DIY Paper Lanterns with Beautiful 3D Flowers Design
DIY paper lanterns are some of my favorite things! They are simple to make, and can add ambiance to any space instantly.
You can download the free DIY paper lantern templates at the end!
( Update: After I published this tutorial, many people have told me that they used these DIY paper lanterns for their weddings! It is so rewarding to hear that! )
![apieceofrainbow23-1](http://www.apieceofrainbow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/apieceofrainbow23-11.jpg)
These 3-dimensional flower DIY paper lanterns with lights are made with very simple materials:
old drinking glasses or vases, paper, and LED lights or candles! ( Some of the helpful resources are affiliate links. Full disclosure here. )
*Some resources in article are affiliate links. Full disclosure here.
![apieceofrainbow23- (6)](http://www.apieceofrainbow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/apieceofrainbow23-6.jpg)
You may also love these new improved DIY paper lanterns: this new set of paper lanterns are made with plastic bottles and LED string lights!
![Make these stunning Dandelion paper lanterns with up-cycled plastic bottles and paper! Free printable download in this easy and fun paper craft tutorial! | A Piece Of Rainbow](http://www.apieceofrainbow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/make-dandelion-paper-lanterns-apieceofrainbowblog-2.jpg)
Materials and tools for the DIY paper lanterns:
- glass vase or drinking glass with straight sides, such as cylinders or cubes. You can find them even at the Dollar Store!
- paper : I used this great quality index card stock .
- I used a Silhouette Portrait – LOVE that little machine! – but it’s easy enough to cut with an X-acto knife
- double sided tape
- to light up our paper lantern, I recommend LED candles or micro LED Warm White String Lights which are very bright, and are safer than real candles!
![apieceofrainbow23- (1)](http://www.apieceofrainbow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/apieceofrainbow23-1.jpg)
You can download the free DIY paper lantern templates at the end!
![apieceofrainbow23- (2)](http://www.apieceofrainbow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/apieceofrainbow23-2.jpg)
Step 1: Print and cut paper lanterns designs
Print the template on paper, I used sturdy 110lb index card stock such as these.
Cut out the leaves and stems, and cut along the lines of the petals, be careful not to cut too much and cut them off.
Next, measure the size of your glass and cut the excess paper away.
![apieceofrainbow23- (3)](http://www.apieceofrainbow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/apieceofrainbow23-3.jpg)
Step 2: Attach paper lanterns to glass vase
Now the fun part! Gently fold those petals up so the blossoms become three dimensional!
![apieceofrainbow23- (4)](http://www.apieceofrainbow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/apieceofrainbow23-4.jpg)
Use double sided tape to tape the paper onto the outside of the glasses. You will have a beautiful paper lantern!
![apieceofrainbow23- (5)](http://www.apieceofrainbow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/apieceofrainbow23-5.jpg)
Now we can patiently waiting for sunset to light up the candles and appreciate the beauty and magic of these DIY paper lanterns!
Although it is nice to have a bright candle flickering inside the paper lantern, I highly recommend using LED candles or these LED Warm White String Lights which are very bright, and are safer than real candles!
![apieceofrainbow23- (8)](http://www.apieceofrainbow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/apieceofrainbow23-8.jpg)
![apieceofrainbow23- (7)](http://www.apieceofrainbow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/apieceofrainbow23-7.jpg)
![DIY-Paper-Lantern | A piece of Rainbow](http://www.apieceofrainbow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DIY-Paper-Lantern-ApieceofRainbow.jpg)
Download the free paper lantern templates here
Love paper and art? You need no art experience to make this watercolor in 10 minutes, but you do need a toothbrush, wha?!?
![apieceofrainbow_watercolor-tree (1)](http://www.apieceofrainbow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/apieceofrainbow_watercolor-tree-1.jpg)
Another set of paper lanterns are here! With colored glow!
![apieceofrainbow27 (15)](http://www.apieceofrainbow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/apieceofrainbow27-15.jpg)
Happy crafting!
Hi Ananda!
