Toilet Paper Roll Sunflowers
Made from painted toilet paper rolls, these colorful sunflowers are a great way to decorate your wall. The great thing about this design is that you can make these Toilet Paper Roll Sunflowers as big or as small as you like, and they're great decor for a bathroom or bedroom. Toilet paper roll crafts are a great way to save on supplies and use what you have. In fact, people won't believe you used them for this project. If you want to add a whimsical touch to plain walls, this is the perfect DIY project.
Materials:
- 7-10 toilet paper rolls
- Paint
- 2 coffee cups, knitting needle, and tape (optional)
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
These Toilet Paper Roll Sunflowers are awesome, but they aren't the only way to craft with toilet paper rolls. The projects feature in our free downloadable eBook, 14 Toilet Paper Roll Craft Ideas are unexpected and unique. Learn how to create crafts for Christmas, jewelry and so much more.
Instructions:
- Measure the space where you want your flower to be. You’ll need to know how wide your space is so you know how large to make your flower. For me, my flower has to fit in a 24” space.
- Next I’m going to cut up all my toilet paper rolls. The amount you need will depend on how big your flower is. For a flower about 24” wide, I used 7 toilet paper rolls and 1 paper towel roll. One toilet paper roll should yield you anywhere from 14-16 petals.
- To make your petals, flatten your toilet paper roll.
- Cut slices about ½ inch wide. It’s helpful to build your flower as you cut so you don’t cut extra toilet paper rolls that you can use later on!
- Here’s my flower so far. I also have some extra petals just in case. Make sure you take a picture of your design so you have something to refer to when it’s time to assemble your flower.
- I like to paint my petals after I’ve cut them…that way I can paint the cut part of the paper as well. If you’d rather paint the rolls before you cut them, go right ahead. Either way will work.
- To paint my petals, I turn 2 coffee cups upside down and tape a long knitting needle to the bottom of the cups. After I paint a petal, I put it on the needle to dry. The paint washes off the needle with soap and water, but if you’re worried about your needles, you could also use a stick, rod, or pencil to dry your petals.
- Once your petals are dry, you can start gluing them together. With a hot glue gun, add a little dab of glue to one side of the petal and begin creating the inside of your flower.
- You can then begin gluing petals between the spaces of your starter flower until it’s as big as you want it to be.
- As I began gluing, I decided to make 5 different flowers rather than one large one.
Let's face it - everyone has toilet paper rolls on hand. Now is the time to use them to create some eye-catching toilet paper roll crafts. Check out this (free!) collection of 50+ Uses for Toilet Paper Rolls for even more great ideas for using up those cardboard tubes. We even have ideas from readers just like you - you won't believe what they came up with.
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Weberme
May 22, 2018
Wow Becky Sue I love your idea of using scrapbook paper on the roll before cutting instead of paint. It will give it a textured look. All you have to do is add mod podge on roll and put paper down and put more mod podge on top. You can even use up scraps. This willlook so cool on a canvas board in any room. This can make a great gift idea too. You do not even have to tell it is a toilet paper roll. This will give a 3-D look and so fast and easy.
princess6860504
May 21, 2018
This is probably one of the most ingenius crafting ideas for recycling or repurposing that I have ever seen. The only thing is, you most likely do not have a vast number of toilet paper and paper towel rolls already in your house unless you have a family of 20! You will have to save them up. Fun idea to pass the time. Great decor idea.
SissieSass
Jan 27, 2017
I made several of these flower designs in the past. I love how they turn out because you can take something so simple and make it beautiful and fun. I really love the one where you can make a gate that looks like you can open it with toilet paper rolls.
sparklesmine 75541 52
Jul 13, 2016
I love this idea it is so cool! I am always amazed the imagination and creativity in this group. I've started collecting my toil rolls, can't wait to make some. I'm thinking spray paint with a metallic gold or silver paint.
pennymindingmom 87 20145
Mar 27, 2016
I love this idea. Do you find that the bigger designs lose shape as they hang over time because of the weight? Do you need to add extra support?
