Magnolia made from crêpe paper

1 Print out the template, which you can find as a separate PDF on this page. Cut out all the pieces and start assembling the flower. Start by cutting a fringe in the piece for the stamens and glue it around the stem using a glue gun. Twist it first around the stem and then around itself.

2 Shape each petal by pulling in the middle so that it begins to curl. Repeat this for all 16 petals needed to make the three flowers.

3 Glue three petals around the stamen with a glue gun. Then glue three petals between the first three so that the six petals are staggered.

4 Glue small covering leaves around the flower so that they sit on the transition between the stem and petals.

5 Cut a piece of brown crêpe paper measuring 1 x 30 cm in the direction of stretch – remember to stretch the piece out completely. Glue one end of the strip over the bottom of the petals for a nice finish. Now cover the stem with the crêpe paper strip – twist it diagonally down the stem, glueing it as you go along. If you like, glue a small leaf onto the stem and bring it into the twist so that it covers up the patch of glue.

6 Repeat steps 1–5 on all three stems. Line two of the half stems and wrap the bottom of one stem around the other so that the flowers join to form a branch. Continue to cover from the point where the two stems meet – add on a leaf to cover the overlap.

7 Here you can see the finished magnolia.