Types of paper napkins and materials for production
Paper napkins are divided into the following types:
- white;
- plain colored;
- white or colored with ornaments;
- single-layer;
- two-layer;
- three-layer;
- with perforation;
- hygienic;
- cosmetic;
- canteens;
- serving.
Paper napkins are made from cellulose.
To make flowers from paper napkins you will need the following materials and tools:
- paper napkins;
- threads or paper tapes;
- needle;
- threads;
- scissors;
- pencil without edges;
- stapler or glue;
- thick colored paper;
- thin hair clip;
- multi-colored paints.
Trimming
Numbers decorated using the cutting technique turn out to be very fluffy. It’s better to use corrugated paper, but plain napkins also work well.
- The paper is cut into squares.
- Then you place a pencil in the middle of the sheet and press it with paper.
- We apply a stick with paper to the surface coated with glue.
- Having filled the entire surface in this way, straighten the decor with your hands and trim off the excess with scissors.
Trimming method
Volumetric numbers using the cutting method look fluffy and soft
You can also make flowers by trimming.
To do this, prepare:
- plasticine;
- several rectangular sheets of paper;
- trimming stick.
Now let's get started:
- Knead the plasticine.
- Wrap the stick with paper so that most of it remains free.
- Stick it into a piece of plasticine.
- Make 3 petals in the same way.
- Fill the space between them with petals of a different color.
- Cover the middle where the plasticine is visible with a piece of crumpled paper.
Foam blanks are the most suitable for trimming. No glue is needed, the stick pierces the soft material, and the trim remains in it. You can trim the patterns inside the figure and decorate the decor with several diagonal stripes of different colors.
General rules for making flowers
You can make flowers with your own hands from almost any napkins, paying attention to the following recommendations:
- single-layer thin material is suitable for airy flowers without clear straight lines;
- In order for the craft to retain its shape for a long time, it is better to use high-density material;
To make flowers, it is better to use plain napkins.
- to add scent to decorative flowers, you can use scented napkins to make them;
- Accuracy is important in the work, since the material of the napkins is not strong enough.
How to make a three-dimensional figure from napkins
How to make a large volumetric figure from paper flowers? To work, you will need about 100 napkins and a cardboard frame to which the flowers will be glued.
Material consumption for the production of volumetric figures:
Number | Number of colors | Number of napkins for different colors | ||
Rose/Daisy | Clove/Dandelion | Peony/Chrysanthemum | ||
1 | 86 | 172 | 86 | 344 |
2 | 85 | 170 | 85 | 340 |
3 | 91 | 182 | 91 | 364 |
4 | 120 | 240 | 120 | 480 |
5 | 93 | 186 | 93 | 372 |
6, 9 | 102 | 204 | 102 | 408 |
7 | 93 | 186 | 93 | 372 |
8 | 124 | 248 | 124 | 496 |
0 | 109 | 218 | 109 | 436 |
Flowers from napkins
To make a three-dimensional figure made from napkins look more impressive, it is better to use napkins of 2 or 3 matching colors to make flowers.
Step-by-step description of making flowers from napkins:
- fold the napkin into 4 layers;
- fasten the middle with a stapler;
- mark a circle, cut along the contour;
- lift each layer of the napkin and squeeze it, forming petals;
- straighten the flower.
Cardboard frame
To make a cardboard frame for a number, you will need 2 identical rectangular sheets of strong cardboard. The thickness of the lines of the figure is calculated based on the number of flowers placed.
It is important to monitor the proportionality of the figure being made.
Draw a number on a cardboard sheet and cut it out. Place the cut out figure on the second cardboard sheet, trace along the contour, cut out. For the side parts, cut out several strips of cardboard about 10 cm wide.
Next, you need to tape the strips of cardboard that form the side part to the edges at a 90° angle on the back side of the number blank. The remaining part of the figure is glued with tape in the same way.
Assembling and decorating numbers
The final stage of work is gluing decorative flowers to the frame. To do this, you can use any paper glue, which is applied to the center of the flower from the back side. The flower is applied to the frame and pressed at the base. After the glue has dried, straighten the flowers.
You can choose any design for the craft:
- 2 rows of multi-colored flowers are arranged in parallel;
- the center of the number is highlighted in one color, and the edges - in another;
- completely monochromatic craft;
- alternating colors in a checkerboard pattern;
- highlighting the side zones of the number with a different color;
- smooth transition from one color to another (ombre effect).
For the young princess
The work is attractive using the simplest material that is accessible to everyone.
The master class is designed to make jewelry for a girl. Changing the primary colors of the napkins will create a boyish version of the number.
For this craft you need to stock up on:
- Thick corrugated cardboard (you can take several old packaging boxes);
- Napkins;
- Large scissors;
- Stapler;
- Wide tape;
- Instant glue;
- Decorative cardboard of golden color.
First of all, you need to prepare a huge number of flowers with which the product is subsequently decorated.
