Pairing striking monochrome shades with the softest blush pink, this starry paper hanging hits all the right Nordic notes. The tree branch and wooden beads keep things feeling natural, while its stars and snowflakes create clean lines and contrasting texture. Papercraft expert Sarah Louise Matthews teaches you how to make a paper origami Christmas star in this tutorial which you can then use as festive decoration all around your home. If you need some pretty festive papers to make your Christmas stars from then never fear. We have some free traditional Christmas paper printables, white Christmas printable papers, and many, many more. Choose some that suit your home and Christmas decor and get printing! Once you’ve learned how to cut and fold this trio, create longer lengths to decorate your Christmas tree or use individual shapes to add a flourish to your gifts. Make sure you also check out our how to make origami stars from fabric scraps tutorial. But now let's hand it over to Sarah for her paper origami Christmas star tutorial.
You will need:
- A3 double-sided coloured paper in blush pink, patterned blush pink, black, patterned black and white
- White thread
- Sewing needle
- Twine
- Clear sequins
- 23 wooden beads, 1.5cm (5/8")
- Eight wooden beads, 0.5cm (1⁄4")
- Crimp beads
- Branch, cut to 30-40cm (117/8 -133⁄4")
- Craft knife
- Cutting mat
- Embossing tool
- Templates from Mollie Makes issue 86
To make a blush pink origami star, start by cutting four 1.5 x 42cm (5/8 x 143⁄4") strips of paper. Fold each strip in half along the length, then cut the two ends into a point, as shown.
Slide the fourth folded strip horizontally over the third strip, positioning the fold at the left, then thread the pointed ends in between the layers of the first strip.
Fold the upper layer of the right strip to the left, over one strip, then thread the pointed end of the strip through the loop. Pull the strip tightly to lock it in place.
Take the top right strip and fold it backwards and to the right, so the strip is at a 90° angle to its previous position, with a 45° fold.
Take the pointed end of the strip folded in Step 8 and loop it up, as shown, before threading it down through the loop below the fold.
Pull the strip all the way through, working the top into a neat point before flattening with your finger. Trim off the excess, as close to where it exits the loop as you can.
Turn the piece 90° to the right again, repeat Steps 8-10, then turn the piece 90° to the right and repeat Steps 8-10 once more.
Turn the piece over. Repeat Steps 8-9, pulling the strip all the way through and working the top into a neat point before flattening. This time, instead of trimming the excess, fold it upwards at 90°, so it points vertically away from it.
Take the upward-pointing strip on the right and bring it towards you and to the right, creating a neat 45° fold at the base, as shown.
Take the pointed end of the strip folded in Step 16 and loop it back on itself, then thread it through the top left loop of the star, as shown.
Pull the strip all the way through the loop so it makes a 3D triangle on the top of the star. Trim off the excess, cutting it as close to the edge of the shape as possible.
Turn the piece 90° to the right and repeat Steps 16-18.
Push each mountain fold into a peak, using one hand to push from the back and the other to gently squeeze the sides. Push each valley fold into a trough, squeezing the two mountain folds on either side together, encouraging the scored line to fold down. Repeat with the blush pink and black papers to make seven stars in total.
Using the main image as a guide to colours and order, continue threading on paper shapes followed by crimp beads, and wooden beads followed by sequins, then crimp beads.
Once the first thread is filled, space out the shapes and beads along the length. Starting at the bottom, use the pliers to squeeze the crimp beads closed. Repeat to decorate the other four threads.