I used these paper lanterns to decorate tables at the rehearsal dinner for my son’s wedding. They were beautiful!! Everyone were amazed that these were paper & since I had to ship decor out of state, I used plastic water bottles with river pebbles in the bottom. I’d love to share those pictures if I could figure out how, here. Thanks for sharing this beautiful art work!!!
hi Kim! congratulations!! and thank you for sharing your beautiful experience! we are looking at ways for readers to post pictures hopefully soon! 🙂
Hi, I am trying to get the paper lantern template I subscribed but no email has been sent to download the template . Please help .
Hi Donna! please check promotions folder in gmail! 🙂
Why can I not download the houses? I subscribed to the letter. There is no link to be able to print or download these
hi! link to ALL free downloads is in our weekly newsletter & welcome email! please check promotions folder! 🙂
Hi Ananda! These lanterns are gorgeous!! Have you done these paper lanterns using colored paper? If so, how does it turn out? My wedding colors are sapphire blue and copper/rose gold. Love the lanterns but would like to incorporate my colors. Any suggestions? Thank you!
hi Leah! congrats!! 🙂 i think colored paper would be lovely! regular thickness paper is probably better than thick card stock. definitely test one first! 🙂
Those look amazing. But I could not download it. I have tried all ways you said, do you think you could send it to my email, please? I am looking forward to seeing it.
Thanks
so pretty
Hi Ananda,
I just signed up for a subscription, and the downloads link in my confirmation email took me to a page with all of the projects with the “download” listed beneath each one. When I click on them, nothing happens. When I try to open it in a different tab, it tells me to register all over again. Can you please help me?
hi rachel! maybe your browser is blocking the pdf or zip file from popping up. have you tried firefox or chrome?
Why am I unable to download the files when I click on download?
hi Phyllis! a page or a pop up should open, and you can just right click or choose “save”. 🙂
where and how can I download the templates?
hi! all downloads are in our subscribers free library, the link is in each weekly newsletter. 🙂
I can’t find the download button for the templets. Can you tell me where it is?
hi tina! the red button in our weekly newsletter and in the email when signing up will take you there! 🙂
HI, Is this website still alive? I have clicked and clicked and subscribe but I can’t find any link for the download. Is it on this page or we have to wait for the email to come? How long does it take for the email/ newsletter to be sent? sorry, I have opened more than 10 pages and I’m getting frustrated. Checked my spam folder too, nothing there.
A button at the bottom of each newsletter takes you to all downloads, And here- enjoy the dowload page https://www.apieceofrainbow.com/creative-fun/ 🙂
No templates! 🙁
A button at the bottom of each newsletter takes you to all downloads 🙂
Hi Ananda,
Thank you for sharing this tutorial and tamplate. I wonder if you have the svg version of the template to use with the cricut to be able to cut and score the lines.
hi elise, i think cricut can convert the pdf to cut line. no score lines in this project, just curle the petals by hand. hope that helps! 🙂
I thought I was going mad cos I can’t findvtemplates either. HELP PLEASE as I’m desperate to try this. They are gorgeous
Hi, it’s so beautiful. Somehow I can’t find the templates for both lanterns. It says download below and them there’s nothing there. Can you tell me where they are? My daughter and I are really excited to try this! Aya.
Would love the SVG file for these as well! so cute!!
Vey interesting!
HI I have just come across your wonderful post !! I really want to make some of these for he summer. Can I ask is there an issue with health and safety for the paper white and coloured that you use alongside the candle?
thanks
hi michele, the papers are non toxic. if you use real candles, just take basic cautions because there is fire. LED candles are great and much safer! =)
Hello! I’m trying to download the pattern and nothing. It keeps asking me to join the emailing list and I have. I also tried emailing the project to myself am still nothing. I really need to print the pattern out because I will be hand cutting them and I need to make 50! Help please!!
hi nery, you can find it here – http://www.apieceofrainbow.com/creative-fun/
enjoy!
So pretty and unique. I will have to try with my cutting machine.