BeckySue
Mar 11, 2016
Here's a tip I thought of to make them even more interesting without painting Wrap the toilet paper tubes with a sheet of scrapbooking paper first before cutting! Scrapbook paper is so beautiful but I never have enough uses for it.
rchlbrntt 5052592
Mar 06, 2016
A little less creative, but for all of my fellow, "Hmmm, what can I do with these?" And my fellow, "Oh look, there are six left..." I used these cut in half, in a box as dividers for some ornaments whose box had been somewhat demised over the decades! I keep a few paper towel rolls handy near the toilet, for obvious reasons, which obviously don't involve flushing afterwards! But if it's a minor challenge you are facing, it is easy to then toss, w/out hassling Mr SPLASH! and then having to clean it, etc! This project does look like fun though! (But if you are doing the kitchen pieces? I'd spray w/hydrogen peroxide and hang to dry first!)
Ami Chy
Jul 01, 2015
How can I post tutorials like this one? I mean step by step and also with pictures?
FaveCrafts Editor JL
Jul 01, 2015
Hi there! If you'd like to submit your own projects, you can do so here ---> http://www.favecrafts.com/contest/Share-Your-Project Thanks! Julia from FaveCrafts
rchlbrntt 5052592
Mar 06, 2016
Thank you for reassuring me that I am not alone, and good luck on THIS part of your next project! )
TrishavilasNC
Aug 29, 2014
I can't wait to try and make these flowers. They look really neat and I can think of fun things to do with them already.
ssgranny2 1300623
Aug 22, 2014
This looks interesting to make but only thing I would do differently would be to assemble the whole flower, and when done gluing, etc, I would spray paint the whole thing according to my dcor...save so much time I would think.
Melissa Ryan
Aug 22, 2014
Hi ssgranny2--Thanks for the comment! Yeah, that would be a great idea! Give it a try and let us know how it goes!--FaveCrafts Editors
regiooaksartist
Jan 06, 2014
These are so cute!! I love using toilet tissue and paper towel holders. So many FUN things to do with them. I have made bracelet holders using them, snowflakes, flowers and even mummy candy containers. Like I said..so many fun things. Smiles, Regina
moratipat 2338557
Dec 30, 2013
Could someone please let me know what sort of paint to use when making the toilet roll sunflowers. They look great and I'd love to have a go at making one. Thanks.
regiooaksartist
Jan 06, 2014
Hi there...you can do so many things besides paint them. They look great wrapped on fabric or yarn too. When I do paint them, I use acrylic paints. I paint the roll before I cut it. Hope that helps. _ Smiles, Regina
moratipat 2338557
Dec 30, 2013
Could someone tell me what sort of paint you use for this craft. They look great and I'd love to have a go at making one. Thanks.
adelechatelain 166 8752
Sep 11, 2013
It would be nice if I could view a few of those flowers when they are all done. I will do this project.br br Adelebr br
RoyTrigger
Sep 03, 2013
after you paint the petals how do you put them on the needle since you have it taped down, sorry i am not following. thank you
regiooaksartist
Jan 06, 2014
Hi there _ I have made lots of things using toilet tissue holders. It's easier if you're going to paint them to paint the whole roll before cutting out your petals. I take a wire coat hanger and untwist the hook part at the top. Then slide a few rolls on it, twist the hook part back enough so that I can hang it up where nothing is touching the wet rolls. You can also take two cans and put a ruler on top of them. Space them out so that you can slide a roll or two on the ruler so they can dry. You can also wrap the petals in fabric or yarn too for a different effect. Smiles, Regina
PreciousnArp
Jul 06, 2013
Paper towel rolls are the same size and toilet paper plus you get more on a roll. I think this is a great idea. I love it.
bethlord78 2740322
Jul 04, 2013
Love the idea. I've been thinking about how to do mine and this is what I've come up with; Sunflower (right?) so paint the center dark brown or black depending on the size of your center, and idea #2 is I'm going to cut my "petals" with pinking shears to give it that POP and in memory of my mom who was always proud of the things I made, especially my crochet projects. They were her scissors! I love you momma and miss you it hardly seems like 2 years already. Thanks for everything.
suburgess72 137131 8
Jul 01, 2013
What a brilliant Idea. I knit, crochet and sew mostly. but I do like that idea. I reckon if you were to glue the made flowers onto a backing, they would make nice placemats too, or dish stands. If you didn't back them with anything they could then be disposable mats.
