How to Make a Duct Tape Rose

Making a Simple Duct Tape Flower

Gather your materials. You’ll need duct tape and a ruler to make the petals of the rose. You’ll also need a craft stick or a straw, whichever you prefer, to make the stem. Using a craft stick will create a sturdier stem, but choose the items you have on hand. You’ll also need some scissors if you prefer to cut your tape instead of rip it.

Tear a 2 x 2 inch (5 x 5cm) square of duct tape. It doesn't have to be exact, but it should be approximately the size mentioned. However, if you want all of your petals to be the same size, feel free to use a ruler to measure 2 inches (5 cm) of width and height. Then, rip or cut off the piece.

Fold the right corner down toward the bottom left corner. But, do not extend it all the way to the opposite corner. Leave about a quarter of an inch of the sticky underside showing so that the border is framing each side. Again, it doesn’t have to be an exact measurement. An approximation is fine.

Fold the left corner down flush with the other corner. Match up the top left corner with the right corner so that they are flush with each other. None of the sticky underside should be showing. As with before, approximations are fine, and it is okay if the corners are not lined up perfectly. This piece is the basis for the petal. Make 7 more petals to make a simple small rose. Make about 14 more if you want a bigger rose.

Wrap the petal around the straw or craft stick. Turn the petal so that the pointy end of the petal sticks up when it is wrapped around the stick. If need be, turn it on an angle to orient it like at an angle. If you continue in this fashion, it creates the appearance of a rose opening.

Continue to lay the petals over each other. Repeat steps 1-4 by wrapping the petals around the stick in the same direction as before. After wrapping all of the petals, you will see that they have formed into a rose. Bend the petals to make them fluff out as much as you want.

Rip off enough duct tape to cover the rest of the craft stick. Seven to 8 inches (17.78 cm - 20.32 cm) should be plenty. Then, place the top left corner of the tape on the bottom of the rose and start to wrap it diagonally around the craft stick. Wrap it all the way down the stem until the rest of the straw or craft stick is covered in duct tape. To sturdy the rose, rip off a one-inch (2.54 cm) section of duct tape, and wrap it vertically around the bottom of the rose and the top of the stick.

Making An Intermediate-Style Rose

Gather your materials. You will need duct tape in any color you want. Choose two colors of duct tape -- one for the rose and one for the stem -- if you wish. You’ll also need some wire or a drinking straw for the stem. But if you want the stem to be sturdier than a straw-based stem would be, opt for the wire. If you don’t have either item, use a pen for the stem instead.

Cut a piece of duct tape long enough to cover the stick, straw or pen. Ten inches (25.4 cm) is a good size. Roll the tape lengthwise sticky-side up around the wire, straw or pen. If you are using a pen, just tape around the outside until everything except for the tip of the pen is completely covered.

Tear a 2-inch (5.08 cm) piece of tape. Again, it doesn’t need to be exact. Fold the top right corner down so that the point touches the midpoint of the square. Leave the sticky side of adhesive showing on the side and bottom. Then repeat with the other corner.

Fold the left corner down so that it touches the midpoint of the square. (These are the classic first two steps in making a paper airplane.) The two folded down corners should look like a triangle, and below it there should be about 1/2 an inch (2.54 cm) of the adhesive side showing on the bottom. Make about 79 petals to make a really full rose.

Wrap the petal around the stem in a tight coil. Place the first petal about 1/4 inch lower on the stem. The center should be lower on the stem than all the rest of the petals to create a look of realism. You’ll need about 4 or 5 petals to form the base of the rose. Wrap the first 4 to 5 petals around the base of the stem tightly to form the center of the rose. Make sure to keep them relatively close to the first petal. To achieve this, roll the first few petals around the stem to form a bud. Use the 1/2 and inch of adhesive on the bottom of the petal to secure it to the stem.

Add a second row of a few more petals. But, this time spread the petals out more by not wrapping them as tightly. Continue to wrap the petals around the stem to form each layer of petals. Stop when you have reached your desired fullness.

Make a leaf in the stem color. You’re going to make a leaf to hide the seam between the rose and the stem. Repeat steps 3 and 4 with duct tape the same color as the stem to make the leaf. Then, stick it under the rose to cover the place where the rose and stem meet. Make two leaves.!

Making A Long Stem With Leaves

Select the material that best suits your rose. Craft sticks are sturdier, but wires allow more flexibility in the stem and the leaves. If you are creating a heavier rose, such as in method two, you might want to opt for the craft stick. But if your rose is smaller with fewer petals, such as the “simple rose,” then the wire will do just fine.

Cut a long piece of wire to about 10 to 12 inches (25.4 cm). If you are using a craft stick, use the longest craft stick you can find. Or, tape two together. Put two sticks next to each other with about 2 cm (0.787 inches) overlapping. Then, put a small piece of duct tape less than two inches (5.08 cm) over it to secure it. You can cover the seam later. To make it look more natural, cut one of the craft sticks to about 2 inches. Then, overlap them and tape them together in the method previously mentioned.

Tear off a piece of duct tape long enough to cover the stem. So, if your wire is 10 inches, rip off at least that much. Placing the upper left corner of the tape at a diagonal wrap the duct tape around the wire.The seams should be diagonal as you wrap them around the stem. Use the same method for the craft stick. Rip off enough duct tape to cover your stem and wrap it.

Cut a strip of duct tape about four inches (10.16 cm) long. Fold it over on itself. Then, cut a leaf shape. The shape should be an oval shape with a point at the top and the bottom, which is a typical leaf form. If you need assistance, use a template online.

Pinch the base of the leaf. When you do this, the sides of the leaf should curl and the point should fold over on itself. With a small piece of tape about an inch (2.54 cm) long and a centimeter (0.393 cm) wide, wrap tape vertically around the base of the leaf so that it remains curved like when you pinched it. This effect makes the leaf look more real. Cut four more leaf shapes and fasten their bottoms with thin strips of duct tape as previously mentioned.

Attach the leaves to the stem. Place a leaf with the folded part facing the stem of the rose against the wrapped wire or stick. Then wrap a skinny piece of tape about an inch (2.54 cm) long and a centimeter (0.393 cm) wide along the stem to secure it. If you have used two craft sticks taped together, place a leaf over the seam where the two sticks overlap and secure it with a small piece of tape as previously mentioned. If the sticks meet at the end of the stick, designate that end as the top of the rose stem near the flower. Attach all the other leaves in a similar fashion.

Attach your rose petals to the stem in the methods mentioned in the earlier sections. In other words, make your long stem first, then roll your first layer of petals on the stem. Allow the other layers to flare out slightly. Keep adding petals until you have reached your desired fullness.

Secure the rose on the stem with a small piece of tape under the stem. Using thin strips of duct tape approximately about an inch (2.54 cm) long and a centimeter (0.393 cm), attach the rose bud to the duct tape-covered stem. Make sure the strips are of the same color as the sepal -- the bottom part of the bud.