Hi I just love those luminaries but I have a Cricut. Is it possible to just get the SVG file as I can’t cut Silhouette files They are really beautiful would love to make them, hanks
hi marty! use this and the pdf – http://image.online-convert.com/convert-to-svg
At first glance, I thought these were pinecones… a thought for the holidays?
great idea Dawn! thank you! more on the way!! =)
is there a file to down load for this candle wrap?
These are beautiful. great job!
yes Liz, link is in the post somewhere! =)
Hi there, love these candles..I used to be a cardmaker and love doing paper crafts so I know I’d love this but am wondering what I could use for other templates as well, is there somewhere you got your deisgns…or could you share more designs with me?? Thanks,Lisa
thank you lisa! there’s another set on this blog if you go to DIY on the top menu. i will create more in 2015. i did try to design one for the holidays but was not 100% satisfied with how they turned out, will keep working on them! =)
: ) I got it, just double tapped on it.
I was making it harder than it should have been.
These mac computers are a little different.
thank you lora for sharing! this will help other mac users! =)
Bonjour,
Avez- vous d’autres modèles de “paper cutting” pour lanternes?!
Merci
Cordialement.
So cool and beautiful! I could see one as a gift for a “crafty” friend, but also include your new template and paper as part of the gift. 🙂
Hi!!!
I want to make these for gifts, but I can’t get the templates to download 🙁
try ask some friends to download it and email it to you! it works – thousands of downloads already =)
What a great article, and thanks for posting it to DIYselfies! i will add them to my queue today! i hope you will get loads of new fans!
Mia Maria
thank you dear mia! i am so honored! =)
Ananda, i love your articles! we now feature them on our Facebook and DIYselfies pages! I hope they will bring you many new fans!
Mia
super idea. thank you so much
Beautiful ! Thanks so much of sharing these beautiful projects just in the process of making them.
Marie
Ananda,
when i pull the file in to the silhouette studio it only has one of the deisgns and i know there are 3 on the first and 2 on the second.
suggestions? trace?
thank you they are very beautiful!
Hi sam, the studio file has 1 design because i just moved things around to make variations according to the glass sizes. =)
love these! I am trying to download them and they download to my computer but when I try to open the silhouette one I get a message “There is no application set to open the document “dimensional-paper-apieceofrainbow.studio3”. I have a silhouette cameo and updated the software – I know I must be doing something wrong – can you help me out?
hi paige, you may need to unzip the file first – try stuffit, it’s free – then it should open! =)
I love these! I downloaded template into SIL DE but it did not trace well. Was I supposed to import a different way? TIA
hi rose, that’s what i used, & some readers have made them too, not sure why yours are not cutting right, make sure all lines are set at 0 !
I have a Silhouette Cameo and have found the perfect giveaway I’ve been looking for for my son’s wedding. Thanks for sharing!
yay! congrats! so glad to know that! =)
Very pretty, love lanterns like this 🙂
These are stunning
Oh how delightful! I just love them and looking forward to making them in all shapes and sizes.
Thanks for sharing and just love your blog site.
XXOO
Simply lovely and creative.
excellent /
So delicate! This would be absolutely perfect on my desk!
Woww !!! Amazing…. How thick is the paper ?? How weight , 100 gr ?? Or 150gr
thank you! it’s more like 165gsm or a little heavier. i wish all the paper is labeled in gsm! =)
Merci de nous faire voir ce très bel ouvrage de décoration , très facile à faire avec un résultat magnifique ,il faut continuer à nous faire de si belles choses ,beaucoup d’imagination , merci encore . Régine
I love these lanterns, but I am not able to get them downloaded onto my Cricut Design Space, even after converting it to a SVG. Does it only work on Silhouette?
hi diane, cricut can trace pdf cut lines. if you google that, there are some good tutorials.:)
Those are so beautiful! What a great DIY! I’d love to use these for an outdoor dinner.
These are beautiful! I love that it is a fairly simple concept that creates a very dramatic look!
Wow!!! These lanterns are BEAUTIFUL! I love how gorgeous and almost 3-D like they are. I need to make some of these because I love things that glow in the night too! And, I have to laugh – because you and I have the exact same glasses. Hahaha! So, now I know exactly how mine will look provide I can cut them out right! 🙂
dear kristi that means we both have a lot of miss-match plates too haha!! xo
So pretty!! I need to make some of these!
