How to make paper wisteria

Create this whimsical crepe paper wisteria to add some fun and beauty to your mantel or vignette. Check out the easy tutorial to learn how to make paper wisteria.

As you may recall, I shared my Easter mantel decor with you earlier this week and you got to see the pretty DIY wisteria that I made up to hang on the backdrop. I am back today to show you how to make paper wisteria. This is an easy and fun craft that you can whip up in no time.

I LOVE the look of wisteria, probably because it was not a flower that I grew up seeing. The first time I saw it was in California, and the wisteria was growing along a tunnel that we walked through. It was so breathtakingly beautiful! I will never forget that moment.

A simple and inexpensive project

I wanted to recreate the look of wisteria, but did not want to make it a project that you could only do if you had a cutting machine so I looked for a simpler solution. Another plus is that this paper wisteria is made from crepe streamers, not the expensive crepe paper that you normally make paper flowers from.

I know it is not a perfect replica. This DIY paper wisteria gives more of an abstract, whimsical appearance but I happen to like that. This would look so cute in a nursery or child’s bedroom! Or imagine decorating with these flowers for a birthday party or even graduation! They would look so lovely and you can tailor the colors to whatever you want.

Supplies to make paper wisteria

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Watch the quick video

Don’t want to read all the instructions? I have included a video in this post showing you how to make paper wisteria flowers. If you can’t see the video, turn off your ad blocker. If you want more detailed instructions, continue reading.

The first step is to cut strips from the streamers. I cut different lengths of the streamer to give the paper wisteria dimension. I cut the streamers to lengths of 24″, 20″, 19″, 17″, 15″, 12″and 10″. The varied lengths gives the paper wisteria a fuller look at the top tapering down to longer strands at the bottom. You can use all seven lengths in one flower or vary the different amount and sizes to give different looks.

Taking one of the lengths of the streamer, fold the end in half lengthwise. About 3/4″-1″ in from the end, give the streamer a couple twists. This will give you a starting point and leave a stem at the top to gather the rest of the strands together.

Now stick your thumb into the cavity made from the twist with the pad of your thumb against the first twist. Gently twist around your thumb three full times until you are back at your starting position. Pinch the twisted part to tighten down the twist. The streamer will now have the appearance of a piece of candy with twisted ends.

Move down the length of the streamer and continue twisting. Make sure you twist gently, as the crepe streamer is very easy to rip. It also seemed that the color of the streamer made of difference in the quality of the crepe paper. Some were made of softer paper and others were more stiff. The stiffer paper was easier to twist without ripping it.

Continue making twists until you don’t have enough length of the streamer left to make a twist. When you get to the end of the streamer, twist the end and cut off any excess material if needed.

Gather all the strands together to form a wisteria flower cluster

After you have finished twisting all the strands, start gathering them together. Hold them together at the starting end, where you left a stem. Start with the longest first, and add the progressively shorter strands to the outside.

Cut a length of wire about 6-7″ and wrap that around the gathered stems. Make a hook with the end of the wire.

To hide the wire, you can cut a small strip of streamer, cut it in half lengthwise, then fold in it half. Then tie that around the wire and cut off the end. I tried just twisting it on, but it did not stay that way.

Now you have one wisteria flower cluster, or raceme, as I just learned that they are called. 🙂

Hang the paper wisteria from greenery

To decorate with the DIY paper wisteria, you can hang the racemes on some greenery like I did here. I found this Spanish Moss greenery at Hobby Lobby, and the droopy look paired perfectly with the wisteria flowers. Just hook the flower clusters onto the greenery and you are good to go!

Another option is that you could easily make them into a wisteria garland! Or make a lot more and make a whole tree! 🙂 This would be a perfect craft to involve the kiddos in. I am sure there are a lot of little ones out there that would love to make these flowers!

What do you think of the paper wisteria? Yay or meh? I hope you love it like I do! I will be back next week with a simple Easter tablescape and table top decor. Have a great weekend!