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How to Make Paper Fan Art

Paper fans were crafted in ancient China and Japan as status symbols, ceremonial or wedding accessories, props for dancing, and other activities. In China, these decorative fans were a symbol of friendship, respect and good luck, whereas the Japanese once thought that the handle was symbolic of the beginning of life and the ribs were the paths that we take along the way. Today, beautiful paper fans are still handcrafted throughout China, Japan and other countries. They are used as decorative pieces, collector items or functionally. Make your own paper fan art using a few materials.

Things You'll Need

  • Patterned scrapbook paper, 12 inches by 12 inches
  • White glue
  • 1/8-inch hole punch
  • 24-inch length of 1/2-inch-wide ribbon
  • Straight scissors
  • Deckle-edged or scalloped scissors
  • 1 sheet of colorful construction paper
  • Stapler
  • Card stock or construction paper, 11 inches by 17 inches
  • 24 flat Popsicle sticks or craft sticks
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Instructions

  1. Scrapbook Paper Fan

    • 1

      Use scalloped or deckle-edged scissors to trim the edges of one side of decorative scrapbook paper.

    • 2

      Fold the straight edge of the paper accordion style. As you fold, the distance of each pleat should be about 3/4 inches apart across the entire sheet of paper. Press down the pleats with your fingers to make nice creases, then fold the paper in half and unfold it.

    • 3

      Cut a 1-inch-long piece of paper from the center inside pleat using the straight scissors. This allows the fan to be easily folded in half.

    • 4

      Gather the pleats of the fan and spread them out. There should be a separation of halves from where you cut out the 1-inch piece. Place one side of each half over the other and glue them together.

    • 5

      Make a hole at the bottom of the center pleat using the hole puncher. Insert the ribbon through the hole and tie a bow.

    Basic Folded Paper Fan

    • 6

      Lay the construction paper vertically. Fold down 1 inch of the paper, along the edge, while making a crease.

    • 7

      Turn the paper over. Fold down another 1-inch piece of paper while creasing it. Turn it back over to the other side and repeat the folding and creasing process until the entire sheet of construction paper is folded.

    • 8

      Gather the creases of one end of the paper. It should look like a fan.

    • 9

      Use the stapler to staple the pleats together.

    • 10

      Cover the staple by tying a ribbon around the end or gluing another piece of construction paper around it.

    Fancy Paper Fan

    • 11

      Fold the construction paper in half vertically. Vertically fold the paper in half again. You should have a small square piece of paper. Pick up the center point of the folded paper and cut around the edges with straight scissors.

    • 12

      Punch a hole through the center point of the folded paper using the hole puncher. Open the construction paper. At the center point, cut it in half to make two long pieces.

    • 13

      Fold down 1 inch of the paper, while making a crease. Turn the paper over; fold down another 1-inch piece of paper while creasing it. Continue folding and creasing until the whole sheet is done. Open the folds.

    • 14

      Glue one stick to the back of each folded pleat. Gather the sticks together at the bottom of the fan and glue them. This is the fan handle.

    • 15

      Decorate the fan with glitter, beads or ribbons.

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