Interiors,Makes

A paper snowflake tutorial

Snowflake styling

Snowflake styling

I know it’s still only November, and I imagine it will be a couple of weeks at least until I put up our tree, but I thought I’d have a go at making some of these lovely paper snowflakes for a simple, minimalist festive look. Yes I did just say that – I mean the tinsel and baubles will come out, I’m sure, but for now this is a great craft activity which looks really impressive but is so easy to do.

I made my first one in less than an hour, and the second was a joint effort between myself and the kids. Sam took one look at my snowflake and asked me to show him what to do, and before you know it we were all busy cutting and folding way past bedtime (theirs, not mine). So if you’re looking at this and thinking, ‘I can’t make that!’ then you’re wrong, as if a six-year-old can master it, then so can you.

Paper snowflakes

I used simple white printer paper, and also tried with a bit of wrapping paper. All you need to start with is a square of paper, a pair of scissors, some sellotape, a stapler and some string if you’d like to hang it up.

1. Once you have your square (as you can see in the first photo, I used A4 so folded over one corner and cut off the surplus to make a square), fold it over into a triangle, and then fold again to make a triangle half the size.

2. Now take the folded edge of your triangle and make three cuts in the paper, from the fold towards the opposite side, so each cut ends about the same distance away from the edge.

Snowflake collage

3. Now open it out so it’s a square again, only one with lots of cuts in it. The cuts kind of look like little squares, one inside the other. Take the corners of the innermost, smallest square and roll them inwards, fixing with a little bit of tape.

4. Turn the whole thing over and repeat, pulling the next biggest square up and fixing with tape to form a slightly larger tube. Turn over and do the same again, and again, until you are left with something that looks a bit like the photo below. This is one ‘arm’ of your snowflake.

Paper snowflake making

I think it’s a bit of trial and error as to how many you will need to make. I aimed to make six but found I needed to to make either seven or nine depending on how full I wanted it to look. You can always add more if you need to, so I would say start with six and see how it goes.

5. Now you need to join them all up to make the snowflake. Divide your ‘arms’ into two groups and staple them together at the base. Now join both pieces and staple both bases together, as shown in the bottom two photos of the collage below.

6. Finally, join the ‘arms’ together. Staple each one to its neighbour at the point where they meet, to ensure the snowflake fans out all the way round. This part gets more fiddly the smaller your snowflakes are!

Snowflake tutorial collage

Looks good doesn’t it?

Now you can hang it up, decorate it or just prop it up around your home, to bring a bit of simple chic to your Christmas decor. Be warned though – once you start you will want to make more!

Why not try different colours and textures of paper, or you could even try spray painting them with some metallic paint or glitter to make them extra special.

If you do make one, I’d love to know how it goes.

x Julia

paper snowflakes

Green snowflake

Mami 2 Five
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20 Comments

  • Reply
    Mrs H
    November 25, 2015 at 4:21 pm

    These look awesome. So clever and simple to make. I love them. I might have to pin this and make these myself over Christmas. Hugs Mrs H xxxx
    Mrs H recently posted…Getting through NovemberMy Profile

  • Reply
    mummyofboygirltwins
    November 25, 2015 at 9:21 pm

    They look beautiful and so Christmassy! I wish I enjoyed making crafts but it just doesn’t come all that naturally to me. But I might try this!!! Just for you πŸ™‚ Great photo’s xx
    mummyofboygirltwins recently posted…12 Christmas gifts ideas for menMy Profile

  • Reply
    Californian Mum in London
    November 25, 2015 at 9:26 pm

    Wow, love these! But even though a six-year can do it, I am still not sure I can. But I may just have to try as they are so pretty.
    Californian Mum in London recently posted…Turning 40 Isn’t That Big Of A DealMy Profile

  • Reply
    Sunita Of Lucky Things blog
    November 25, 2015 at 9:37 pm

    How cute are these? Nice twist on the old school paper snowflakes. I’m hoping to impress my two year old toddler making these. Wish me luck! X
    Sunita Of Lucky Things blog recently posted…I heart Shoreditch street art – buggy walk (part 1)My Profile

  • Reply
    Katie LifeonVistaStreet Haydock
    November 25, 2015 at 9:39 pm

    These are beautiful! I might give them a go and see how they look in my front bay window with some LED fairy light… craftily inspiring xxx
    Katie LifeonVistaStreet Haydock recently posted…Turning TwoMy Profile

