Paper Plate Weaving Tutorial

How stunning do these sunflowers made by paper plate weaving look? We are big fans of yarn crafts and weaving here. I have tried and failed at knitting and crochet in the past, so love crafts that are achievable for everyone and this paper plate weaving is a super craft.

How to make Paper Plate Weaving Flowers

Materials

Wool – UK Link/US Link
Paper plates – UK Link/US Link
Plastic needle – UK Link/US Link
Scissors – UK Link/US Link
Sticks
Washi Tape – UK Link/US Link
360 degree protractor (UK Link/US Link)

How to make a paper plate flower weave

You can make your flowers have lots or few petals. You just need to make sure that you have an UNEVEN number of petals.

Maxi loved working out the size of the petals. It is a simple maths project. We decided on 11 petals. So divided 360 (the number of degrees in a circle) by 11 and then marked them out on the rear of the circle. It helps to find the center of the plate to do this. We then extended our marks to the edge. We love our 360 degree protractor (UK Link/US Link).

Using those marks, we then cut the petals. If you have younger children then you might want to do this for them. We shaped our petals.

Now is the time to add the warp threads to your paper plate. We made a small hole in the center for the wool and then wrapped it around each of the petals across the plate before tying it off at the back. We used colour that blended with the plate for this.

Then we started with the weaving. To make it simpler for children we used a plastic needle with a large eye for the wool. You could use a bobbin for older children (you make one by anchoring the end of a 5- or 6-yard length of brown yarn by winding it around your forefinger a couple of times. Then wrap the rest of the yarn around your whole hand. When you have about a foot left, carefully pull the wound yarn from your hand. Wrap the loose end around the center of this yarn a few times and tie it to secure). Tie the end of the wool to one of the yellow threads to secure it.

The weaving process is simple. You go under and over the warp (yellow) thread. We used a variegated brown for the center of our flower as we were making sunflowers.

How beautiful would a wall of paper plate sunflowers look in a classroom!

Make these stunning sunflowers. Paper plate weaving is a simple kids craft and looks amazing

We added ours to sticks that we had wrapped with washi tape and taped them to the back of our paper plate sunflowers.

Other paper plate crafts

Follow Jen Walshaw’s board paper plate activities, crafts and art a on Pinterest.

22 thoughts on “Paper Plate Weaving Tutorial”

Helen Dickinson August 27, 2015 at 2:47 pm

This is such a great idea! These would really brighten up our conservatory. I am going to create our own.

Sonia August 27, 2015 at 3:43 pm

Oh these look awesome, I saw some like this on Pinterest the other week. Very clever.

JuggleMum, Nadine Hill August 27, 2015 at 4:13 pm

Very interesting craft idea – well done

angela hamilton August 27, 2015 at 6:18 pm

they are so beautiful. I might just make these with the kids

Sarah Bailey August 27, 2015 at 7:07 pm

What a fantastic idea – they look so affective as well. x

Gemma August 27, 2015 at 7:43 pm

Love this! So easy yet so effective

cass August 27, 2015 at 8:20 pm

aw I wish my two still enjoyed crafting – these are fab x

Louise Edwards August 27, 2015 at 9:19 pm

these look fab – love sunflowers! Such a clever craft to do – I wonder if I can get my two to try it? xxx

Louise August 27, 2015 at 9:21 pm

love this clever craft idea – we have lots of wool – and I simply adore sunflowers x

Rachel August 28, 2015 at 4:31 pm

These are brilliant, especially as the Sunflower is my favourite flower x

Emma | TheMiniMesAndMe August 28, 2015 at 10:00 pm

These look really great! I adore the pot that they are in too 🙂

Michelle Twin Mum August 28, 2015 at 11:26 pm

These are fabulous, thanks Jen. You really are a font of knowledge. Mich x

Ickle Pickle August 29, 2015 at 10:26 pm

Oh these are brilliant – they look so effective. I love the matching jar too! Kaz x

Kara August 30, 2015 at 8:00 am

These look great – I think Isaac would love to do this

leonii amber August 30, 2015 at 8:40 am

we grew sunflowers in the garden this summer, which are now slowly leaving us again my little one isnt best pleased about it. Might give this ago so she can keep them going until next year. thanks for making it easy to follow!

Laura August 31, 2015 at 9:57 pm

Such a great idea! We love simple crafts at home and this looks like a perfect afternoon craft.

Charly Dove August 31, 2015 at 10:08 pm

What a wonderful idea Jen. It sounds like it’s a great activity for keeping little ones busy too. I can imagine it keeping POD occupied for a little while at least!