How to make a realistic polymer clay rose

by Shuang Liu October 27, 2018

View the Product Used in this Project

I know, I know , you already know how to make a polymer clay rose. There are hundreds of tutorials over the internet related to rose making. However, do you know how to make a polymer clay rose that looks REAL? Today, I am going to reveal all the secrets behind making a realistic polymer clay rose. Hopefully after reading this post, you can bring your polymer clay rose to a whole new level.

First of all, let's think about the characters of a real rose:

a rose usually has a tight center with multiple layers of petals.
rose petals are extremely delicate and thin.
the outside petals of a rose are usually large and curly.
the edge of rose petals are NOT completely smooth.

With those key points in mind, we can start making a "real" rose!

Step 1. cut out polymer clay circles (picture 1)

Using a pasta roller, or clay roller, roll polymer clay to a 1mm thick flat sheet. Using a Wilton Number 7 round piping tip to cut circles (4mm in diameter). Therefore, a circle is 4mm in diameter and 1mm in thickness.

Step 2. prepare the polymer clay rose petals (picture 2)

Rose center: 1 1/2 circles
First layer: 1/4 of a circle
Second layer: 1/2 of a circle *2
Third layer: 3/4 of a circle *3
Fourth layer: 1 circle *3
Fifth layer: 1 1/4 circles *5

Step 3. Shape the rose petals (picture 3--8)

This is the most crucial step for a realistic polymer clay rose. If you want to make a simple rose, all you need to do is to shape the petals into a teardrop (picture 3). However, a real rose petal is much more delicate and thinner than that. To achieve this effect, a foam pad and a ball tool are essential.

As shown in picture 4, using a ball tool, flatten and enlarge the petal on a foam pad multiple times until the petal becomes paper thin (picture 5).

To add more details to the petal, you can cut small indentations around the edge using a craft knife, or a cutter with sharp corner (picture 6). In addition, you can place the petal into a rose petal mold for more texture (picture 7 and 8).

Step 4. assemble the polymer clay rose (picture 9-23)

Now begins the fun part, let's assemble a beautiful rose together!

Starting with a cone shaped center, layer the petals one by one as shown in picture 11--23. A few key points here:

Keep the rose center round and tight (picture 11-17).
Placed the outside petals lower than the rose center (picture 22-23).
Use your finger to give the outside petals a slight curl (picture 21 and 25).
Cut small indentations on the edge of the outside petals using a small scissor (picture 26).

Now your rose is ready! After baking (110C/230F for 30 minutes), you can use the rose in all kinds of projects.

To recap, I listed the most important four points of making a realistic polymer clay rose in the picture below.

Hope your next polymer clay rose can look exactly like the real one! If you have any questions, or want to share your own tips about polymer clay rose making, please leave a comment below!