A red napkin is cut into two equal parts. Each piece is cut in half again. Thus, one napkin produces four squares.
The squares are folded in pairs and secured together with a stapler in the center.
A circle is cut out of each workpiece.
If the circle is pre-drawn, the process will take time. Since there will be a large number of colors, the craft will not show how equal the initial circles were. Therefore, it is recommended to draw them randomly.
Each napkin layer is compressed with your fingers, lifting up.
So you need to alternately “hush” all tiers of the napkin.
Then the workpiece is carefully straightened, forming a lush flower.
To save time, the easiest way is to first make a lot of red round blanks, after which you can put them into flowers.
White napkins undergo a similar process.
The estimated preparation time for flower hats is 4-5 hours. The process is not the fastest, so it is advisable to take care of the volumetric figure in advance.
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Now work moves on to forming the main frame of the product. In this case, the number “2” will be made.
The outline of the future craft is drawn on a sheet of corrugated cardboard.
You need to pay attention to one feature. When a pencil sketch of a number has been completed, it is advisable to try on several flowers on it in order to determine their arrangement in the rows.
This determines how wide the surface of the product needs to be made. In the proposed version, the width of the figure is 9 cm. The template is cut out. Since the density of cardboard is quite high, scissors cannot always cope with the task. If this problem occurs, you can use a construction cutter.
The resulting part is placed on a second cardboard sheet and cut out along the contour. All that remains is to prepare the parts that combine the patterns of the numbers.
To do this, strips 9 cm wide are laid out on cardboard. It’s easier to make long strips and use cardboard a little softer than the one used for the main patterns. This makes it easier to control the strips while fixing parts.
Using tape, the strip is connected to one part of the number. However, you should not work with a single roll of tape. The work will go faster if you take small adhesive pieces 10-12 cm long.
When one part of the pattern is firmly fixed, it’s time to carry out a similar procedure with the second large part.
Flowers are gradually glued onto the finished frame. This is best done with instant glue.
The elements must be fixed carefully so as not to crush the flower caps. Pressing your finger on the middle of the flower is quite enough.
The surface of the figure is completely covered with napkin elements, after which it is left to dry.
When the glue has dried well, you need to straighten each flower to create a lush effect. Since the number is intended for a girl, it is decorated with a golden princess crown on top.
A pencil sketch of the crown is made at random. You can do this yourself, or use a template printed on a printer.
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According to the pattern, you need to build two identical blanks so that the crown, like the number itself, turns out to be double-sided.
For details, a prepared sheet of “golden” cardboard is used.
The elements are glued together and placed on the number. The crown is secured using instant glue.
A chic, voluminous two-piece is ready to delight the birthday girl.
If the craft is intended for a boy, the design of the number can be done in blue.
In this case, the flowers are located closer to each other, due to which the splendor of each flower individually is reduced, but a dense volumetric figure is created as a whole.
As an option, you can use smooth transitions from one color to another.
In the product it looks very impressive and does not require any additional elements to the composition itself.
Instructions for performing numbers
To make artistic numbers from napkins you will need:
- cardboard;
- paper napkins of one or more colors;
- scissors;
- pencil;
- ruler;
- stapler;
- glue.
Digit 1
Manufacturing process:
- Make 1 flower from napkins: draw a circle on a napkin folded in 16 layers, cut it out, fix the center with a stapler, crumple each layer of petals, straighten the flower.
- Based on the size of the flower, determine the thickness of the lines of the number. Draw the outlines onto the cardboard and cut out 2 identical pieces. For the sides, you can use any scraps of cardboard. Glue the frame using any tape. Calculate the approximate number of flowers for the craft, make according to the previous description.
- Apply glue to the back of each flower, attach the flower to the frame, and press gently. It is better to glue flowers to the number 1 in horizontal and vertical rows.
Digit 2
How to make number 2 from napkins:
- The work begins with creating a control sample, this is done like this: a napkin folded in several layers is fixed with a stapler in the center, then the contours of the circle are applied, then you need to cut out the circle, crush each layer of the napkin, and give the shape of a flower.
- On a large sheet of cardboard, draw the number 2. Make the thickness of the lines such that 2 flowers fit side by side. Cut out the 1st blank, attach it to another sheet of cardboard, trace along the contour, cut out the 2nd blank.
- For the side parts of the number 2, it is better to use long rectangles. Assemble the workpiece using tape: first glue the sides to the 1st part of the workpiece, then attach the 2nd part of the workpiece.
- Make paper flowers in an amount of at least 90 pieces following the example of the control sample. Glue one at a time to the frame with parallel lines.
Digit 3
Description of work:
- Make 1 flower: place several napkins on top of each other, sew at the central point, mark a circle and cut it out, cut the edges of the circle along partial radii, lightly crumple each layer of petals and straighten them. All other flowers are made in the same way.