These are really cute!
These are so gorgeous! Very simple!
These are SO cool! Definitely will be making these.
Oh my you’re amazing! They look absolutely beautiful, well done you. Mel xx
thank you mel! i so loved reading about your home on design sponge!! xo
Those lanterns are so pretty! I’m going to have to bust out my Cameo and make some of these!
thanks carly! those little machines are so fun!
Those lanterns are really pretty! I would probably butcher the job but I still might give it a try
thank you lissa! i am certain you will make some amazing ones! =)
These are so simle and gorgeous!
Those are beautiful! This will definitely be my next project!
These look gorgeous!
Merci beaucoup pour ce partage ! Les photophores sont magnifiques !
thank you so much! =)
So pretty! What a great DIY.
thank you jenn!
These are beautiful! Thank you for sharing! I am going to pin for sure.
thank you ashley ! =)
Wow, they look amazing with such simple materials!
thank you sarah! xo
These are amazing, I’m pinning this later 🙂
thank you sarah! =)
Beautiful! Totally pinned so I can try this sometime – can’t wait to see your next design!
thank you rebekah!=)
Those are awesome! I’m pinning this for later
thank you brita!
Love this will re-use small jars that hold my scented candles x
thank you elizabeth! Xo
Woah! These look so fancy!!!
These are beautiful, what a lovely and inventive idea! I’d love to see this with coloured glass shining through the paper holes!
Katie <3
thank you katie! i love colored light and will have to make one! =)
This is amazing! It looks so beautiful! Great job and thanks for sharing! 🙂
thank you dear paulina! =)
This is super cute thanks for sharing, I have bookmarked this post for future use
these are beautiful. great job!! 🙂
great idea, I love these candles they are gorgeous
Okay, this is really really cool! Great work!
thank you kendall!=)
Lovely! Nicer than candles as a centerpiece for a nice company dinner!
thank you! we’ll use them for our next company dinner =)
Easy and so fabulous! Could be cute to glue thin paper of another color on the back before cutting too…that way when they fold out, there’s a pop of color visible. Just a thought!
love love the idea cailin! it may just be my next project! =)
Great idea. Might be nice for a wedding too 🙂
hi alexa! i love weddings, especially the decor =)
A gorgeous make as always, you’re innovation is just brilliant x
emma you are so sweet!! xo
This is so neat!
thank you neely!
LOVE these! I can’t believe how easy they are to make….and they look so great!
thank you betsy! =)
I just LOVE these! Thank you for the templates – making them today!
awesome jamie! =)
I cant find the templates arghhh . HELP a woman out here please😁
hi julie, did you check junk mail? subscribers confirmation email has a button that leads to all downloads 🙂
Omg, how did you get the templates? I subscribed and verified the email, yet I cant get the templetes! Keeps going back to the subscribe page! Very frustrating. Maybe you can email them to me? Im mscharley2u@gmail.com
This is so beautiful dear friend. I wish you had this idea for my contest :).
nice to have ya here tarun! my problem is i have ideas to keep 100 of me busy but there aren’t 100! =)
Hello, Im loving all your DIYs! Especially the paper lanterns! I subscribed, got the email, clicked the big confirmation button, looked for the templates to download and it keeps saying I have to sign up, which I did, so it says if you did subscribe there is a button on the news letter, yet on the tutorials it says you can download at the end which is a down right fib cause you or I cant! Not cool! Can you please send me the templates via email or a link to the download, PLEASE! These are so cute and i want to cut them with my cricut. I would like all 3 templates. Please please please help a fellow crafter out! Ill send or post pics later today after im done. …if I get the twmpletes that is.
Thank you.
Charley
A button at the bottom of each newsletter takes you to all downloads, And here- enjoy the dowload page https://www.apieceofrainbow.com/creative-fun/ 🙂
They are very cool!! They look easy to make but the cutting part ….oh!
Besitos
come on sofie, you can do it! =) especially knowing how talented you are! xo