Learn how to create vibrant cempasúchil or marigold paper flowers with simple materials like tissue paper and wire.

Yesterday, I went shopping for materials for my Day of the Dead altar, a cherished tradition that I used to celebrate in Mexico with my family and which brings back wonderful memories of home—I absolutely love it.

I visited two different Hispanic grocery stores, hoping to find marigold flowers for my ofrenda, but unfortunately they were not available in town. Knowing their significance, I decided to create my own cempasúchil flowers using basic materials: bright orange tissue paper, scissors, and wire.

Even if you don't celebrate this tradition, trust me, this tutorial can still be useful for other crafts. Marigold paper flowers are incredibly easy to make and could add a charming touch to birthday party decorations and any other celebrations, and you can use as many colors as you wish!

MATERIALS:

• Orange tissue paper

• Gauge floral Wire or yarn (anything that will keep the flowers together)

• Scissors

How to Make Cempasuchil or Marigold Paper Flowers:

1. Prepare the Tissue Paper:

   • Take a sheet of tissue paper and fold it accordion-style into strips, each approximately 3 to 4 inches in height, maintaining the same width as the original tissue paper sheet.

     2. Make the Petal Cuts:

   • With the folded tissue paper, cut along the edges in a series of fringe cuts. These cuts should resemble a "hula skirt" or thin strips, but leave about 1-2 inches uncut at the center fold to hold the flower together.

3. Create the Marigold Flower:

• Start rolling and overlapping the paper from one end to create a layered effect, resembling the petals of a flower.

• Continue rolling and overlapping until you reach the other end of the paper strip.

  4. Secure with Wire:

• Once rolled into a flower shape, secure the base of the flower with a piece of wire or twist tie.

• This helps hold the flower together and provides a stem-like structure.

  5. Final Touches:

• Fluff out the layers of tissue paper gently to give the flower a fuller appearance.

• Adjust the petals as needed to achieve the desired shape and volume.

  You can experiment with different colors of tissue paper to create a variety of flower hues for other celebrations.

  Consider adding a touch of yellow acrylic paint to the edges of the petals to mimic the natural gradient of marigold flowers or mixing orange tissue paper with orange tissue paper for similar effect.

  Enjoy crafting your own marigold paper flowers and bringing a bit of festive flair to your celebrations!

  More Dia de Muertos crafts HERE.