Inside: An easy tutorial on making paper roses with old maps and a free rose petal template.

Who doesn’t like receiving a bunch of flowers? Sorry, to put a damper on things; however, eventually, they wilt and die. The flowers go from smelling lovely and sweet to stinking something rotten! So I made some paper map roses.

I’d love to have a regular supply of fresh flowers, but I can’t afford it, and I can’t remember the last time someone gave me a bunch of flowers (Paul, if you’re reading this, that’s a hint). I thought it would be fun to make some everlasting paper flowers.

How to Make Paper Roses With Old Maps

Paper flowers may not compare to real life but they still add colour and glamour to a home. They also make me smile when I spot them.

This is an upcycling blog, and because I am obsessed with using old maps in my crafting, I chose to use them to make these paper flowers.

The map roses are simple to create, and I think they look gorgeous. You can show them all together in a bunch or stick one in a milk bottle.

As roses are Valentine’s symbol, these map roses would make a lovely alternative Valentine’s gift. They look fantastic as a gift topper. Last year I used maps to make some Valentine’s treat map hearts.

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What you need to make map roses

• You can get old maps, atlas, etc., and superb map wrapping paper; however, I prefer to use maps printed on both sides. If that’s not possible one-sided maps will still work but look slightly different.
• Green Floristry wire and Green floristry tape
• Scissors and Pen
• Glue gun and glue sticks
• Red watercolour paint and brush (optional)

How to Make Map Roses

Step 1: First, you must cut out your map-shaped petals. I used a template like this one for three different shaped petals, small, medium and large.

Step 2: Place your petal template on top of the map, draw around it and then cut out the petal shape. For each map rose, you will need six small petals, six medium petals, and six large petals.

Step 3: Cut your floristry wire to the length you want your rose stem to be. Then wrap this wire with the green floristry tape.

Step 4: Adding the petals to your map roses

1. First, roll a small map petal up tight; stick it to the end of your green stem using a glue gun.
2. Take another small petal and gently roll it in your hand to shape it into a slight curve. Dab a small amount of hot glue onto the base of the petal and stick this to your stem.
3.  Continue with the remaining four small petals overlapping them slightly as you go around.
4.  Next, glue your medium-sized petals one by one to the outside of the small petals, overlapping as you go around.
5.  Repeat with the six remaining large petals. 

Step 5: Finishing off your map roses

You can stick a small leaf cut from green paper to the stem to finish your map roses. I also painted the edges of my rose petals with a small amount of red watercolour to add more red to the maps.

Several map roses together create a lovely decoration. You can display them individually in small bottles. They also look imposing together in a bunch. A single map rose makes a gorgeous gift topper, especially if you use maps of meaningful places.

Yield: Map Roses

Map Roses

Print

Use old road maps to make everlasting beautiful map roses.

Active Time 30 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Materials

• Old road maps
• Floristry wire
• Floristry tape
• Glue

Tools

• scissors
• glue gun

Instructions

1. Download petal template from blog
2. Draw around the petal templates onto maps and cut them out.
3. Cover wire in tape
4. Curl up first petal and glue to wire
5. Add the other petals gluing one by one

Notes

Free maps available to download too.

Using this method, I’ve also made gorgeous upcycled denim flower bouquets and other fabric flowers. You’ll also find more paper flower tutorials in this collection of paper crafts for home decor.

You can also make Chrysanthemum flowers out of paper with this free pattern and tutorial.

If you liked this, you would probably like some of my other popular map-themed gifts and crafts, such as these doodle flower decorations and gorgeous map paper bead bracelets.

Map heart garland
Treat map hearts for Valentine’s
Vintage map suitcase
Map heart ornament

If you are making map roses for someone because they love maps, you may want to check out my other personalized map gift idea.

This map upcycle is featured in the A to Z of upcycling ideas and resources and with these adult Valentine craft ideas.

Free Vintage Maps to Download

Vintage maps of New York.