wrodgers1954 17873 89
Jun 27, 2013
I have made enough to almost fill a wall. i am giving them away to family and friends. I have made 4 different sizes and used the colors according to their (family and friends) color likes and wall colors. This has been an easy and fun project. i even had one family member request one set for her living room. I had already planned on giving her a set. I even used metallic paint. Turned out to be beautiful design.
judabugger 5665890
Jul 07, 2013
can you post photos of metallic ones. we would love to see them.
rosiej31
Jun 26, 2013
Wow! This looks so cool! I'm going to try this, but will start off small and see how it comes out. BTW, did one of my friends tell you about my stash of "junk/craft surplus" that I hide/hoard very cleverly out of sight? Just for that I won't surprise them with a "toilet" gift! ;-)
ginamfurman 354261 1
Jun 20, 2013
Great idea, but what did you use to cut the rolls with? Every time I try using scissors I end up cutting crooked!
wrodgers1954 17873 89
Jun 27, 2013
I marked 1/2" with ruler then drew lines. Use a pencil. then painted after cutting. I also tried to paint before and after cutting. Have to do clean up painting if Painting before cutting. Either way mine cut with curves in them but still don't look too bad.
rrats56 2394845
May 03, 2013
Love this idea, flowers for little girls room. Cant wait do so one
kittenkat58 838007 9
Apr 29, 2013
I think its a great, always looking for any trash to treasures...
zateyrich 9681167
Apr 14, 2013
saved a bunch of t'paper rolls, always had a feeling it will come in handy... am so happy with this project it's really beautiful and perfect... must diy
ladonasmile 955836 5
Apr 12, 2013
I never thought toilet paper could be so beautiful. ive used it before in crafts but i never seen it done like this before, its a brilliant idea. I am so going to try it.
salenev 7136491
Apr 12, 2013
This is such a cool idea! I'm going to start saving paper rolls asap!
wrodgers1954 17873 89
Apr 12, 2013
I am in the middle of making mine. The craft paint I am using is very flat. So I added a coat of satin varnish. Since this is so time consuming, I think I am going to try and spray paint the next ones. I am going to make several sets of flowers for my family. And I like the idea of painting the center a darker color. Love all the ideas. Thanks Melissa. Keep crafting, Wanda R.
KRAFTY ONE KOSTY
Apr 11, 2013
this is a super idea...... REALLY CUTE SIMPLE AND FUN TO MAKE WITH KIDS OR TEEN AGERS...
ejeanne76 0294051
Apr 10, 2013
This is a great classroom craft, at no cost for parents ( always makes them happy)
Iceni
Apr 07, 2013
I love it. I spray painted my flowers, AFTER I used the glue and then the glue wasn't noticable.
normkarankalie 039 1140
Mar 25, 2013
This is so nice and can be dressed up with just a little thought. Thanks I will use this w/grandson and Church group!!
rosemarie1031 4525 519
Mar 25, 2013
Fabulous darling another great idea for my two bags of TP & PT rolls For years I have designed tube towns. I'm getting excited now! Thank you.
delidiva6953 36860 12
Mar 25, 2013
I love this idea!!! I have sunflowers all over my house and cannot wait to try this project!!!
prosenswie 0408878
Mar 25, 2013
Nice idea! I attempted the petal painting and decided to spray paint mine after construction. It worked very well and was much faster.
judyjay1 7688365
Mar 25, 2013
Mellissa, this is so great! Everytime I go to throw away an empty toilet paper holder , I always hesitate knowing that there must be someway to recycle it. These flowers are so pretty and now the ideas are flowing in my head. The colors and sizes and Im looking forward to making these with my grandkids. This is a wonderful way to recycle. I LOVE it. Thanks so much, You rock, Judy
bdteboe
Mar 25, 2013
I think they look more like Zennias than sunflowers. Cute idea though and cheap to.
bobbylonardo 50143 99
Mar 25, 2013
I think it would be even cuter if you paint the center 6 petals in a dark brown or black so it would look more like a sunflower. I may try this with the T.P. rolls I've been collecting.
DodyKae
Mar 25, 2013
Such a deal! This is a very creative and clever idea, and I'm going to make some. Thank you so much for sharing, and for proving that we can make use of almost anything!
chantall 3175380
Mar 25, 2013
have been trying to think of ways to use the old rolls I love your idea will be trying it, I think the kids will love it to thanks :)
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