Requests for denim flowers have flooded our inboxes lately – everything from denim and diamonds-themed soirees to pink and jean color schemes.

Although we're a bit biased towards fresh flowers in décor, we welcome the opportunity to incorporate non-floral elements (like denim!) into our designs.

Denim flowers are trending not only for the fun, retro early 2000s vibe they exude but also because of their upcycling potential. Sustainability in design is a priority for many brands and creators. Upcycled denim flowers are easier to create than you might think and don't require much more than a few bits of denim.

Here's how to make a denim rose at home using items easily found around your house.

Materials Needed:

· Scrap denim (ideally with some stretch)

· Fabric shears or scissors

· A straight "stem" (can be anything sturdy: a wooden dowel, a chopstick, a paintbrush handle)

· Floral tape

How to DIY a Denim Rose

1. Gather Your Materials.

Collect your denim of choice, shears, wooden stem base, and floral tape. We used light blue fabric and green floral tape for this denim rose, but feel free to experiment with different selections. Using different shades of denim adds variety and depth to your flower.

2. Measure and Cut Denim Strips.

Measure and cut strips of denim to serve as the center and first inner ring of petals.

1 2x5″ strip
1 2x10″ strip
1 3x9'″ strip

3. Twist and Secure the Center and First Layer of Petals.

To create the center twist, fold the shortest piece over the wooden stem base and pinch, then twist the fabric and wind it around your stem to create a tapered shape. Use the floral tape to secure the end. New to using floral tape? To activate the adhesive, stretch it tightly. You’ll notice it then becomes tacky.

Using one of the longer pieces, repeat the process. Pinch and tape the first corner of the folded strip to the stem and then twist and wind, taping the bottom. Keep this layer higher than the center, just like the petals in a rose.

Note: The first layer of petals is the trickiest layer to keep in place! You can use the subsequent petals to support it, but experiment with the strip sizes you previously cut to determine which will fit better with your twisted center.

4. Cut Inner Petals.

Cut four to six petal shapes, proportionate to your center. They can all be slightly different shapes and heights but aim for approximately 3 inches high and slightly less than 2 inches wide.

Next, cut a notch into each petal on the bottom of each petal to create two "legs". The top of the notch will be where the petal starts at the base of your center, so measure against the height you want before cutting the notch.

5. Prep and Attach Inner Petals.

Arrange your petals from smallest to largest. Fold the "legs" over each other to get a cupped shape you are happy with.

Working in a spiral, attach the petals by their legs at the base of your center with tape, making sure the top of the petal is above your last row. The petals should overlap each other by about half.

Step 6. Cut and Attach Outer Petals.

Cut six to eight slightly larger petals, this time making sure you are cutting parallel with the "stretch" of the denim. In this row of petals, you'll want to be able to pull the petal longer, allowing it to curl naturally once on the rose.

Cut a notch in each petal to create two "legs". Again, the top of the notch will be where the petal starts at the base of your rose, so measure against the height you want before cutting the notch.

Instead of crossing the petal "legs" before attaching, in this row you will straddle them across the stem tightly and wrap them before taping, ensuring they stay in place and don't flop backward.

Continue working in a spiral until you have attached all your petals, going in the same direction as the inner petals.

7. Finish Taping.

Cleanly retape over any visible denim below the petal line and retape all the way down the stem to waterproof it.

8. Curl Petals.

Roll the top of the petals tightly to work them into a naturally curling shape, pulling as needed for a realistic look.

9. Place and Arrange.

Choose a perfect setting for your new denim rose, re-fluff and style any petals as needed and enjoy!

That's it - nine simple steps to DIY a denim flower. Whether you're craving a hands-on activity to de-stress or looking for some new décor to spruce up your space, denim flowers will surely boost your mood and inspire the artist in you! Not only can denim roses stand alone as an arrangement, but they can also serve as the perfect addition to a fresh flower bouquet. Consider tweaking the measurements to create larger than life versions for a stunning product display or using different colored denim (like white, for example) for unique and sturdy fabric roses.

Work with our talented design team to bring your own vision to life at your next event! Request a quote here.