- On a large sheet of cardboard, draw the number 3 so that at least 2 flowers are placed next to each other on the lines of the craft. Cut out the figure, while the base of the figure should be horizontal. On the 2nd cardboard sheet draw the 2nd part of the blank. For the sides, prepare horizontal strips of cardboard. Glue the three-dimensional figure with tape.
- Calculate the required number of flowers to decorate the number. Make flowers and glue to the frame.
Digit 4
Manufacturing procedure:
- The work begins with making the 1st flower according to the following scheme: the napkin is folded like a fan, fixed in the center with a clip, the edges are torn off by 2 mm and painted with a marker, the clip is removed, the center of the workpiece is tied with thread, then you need to shape the flower.
- Making a figure frame: draw the number 4 on a sheet of cardboard (the base of the figure must be at least 30 cm), cut it out, place the resulting figure on the 2nd sheet of cardboard and trace it along the contour, cut out the 2nd part of the workpiece. For the side edges of a three-dimensional craft, you can use cardboard scraps. Glue the frame with tape.
- Calculate the required number of flowers, make flowers following the example of the 1st flower. Cover the front part of the frame and the side edges with flowers; the flowers should form parallel lines.
Number 5
Making artistic number 5 from napkins:
- Fold the napkin into a square in several layers; the more layers, the more magnificent the flower will be.
- Sew the center of the workpiece, cut out a circle, cut the edges.
- Crumple each layer of paper to form a flower. Make all the flowers for the numbers according to this pattern.
- Draw the number 5 on a sheet of thick cardboard; for the stability of the figure, the base must be horizontal.
- Cut out the number, place it on another sheet of cardboard and trace along the outline. Cut out the 2nd part.
- For side rounded edges, prepare horizontal strips of cardboard; for straight sections, you can use scraps. The side edges are glued with tape at an angle of 90° to the 1st half of the workpiece, the 2nd half is glued on top last.
- Calculate and prepare the required number of paper flowers. Randomly cover the frame of the number with flowers.
Numbers 6 and 9
The process of making large decorative numbers 6 and 9 is similar, the only difference is the location of the stable base.
Instructions:
- Make 1 flower (all flowers for crafts are made the same way) according to the following description: fold a paper napkin into a square in several layers, stitch the center point of the square or fasten it with a stapler. Draw and cut out a circle. Press each layer of paper into the middle and straighten the flower.
- Observing the proportions and taking into account the dimensions of the previously prepared flower, apply the contours of the figure to a sheet of cardboard and cut it out. Make the base of each number horizontal. On the 2nd sheet of cardboard, make and cut out a similar shape. For the sides, cut out horizontal stripes from cardboard. Glue the frame with tape.
- Make flowers from napkins according to the pattern. Cover the frame with flowers in any order.
Number 7
The order of work on the craft:
- Make a flower according to the diagram: cut the napkin into 4 equal squares.
- Divide each square into 2 rectangles with a horizontal fold, twist the edges and middles of the rectangles, roll the first rectangle into a tight roll, and wrap the rest around it. Secure the finished bud from below with a thread. Follow this diagram when making all the flowers for the craft.
- On 2 sheets of cardboard, draw the number 7 and cut it out. The base of the figure should be at least 30 cm for stability. For the sides, cut the cardboard into long rectangles. Attach the sides to the figure at an angle of 90° with mounting tape. Glue the second part of the craft on top.
- Attach the pre-prepared flower to the frame and calculate the exact number of elements. Make a certain number of flowers. Carefully glue to the frame.
Number 8
The number 8 from flowers is made according to the following description:
- Fold a flower from a napkin, which will later be needed to determine the exact number of elements, according to the description: place the paper napkin in a diamond shape towards you and bend the corners to the central point, turn it over and repeat the same steps.
- Lift the bottom triangle and expand its sides from the outside to form a petal, form 4 flower petals. The remaining flowers for the number are made in the same way.
- On 2 sheets of cardboard, draw 2 identical numbers 8 with a flat base. Cut out the blanks. The side faces will consist of narrow rectangles. Glue the side edges to the first blank, then attach the second half of the volumetric figure on top.
- Determine the number of decorative elements, prepare according to the example of the 1st flower and glue to the frame in any order.
Digit 0
The number 0, consisting of paper flowers, is made according to the scheme:
- A paper napkin is folded in several layers and secured in the center with a stapler; a circle is drawn and cut out on the blank. Each layer of the napkin is pressed to the center and straightened. Using a similar description, make all the decorative elements, the exact quantity of which will be determined later.
- Making a cardboard frame: the contours of the number are applied to 2 sheets of cardboard, the figures are cut out. For the side edges, cut several rectangles from cardboard, which are glued to the joints of the front and back of the number.
- Attach the paper flower to the frame and calculate the required number of elements. When all the flowers are prepared, glue all the elements to the front part and side areas of the frame.
Making decorative crafts from paper napkins is a creative and fun process. Following step-by-step instructions, you can make any of the existing colors from available material, which you can then use to decorate the birthday person’s numbers.
Author: Doroshenko E. N.
Article design: Natalie Podolskaya