Folding Paper Stars
Featured Crafts
Supplies Needed
- Paper
- Scissors
STEPS
1Choose the paper size.
Either Letter size paper (8.5" x 11") or any square piece of paper can be used to make a folded paper star.
a.) Letter size - start out with Letter size paper (8.5" x 11") or paper with the same proportions.
b.) Square - a square is more versatile since it can either be store-bought (e.g. origami paper) or cut from any rectangular piece of paper. Follow these easy steps for making a square from rectangular paper.
2Make the first fold.
Except for Step 3, the rest of the steps are the same for the paper square and the Letter size paper.
The first step is to fold the paper up in half.
3Mark the point "X".
"X" is the point along the paper's left edge that defines the succeeding folds.
a.) Letter size - "X" is the midpoint on the left edge. This can easily be marked by folding the paper in half and creasing the paper lightly at the corners. Unfold.
b.) Square - "X" is the one-third point from the top of the left edge. You can either estimate its location or measure it with a ruler.
4Make the second fold.
Fold the bottom right corner up towards "X".
5Make the third fold.
Fold the bottom left corner over the right edge.
6Make the fourth fold.
Fold the top right corner over the left edge.
7Cut a diagonal line.
Cut a diagonal line starting from the right edge going up towards the left. The resulting triangle is your folded paper star.
For comparison, this is how the folded paper square looks like after doing all the steps above.
8Unfold the paper.
Carefully unfold the triangle to reveal a five-point symmetrical paper star.
More Ideas
Create variety.
Create variety by using different colors and patterns of paper. You can even recycle giftwrap paper or magazine pages for colorful and interesting prints.
Varying the steepness of the diagonal cut in Step 7 affects the thickness of the star's arms. A steep cut will result in a star with very slim arms.
While an almost horizontal cut will make a paper star with broad arms.
Layer two or more stars.
Create stars of different sizes. Glue together two or more stars for a layered paper star. Embellish the center with a button, paper cut-out, pom-pom or beads. Tape a string at the back and hang your layered star for a lovely star ornament.
Make paper stars for special occasions.
Make paper stars for Christmas, Fourth of July, and other special occasions.
Make a papercut star.
Create beautiful papercut patterns inside your star with just one additional step. The labeled triangle on top is the resulting shape after Step 7. The cut edge is labeled as A and the two adjacent sides as B and C.
To make the papercut designs, simply cut random shapes on sides B and C.
Carefully unfold the paper to see the resulting papercut star.
If you want a framed papercut star, glue the star onto background paper to create a frame. You can cut the edges of the paper with edging scissors for a fancy frame.
