Money Bouquet Steps and How to Fold Bills

This fold pattern gives you that “flower” look fast. The fan shape creates multiple visible bill edges, so your bouquet looks full even if you use fewer bills. It’s also forgiving when your stems aren’t perfectly straight because the fan hides small height differences. Use this when you want a traditional money bouquet that photographs well from the front. It works best with crisp bills and clean creases, because the fan edges are what sell the aesthetic.

Start by flattening your bills and marking a center line with a light crease. Fold each bill into a narrow accordion fan from one side toward the center, keeping the fold width around 1/3 inch. Bring the two outer fan edges together at the center and pinch tightly. Then pierce a small hole through the pinched center and thread a thin florist wire or craft pin to hold the shape. Finish by bending the wired base into a slight curve so each petal fan faces outward.

Use a paper scoring tool or the edge of a plastic gift card to press folds harder than your fingernail.

Don’t skip the center pinch — without it, the fan opens and your flower looks like it’s unraveling.

This fold creates a ribbon-like edge that looks extra pretty under bright light. The side loop gives you a gentle curve instead of a flat fan, which is great if your bouquet has lots of stems and you want motion in the photo. It’s also easier to keep consistent than complex origami because the loop is defined by two anchor creases. Use it for bouquets meant to look airy rather than packed. It’s a strong choice when you plan to add a satin bow at the top.

Fold the bill in half lengthwise, then press the crease firmly. Fold one short end inward by about 1 inch to create an anchor flap. Roll the remaining section into a loop shape and press the loop flat where it overlaps the anchor flap. Slide a thin strip of double-sided tape on the overlap area to hold the loop. Attach the loop to a wire stem at the bottom overlap using a small wrap of tape, then bend the stem so the loop faces up.

Use a ruler to measure the 1-inch flap so every petal loop matches.

Don’t rely on tape only at the very edge — overlap needs surface area or the loop will loosen.

This fold makes the money look like it has texture, which is what makes it pop in pictures. The accordion stripes create a striped petal effect that looks bold against ribbon and greenery. It’s also a great way to use slightly imperfect bills because the multiple folds hide minor edge wear. Choose this when you want a high-contrast look and you’re adding dark ribbon or contrasting wrapping paper. It takes a little more time per bill, but the payoff is a very “designed” bouquet.

Press the bill flat, then fold it into accordion pleats with a 1/4 inch width. Keep each pleat the same direction so the stripes line up. Once you reach the end, fold the accordion in half to form a compact fan. Pinch the fold center and secure with a dot of hot glue or a strip of tape. Attach to your stem at the pinched center, then spread the stripes into a flower shape.

If you want your bouquet to look bold and modern, triangle folds create a spiky bloom effect. The points catch light and make the bouquet look more dimensional than flat fans. This is a strong choice for winter-themed gifts because the sharp edges read like stylized snowflakes. It also works when you’re using a smaller bouquet stand since triangle petals fill space without needing extra volume. The tradeoff is that you need consistent triangle sizing for a clean look.

Fold the bill in half, then fold one side down to create a right triangle. Flip the triangle and repeat on the other side so you get a compact triangular wedge. Fold the bottom edge up to lock the shape, then secure with a small strip of tape. Thread a wire stem through a small hole at the locked bottom edge, then twist the wire to hold tension. Arrange triangles in a circle so points face outward and the base sits flat against foam.

This is how you get a layered, high-end look without needing a ton of bills. By using half-bills as inner and outer petals, you create depth that reads immediately in photos. The outer layer frames the inner layer, so even if your inner folds are slightly different, the bouquet still looks intentional. It’s ideal for money bouquets where you’re using a ribbon wrap around the handle and want the petals to look like they have dimension. This fold is also a smart way to use bills with slight wrinkles because the layering hides imperfections.

Cut or fold each bill so you have a consistent half width, then press flat. Create a fan fold on the outer half using 1/3 inch pleats, then pinch the center. Make a tighter fan fold on the inner half using 1/4 inch pleats and pinch the center. Glue or tape the inner fan onto the center of the outer fan. Attach both layers to the stem through the pinched center and reinforce with a small tape wrap at the base.

This is a decorative fold that makes your bouquet look like it has an actual bow structure. The bill bow center gives a focal point, while the surrounding petals can be any fold from this list. It’s the best choice when you want the bouquet to look gift-ready from across the room. The bow center also helps hide your wiring and glue spots, since you can place it exactly where stems converge. Pick this if you’re wrapping a handle or adding a satin ribbon tie.

Fold a bill into a narrow strip, then fold it into a loop and pinch the middle tightly. Make a second matching loop from the same strip and pinch the center so both loops face outward. Secure the pinched center with tape or a tiny glue dot. For the bow look, fold the bottom edge behind the loops and tape it down so it sits flat. Attach the bow center to your bouquet by gluing or wiring it over the stem bundle, then arrange petals around it to hide the base.

Leaf folds make a bouquet look more botanical, and money leaves look especially good next to real or faux greenery. The Z-fold creates a strong ridge, which reads like a leaf vein in photos. You can use these leaves to fill gaps between flower petals, making the whole arrangement look fuller and more intentional. This is a smart pick if your bouquet has a lot of empty space on the sides of the foam block. It also helps hide stem ends because leaves cover the base area.

Fold the bill into a Z pattern by creating two creases that split it into three sections. Press the first crease, then fold again at the second crease in the opposite direction. To get curved edges, gently bend the folded leaf along the ridge and hold for 10 seconds. Secure the leaf by taping the underside where the folds overlap. Attach to a wire stem by poking a hole at the bottom fold point and wiring through, then add a small strip of floral tape to lock it in place.

Bend after creasing, not before. Flexing too early blurs the fold lines.

Avoid leaves that are too small — tiny leaves look like scraps instead of intentional decor.

Scallops are one of the easiest ways to make a bouquet look designed without complicated origami. The half-circle shape creates repeating curves that look like petals in a pattern, and layering makes the cluster look thick. This is a great option when you want a dense top ball, like a wrapped bouquet head. It’s also forgiving with small imperfections because the scallop repetition hides minor unevenness. Choose this fold if your bouquet is going to be photographed from above or slightly angled.

Fold the bill in half lengthwise, then fold again to create a narrow strip. Shape the strip into a half-circle by bending the strip into an arc, then press a crease where it overlaps. Repeat to make multiple identical scallops, then layer them by gluing the flat base of one scallop to the flat base of the next. Attach the first scallop layer to your foam or wire frame using hot glue at the base only. Build upward in layers, rotating each scallop so the curves form a full ring.