How to Make a Pipe Cleaner Rose | Free Chenille Stem Flower Tutorial

Step 1: Make the Small Rose Petals

Start by preparing 3 half-length lavender violet pipe cleaners (chenille stems). To make a half-length piece, simply cut one full pipe cleaner in half at the center.

Take 1 full-length lavender violet pipe cleaner and use it as the base. Wrap the three half-length pieces around the full-length pipe cleaner, one at a time, positioning them together to form the structure of the small rose petal.

Next, bend both ends of the full-length pipe cleaner downward. Use the remaining length of this pipe cleaner to wrap tightly around the bottom, securing all the pieces together.

Once everything is firmly secured, gently use your fingers to bend and shape the pipe cleaners into a natural, curved petal shape.

Your first small pipe cleaner rose petal is now ready.

Step 2: Make the Large Rose Petals

The large rose petals are made using the same method as the small rose petals in Step 1. The only difference is the number of half-length pipe cleaners used.

For each large petal, prepare 4 half-length lavender violet pipe cleaners (chenille stems) instead of 3, together with 1 full-length pipe cleaner as the base.

Wrap all 4 half-length pieces around the full-length pipe cleaner, then bend both ends of the base downward. Use the remaining length to wrap tightly around the bottom and secure all the pieces together.

Finally, use your fingers to gently bend and shape the petal, creating the same natural curved form as the small petals.

The extra half-length pipe cleaner makes the petal wider and fuller, which will be used for the outer layers of the pipe cleaner rose.

Step 3: Make the Rose Sepals

Each rose needs 4 small sepals. These are made from soft sage green pipe cleaners (chenille stems) and will sit around the base of the rose.

Step 1 — Prepare the Pipe Cleaner

Take half of 1 soft sage green pipe cleaner (chenille stem).

Step 2 — Fold the Sepal Shape

Measure about 3 cm (1.2 in) from one end and bend the pipe cleaner back to form a narrow loop.

Step 3 — Twist the Bottom

Leave about a 1 cm (0.4 in) tail at the bottom of the 3 cm section. Twist the two sides together firmly at the base to secure the sepal shape.

Step 4 — Secure the Top

Bring the longer end upward along the sepal and twist it around the top of the loop to secure the pointed tip.

Step 5 — Trim & Shape

Use scissors to trim away the excess pipe cleaner at the top and bottom, then gently shape the loop into a neat, pointed sepal.

Quantity: Make 4 small sepals for each rose.

Step 4: Assemble the Pipe Cleaner Rose

Now that all the petals and sepals are ready, it is time to assemble your pipe cleaner rose.

1 — Attach the Small Petals

Take the 3 small rose petals and attach them around the top of the floral stem. Arrange them close together to create the center of the rose.

2 — Add the Large Petals

Next, attach the 5 large rose petals around the outside of the small petals.

Slightly overlap each large petal with the next one as you work around the flower, following the natural layered growth pattern of a real rose. This will help create a fuller and more realistic rose shape.

3 — Attach the Sepals

Once all the petals are secured, attach the 4 soft sage green sepals evenly around the base of the flower, just underneath the outer petals.

4 — Wrap the Floral Stem

Take the floral tape included in your PINKYDIY DIY kit and begin wrapping it around the base of the flower.

Continue wrapping the floral tape downward along the entire floral stem, keeping the tape slightly stretched as you wrap so it stays neat and secure.

Your Pipe Cleaner Rose Is Complete!

Gently adjust the petals and sepals with your fingers until you are happy with the final shape. Your handmade pipe cleaner rose (chenille stem rose) is now finished and ready to be added to your DIY flower bouquet.