips and wire stems (Tip: use your scraper tool to curl the stamen strip.) Add a dot of hot glue to one end of the strip and place it on the top of the wire.

Begin wrapping your stamen around the wire and adding glue as you go. Repeat this to the other stamen piece wrapping it around the other. Once wrapped, flare it out with tweezers.

Now, add the 2 circle stamens by sliding the wire through the hole starting with the small one, and secure with glue.

Slide the 4 centers up the wire starting with the smallest one and secure with glue.

Afterward, add the 2 medium petals and then the 2 large petals.

Pro Tip: Make sure to offset your petals and secure everything with glue.

Step Five: Create Leaves

Before adding the leaves I like to shape the leaves with a scraper tool, skewer, or using the Paper Flower Shaping Tools. Use these to gently curl the edges and add score lines.

Grab the three simple leaves without stems. Using your tools, go along the blade of the leaves to add texture and curl. Run down the middle to make the middle vein, then add more veins by applying pan pastel or glide your tool from your vein to the outer edge of the leaf.

Then, take the two stemmed compound leaves. Place them on a mat and run your tool down the middle and pinch each tip of the individual leaves.

Step Six: Add your Greenery

Time to add the greenery starting with the flower base and then moving onto the leaves with circle cutouts. (Leaves are optional)

Paper Daisy Cricut

Finally, wrap the stem with floral tape starting beneath your flower

Pro Tip: make sure you hold your tape taut as you wrap while also compacting the tape. This technique helps heat up the tape and make it sticky so it adheres to itself.

Add two additional wires to create a thicker more realistic-looking stem and continue to wrap the stem with floral tape. 

Optional: Stop in a place where you would like to add one of the strips of leaves to the stem. Once added, continue to wrap with floral tape.

A Finished Gerbera Daisy 

How to Make Paper Daisies Free Template

You have finished a gorgeous Gerbera Daisy! Repeat this process for the desired number of flowers you’d like. Why not award yourself with an entire bouquet!

How to Make Paper Daisies Free Template
Gerbera Daisy Paper Flower Free Template

This flower doesn't necessarily need a stem. You can make this into a beautiful wall art project. There is so much you can do with this paper daisy flower design!

Looking for more paper flower projects? Click here!

How to Make Paper Daisies Free Template

Join my crafting and sewing Facebook group where you can show us what you’re making, ask questions, and learn from others!

Gerbera Daisy Paper Flower Free Template

Don’t want to forget about this free flower template? Save this project for later! Click here to save this project on Pinterest.

Find Out How to Make a Realistic Gerbera Daisy Paper Flower With This Free Template and Step-By-Step Photo and Video Tutorial.
« Cricut Joy Project Round-Up
How to Finish Seams Without a Serger: 3 Great Seam Finishes »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tracy says

    July 16, 2022 at 10:59 am

    Beautiful! Thank you! Fantastic post as well!

    Reply
  2. Maritess S says

    July 17, 2022 at 1:58 pm

    So pretty . . . surely brightens any room in the house.

    Reply
  3. Loren Palmer says

    July 17, 2022 at 4:46 pm

    All in

    Reply
  4. LisaM says

    July 17, 2022 at 7:04 pm

    Such a cute craft!

    Reply
  5. Alan Slavens says

    July 17, 2022 at 7:59 pm

    It looks good.

    Reply
  6. Jennylyn Gross says

    July 17, 2022 at 10:24 pm

    thanks for the idea!

    Reply
  7. Funmi says

    July 18, 2022 at 6:17 am

    Very pretty!

    Reply
  8. Janet K says

    July 18, 2022 at 11:51 am

    Cute project!

    Reply
  9. Alexa Nernberg says

    July 18, 2022 at 12:25 pm

    Beautiful flowers and so life-like. Thank you.

    Reply
  10. Rebekah Ranes says

    July 18, 2022 at 3:13 pm

    Beautiful

    Reply
  11. Maritess says

    July 18, 2022 at 6:51 pm

    Have you tried doing this on thinner paper? Very clear tutorial . . . thanks.

    Reply
  12. Janet K says

    July 19, 2022 at 12:24 pm

    Fun project!

    Reply
  13. Loren Palmer says

    July 19, 2022 at 2:10 pm

    Gotta try this

    Reply
  14. Maritess says

    July 20, 2022 at 1:38 am

    Awesome blog craft tutorial.

