The elasticity of crepe paper makes this material ideal for stretching and sculpting into more natural floral formations. The rose is made with red and green crepe paper, white glue with a brush, No. 23 floral wire. No. 16 stem wire or No. 18 garden stakes, white and green floral tape, cotton balls and scissors.

The patterns shown are traced onto cardboard. Cut out the cardboard, trace around it on the crepe paper and cut out the paper. Crepe paper has a grain, so be sure to use the paper so that its grain runs along the length of the petals and leaves.

To make the center for a rose, cover a cotton ball with a piece of red crepe paper, close the opening with a No. 23 wire and attach it to a No. 16 stem wire with green floral tape. For the large rose, cut six small petals and seven large petals from red crepe paper following the patterns in Figure P. For the small rose shown, cut two small and two large petals.

Place your thumbs in the middle of each petal and cup it by stretching the crepe paper outward (photograph 4), then bend the tips of each petal backward by rolling the paper (photograph 5) much as you would curl a ribbon. The curved petals will stand away from the center like those of a fresh rose. Use a brush to apply white glue 1 inch from the base area of each small petal. Hold the bud on the wire upside down and begin to glue on small petals first; then do the larger petals. Be sure to space the petals evenly about the center. Avoid getting glue on the outside of the flower.

 When all petals have been attached, accordion-fold a 3-by-20-inch piece of green crepe paper, as in Figure B for the calyx (cup-like leaves at the base of each flower). Each pleat should be about 1 inch wide. To make the calyx, cut along the curved dotted lines shown in Figure Q leaving about 3/4 inch of the folded paper still joined at the base of the calyx. Unfold the stack of crepe paper, and spread white glue l/2 inch from the joined base of the paper. Wrap the calyx around the bottom of the large outer flower petals.

Next, cut two pairs of leaves from green crepe paper (Figure R). Glue each pair with a wire sandwiched vertically between. Allow 2 inches of wire to protrude.
In a spiral motion, wrap the entire stem with green floral tape. Start taping at the base of the calyx and work downward. Attach the leaves to the stem at intervals by wrapping each wire joint in with tape. Freshen the completed rose petals and leaves by shaping them with the edge of a scissor or your fingertips. One or two romantic roses will look attractive in a crystal bud vase. A grouping of roses designed in contrasting colors can be secured in a foam block that has been placed in the bottom of a tall container. Inexpensive arrangements like this can be used on numerous occasions.