  • Reply
    Kat | Beau Twins
    November 25, 2015 at 9:54 pm

    You have made this look easy! If I was to do this, it would be an epic fail. I may attempt to do this one Friday night over a glass of rouge. Could be hilarious!? These are stunning, you could always make them for me and I will pay you in gin? Xxxx
    Kat | Beau Twins recently posted…5 Ways To Encourage Positive Mental WellbeingMy Profile

  • Reply
    sarah christie
    November 25, 2015 at 9:55 pm

    Wow this is just amazing Julia, it looks tricky but I think if I messed a bit I could master it and it looks so pretty xx
    sarah christie recently posted…Christmas Traditions In The Christie FamilyMy Profile

  • Reply
    Rachel @ The Ordinary Lovely
    November 26, 2015 at 12:07 am

    Looks gorgeous, Julia, you clever thing xx
    Rachel @ The Ordinary Lovely recently posted…Melt in your mouth chocolate orange mini potsMy Profile

  • Reply
    Hayley (@hayleyfromhome)
    November 26, 2015 at 3:10 pm

    I am definitely going to give this a go…I was going to say over the weekend one evening but chances are I’ll have a glass on wine in hand and it may not go as well! They look fantastic, so pretty and perfect for Christmas xx
    Hayley (@hayleyfromhome) recently posted…Brush Up On BrushingMy Profile

  • Reply
    HelpfulMum
    November 27, 2015 at 2:21 pm

    These look incredible! I will definitely try these out in the B&B this Christmas.
    HelpfulMum recently posted…Your YouTube #49My Profile

  • Reply
    Mini Travellers
    November 27, 2015 at 2:28 pm

    I know I know you said even a 6 year old could do it, but I just can’t see me being able to. Maybe I can come round and you can show me!! #sharefriday
    Mini Travellers recently posted…Rainy Sunday in New BrightonMy Profile

  • Reply
    Notmyyearoff
    November 27, 2015 at 10:45 pm

    That looks beautiful! I think I might make this with Z one of these weekends.

  • Reply
    Chloe
    November 29, 2015 at 10:08 am

    These are so beautiful and if a 6 year old can do it, I have no excuse but to give it ago. These would look so lovely hanging in our window. I absolutely adore the star cushion too!! xx #sundaystars
    Chloe recently posted…#MYSUNDAYPHOTOMy Profile

    • Reply
      Rainbeaubelle
      December 1, 2015 at 7:29 pm

      Thank you! The Star cushion is from the Tigerlilly Quinn shop, which is closed now till January but keep your eyes peeled when it opens! xx

  • Reply
    Karen Hannah
    November 29, 2015 at 9:22 pm

    These look really pretty and I bet making them is quite therapeutic once you’ve grasped the basics? I’m going to try these and I will let you know how they go!
    Karen Hannah recently posted…Tuesday TreatsMy Profile

    • Reply
      Rainbeaubelle
      December 1, 2015 at 7:28 pm

      Yes do let me know how you get on! It is kind of addictive! x

  • Reply
    Our Seaside Baby
    December 1, 2015 at 3:29 pm

    Wow, this looks amazing! Will give it a go πŸ™‚
    Our Seaside Baby recently posted…Celebrating Extended BreastfeedingMy Profile

    • Reply
      Rainbeaubelle
      December 1, 2015 at 6:09 pm

      Yes you should, it really is quite easy to do! x

  • Reply
    Katie / Pouting In Heels
    December 1, 2015 at 7:20 pm

    These look amazing! I’m not at all sure how I’ll get on but I’ll definitely give it a bash πŸ˜‰ Currently got some John Lewis snowflakes hanging above my head as I type, but what the ‘eck, you can never have too many right?! x #SundayStars
    Katie / Pouting In Heels recently posted…CAN WE JUST QUIT WITH THE BULLS**T? (AKA FAKERY)My Profile

  • Reply
    Katie
    December 5, 2015 at 12:34 am

    These look absolutely fantastic, I really need to have a bash at making some! Thanks for linking up to #Sundaystars xxx
    Katie recently posted…Christmas Gifts for Older ChildrenMy Profile

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