Durham Tech Virtual Crafternoon: Paper Stars!

Submitted by Durham Tech Library on

It's time for another virtual Crafternoon! Crafternoons are a partnership between the Durham Tech Student Government Association and the Library. 

Video with step-by-step images on how to create paper star wreaths.
How to make paper stars in 11 seconds. 

Today, I'll walk through how to make paper stars, which--depending on the size of paper you use-- can be used as a decorative wreath or just decoration. Heck, if you want to make a lot of them, you can even make a paper star garland! 

Do you want six pages of scrapbook paper to make your own paper star wreath? We have some scrapbook paper kits available for current students to pick up at the Main Campus Library. Request your paper through our Wufoo form-- current students only, please

Let's begin!

Here's what you need (just the basic supplies)-- 

Supplies: paper, staplers, and scissors
  • 6 pieces of paper, any size, cut into a square or already square
  • Staples/a stapler [this is what I'm going to use], glue, or tape, depending on how thick your paper is-- larger and/or thicker paper needs something stronger to keep it together
  • Scissors

One piece of scrapbook paper

You may want to develop your own work flow for this.

Take your sheet of square paper and you're going to fold it corner to corner to make a triangle. 

Folded piece of scrapbook paper

See? Triangle. 

Piece of scrapbook paper folded again

Fold it again in half to make a smaller triangle. 

Four cuts into the folded scrapbook paper-- this will make the points of the star

You will then have three sides (because triangle): on the side that is open-but-folded, cut through in about 1" strips at a slight angle. You'll want to leave about 1" uncut at the crease, but may need to cut in further with the smallest cut (4). 

Close-up of cuts

You can measure if it makes you feel better, but I usually eyeball it. Make sure to cut through all the paper. (You can use these first cuts as a template for the other pages if you want.)

Unfolded scrapbook paper with cuts visible

Unfold your piece of paper. 

Joining the cut portions together to make loops

You're going to join the corners you've created-- A to A is probably the hardest one to staple because it's smaller. If the stapler won't fit in the loop, feel free to use tape. Remember it's paper, so you can reshape it gently. 

Turning over and joining the next two cuts to make another loop

Flip the paper over and join the next inner corners (B to B). I usually overlap about halfway. 

Turning over and joining the next two cuts to make another loop

Flip the paper over again and join the next corners (C to C). 

Turning over and joining the next two cuts to make another loop

Flip the paper over again and join the next corners (D to D). 

The final two cuts joined to make a lobe of the star wreath

Finish joining the corners (E to E). and this is how it should look. 

Repeat the steps until you have 6 star lobes

Repeat the process 5 more times so you have 6 in total. 

Lay out the star pieces

I lay out my pieces so that the larger loop and smaller loop are lined up (D to E). If you're doing different colors or patterns, this gives you a chance to arrange your wreath. You don't have to line it up this way. 

Center points need to join together

In order to begin to create the wreath, you are going to first join the pieces in the center. 

Close-up of joined together center points

Remember: This is paper, so you're going to have to gently smoosh the pieces as you join all the center points.

Line up the center points and staple (one will usually do)-- it doesn't have to be perfect, but line them up as best you can. 

Structure the rest of the wreath by stapling the side points together

Once you've joined the center, you're going to connect the different pieces. At the place where D and E meet, you're going to staple these 

Close up of stapler joining lobes of star

These points should line up pretty closely (don't force it, but you can manipulate it). and the staple will help to structure the wreath. 

Areas to be stapled circled

Staple all the pieces together between D and E until the wreath is complete. 

Completed star wreath

Done!

To hang, loop string between two or three of the loops on the back. Be a little gentle-- it is paper, after all! 


A note about paper-- The 12" x 12" scrapbook paper (available at your local craft store or online) is a good size for the larger star, and one pack will get you several completed stars. The double-sided colored paper is more expensive, but makes a lovely star. You can also use magazine pages or printer paper. Cardstock might be too thick, but try it if you want. Construction paper is a little too flimsy, so I don't recommend it, but it's certainly doable if it's the only thing you have. 

Smaller paper star made of book pages

Remember those book pages you may have left over from our summer blackout poetry Crafternoon? You can use 6 of them (cut into a square) for this! 

A note about fasteners or adhesives-- The thicker the paper, the sturdier the fastening needs to be. For scrapbook paper, staples or something equally as sturdy should be used. Glue can be used, but will need to be held in place while it dries so the paper adheres firmly. For thinner papers, a glue stick will work fine. Tape loops (to be invisible) might work, but sometimes will come unfastened on thicker paper. Just be aware. 


Share pictures of your paper stars with us on Facebook, Instagram, or by emailing them to us at library @ durhamtech dot edu. 

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