Star Light Star Bright, Let’s Fold a Paper Star Tonight
By DIY Maven
I found instructions for these beautiful folded paper stars in an old magazine called The Workbasket. Not only were the directions indecipherable, the picture illustrations were misidentified. Although your first attempt might be a challenge, it’ll be worth it as the final product will impress your friends and family.
Use them to decorate your trees and presents for your holiday party, or hang them from your light fixtures for your New Years Eve bash.
Supplies
Paper
Scissors or, better yet a Fiskars Rotary Paper Trimmer
Ruler, if using a scissors
A little patience
Note: I used two red and two white paper strips so you can better identify them.
Steps
1. With scissors or paper cutter, cut paper into 4 strips measuring ½ by 14 inches.
2. Fold strips in half.
3. Thread strips through each other, as shown below.
4. Pull together.
5. Lift one of the top four strips backward across the strip below. In a clockwise fashion, fold back the other three top strips backward across the strips below.
6. Tuck the last strip folded backward under the first strip to lock strips together.
7. Fold one strip underneath at a 90 degree angle, creating a triangle, as shown below.
8. Loop the folded strip forward and around and pass it under the square directly below the triangle shape you just created. Pull strip taught and crease to make a sharp edge, creating another triangle on top of the one below.
9. Working clockwise, skip the next strip, then repeat step 8 for the next strip. Repeat step 9 to create a total of 4 points.
10. Turn piece over and repeat making points (starting with step 7) on the other side. You'll have a total of 8 points after this step.
11. Find the 4 strips on top. Pick up the one pointing towards you and push it back, holding it away from you.
12. With the other hand, take the top strip pointing to the right and loop it under and flip it a quarter turn to the side. Turn it a quarter turn again as shown. Pass strip under the square below. Pull strip to fashion a point.
13. Working in a clockwise fashion, repeat steps 11 and 12 until you have 4 points facing you. The last strip will be passed under the first point made.
(Bonus Hint: to make a bow for a present, stop here. Cut the ends of the strips off as close to the points and possible.)
14. Flip the star over and repeat steps 11-13.
15. Cut the ends of the strips off as close to the points as possible.
Attach thread or monofilament for hanger.
P.S. Feel free to post any difficulties you encounter, and I’ll do my best to talk you through them or modify the instructions. Good luck!
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Self-proclaimed Maven of DIY, I'm up for anything from gonzo rehab to dressing a room. Check...
stinkknits
DIY Maven
awjones...you're welcome! Sorry for the hang up. Maybe this will help.
The strip in 11 is gently pushed back; while you're holding it back, that's when you manipulate the red strip to the right, as indicated. Good luck! And let me know how it goes!
My best, Maven.
awjones
I saw these in the Hallmark book titled " home for the holiday and loved them. I looked for instructions everywhere and couldnt find them until now. thanks so much...but i need some help in the completion. I am stuck at step 11 and 12. Can you help me? thanks
Ps I am making them for christmas tree ornaments and i am going to try to get my children to help.
DIY Maven
martimouse
My cousins and I made these about 45 years ago and never found the instructions again after they wore out. Thanks for posting the directions.
Marti
DIY Maven
By the way, these stars make great cat toys!!!
http://www.curbly.com/DIY-Maven/posts/573-Folded-Paper-Star-Awesome-Cat-Toy
SarahM
I tried this as nearly gave up in frustration before I realized that I was doing step 3 wrong: I was weaving the strips over and under each other when I should have been threading them through each other. A close-up that shows what you should be doing there would be helpful.
Now that I've got it down, though, these are fun to make, and they look terrific. Great tree ornaments and very cool bows for wrapping presents!
Three tips: 1) cut the tips of the strips on the diagonal; makes it easier to thread them through the folds. 2) If you don't have 14" paper around, try a brown paper bag or a newspaper. 3) If you want bigger stars, art paper often comes with a side that's 27.5" long, so you only have to cut in one direction (i.e. 1" strips).
Swankymode
DIY Maven
Hey fellow Curbliers. I just found a website from which you can order ready-made stars just like these for a buck fifty a piece or 15 bucks for a dozen. Based on how little paper is used, that's a pretty good profit!
http://www.idlewords.com/christmas/
DIY Maven
elizabethperry
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