    Reply
  15. Janet K says

    July 20, 2022 at 12:07 pm

    Cute gift idea!

    Reply
    • SR says

      July 23, 2022 at 1:14 pm

      Those look amazing!

      Reply
  16. Loren Palmer says

    July 20, 2022 at 7:21 pm

    Can't wait to win this

    Reply
  17. Dorothy says

    July 21, 2022 at 12:00 am

    How fun!

    Reply
  18. Diane says

    July 21, 2022 at 12:45 am

    Thank you!

    Reply
  19. Carol Saponja says

    July 21, 2022 at 1:25 am

    lovely flowers

    Reply
  20. Brittany says

    July 21, 2022 at 3:08 am

    These are so cute! One day when I can get a circuit I will definitely be using your videos!!!

    Reply
  21. Lisa says

    July 21, 2022 at 8:28 am

    These are beautiful! Great tutorial too.

    Reply
  22. Brenda West says

    July 21, 2022 at 9:55 am

    Amazing how you come up with such cute ideas. Such imagination - real cute project.

    Reply
  23. Janet K says

    July 21, 2022 at 1:32 pm

    Very pretty!

    Reply
  24. Leslie says

    July 21, 2022 at 5:48 pm

    You are quite creative! May make some, at least I may not kill them!!

    Reply
  25. Maritess says

    July 21, 2022 at 7:54 pm

    Very colourful and pretty. . . two thumbs up.

    Reply
  26. Carol Saponja says

    July 22, 2022 at 12:40 am

    looks easy

    Reply
    • Mary S. says

      July 26, 2022 at 2:51 am

      I has tissue paper flower knits when I was young but this is so much better. Lovely and fun.

      Reply
  27. Jaye Smith says

    July 22, 2022 at 11:21 am

    Such an easy creative idea....your ideas are fabulous.

    Reply
  28. Janet K says

    July 22, 2022 at 12:24 pm

    I can't wait to try this idea!

    Reply
  29. Doreen Lamoureux says

    July 22, 2022 at 1:25 pm

    Those flowers look so real . Absolutely beautiful also.

    Reply
  30. Cathleen Clark says

    July 23, 2022 at 7:28 am

    I am going to do this with my granddaughter and I bet she decorates her whole bedroom with them! Thank you!

    Reply
  31. Amanda says

    July 23, 2022 at 12:24 pm

    These are so cute! My mom would really like some flowers that would last! May have to make these for her

    Reply
  32. Janet K says

    July 23, 2022 at 12:28 pm

    Pretty bouquet!

    Reply
  33. Melanie says

    July 23, 2022 at 4:04 pm

    Making these for my classroom wall

    Reply
  34. cathy Brown says

    July 23, 2022 at 6:24 pm

    This is super cute and I think I may try this instead of buying faux.

    Reply
  35. Loren Palmer says

    July 23, 2022 at 7:23 pm

    Thanks

    Reply
  36. Cynthia says

    July 23, 2022 at 9:07 pm

    what a beautiful way to garden!!!!

    Reply
  37. Jan D says

    July 24, 2022 at 1:05 pm

    These sre so pretty and look like they would be fun to make for a cheery centerpiece on the table.

    Reply
  38. Janet K says

    July 24, 2022 at 1:14 pm

    Very realistic!

    Reply
  39. Kenneth Adams says

    July 24, 2022 at 5:28 pm

    This looks like a fun project to try.

    Reply
  40. Mary Dickens says

    July 24, 2022 at 11:24 pm

    These Flowers were stunning. Thank you for sharing your talent with all of us.

    Reply
  41. Janet K says

    July 25, 2022 at 12:28 pm

    This bouquet would make a nice gift!

    Reply
  42. Loren Palmer says

    July 25, 2022 at 3:45 pm

    What a great idea

    Reply
  43. Maritess says

    July 25, 2022 at 8:40 pm

    Thank you for the effort and dedication in bringing us this amazing tutorials.

    Reply
  44. Janet K says

    July 26, 2022 at 12:53 pm

    Love the tutorials!

    Reply
  45. Randy Jackson says

    July 26, 2022 at 5:32 pm

    Cool

    Reply
  46. Leona Olson says

    July 26, 2022 at 11:11 pm

    Love the colors.

    Reply
  47. Kathy Persons says

    July 27, 2022 at 9:45 am

    One of my favorite flowers

    Reply
  48. Janet K says

    July 27, 2022 at 12:26 pm

    I love this project!

    Reply

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