An origami star garland is a whimsical and inexpensive craft nearly anyone can do. Using scrap paper and a few other supplies you can make these origami stars right in the comfort of your own home. Since this craft uses supplies we likely already have around the house we can make this craft for cheap or even free. Who doesn’t like free?
Why Use Scrap Paper?
When you use scrap paper for this craft, you are using a material that would have otherwise been tossed or recycled. You are also saving money by using scrap paper rather than buying specialized paper or new computer paper. Remember the 3 R’s of the waste stream, reduce, reuse, and recycle. (Now there are various numbers of R’s of the waste stream.) You are reusing scrap paper when you upcycle it into this origami star garland, giving the paper a second life. Because this craft doesn’t use glue, glitter, or stickers, the scrap paper origami stars can still be recycled later on, just remember to remove the thread. Also do not use crayons or paint to color the stars, to keep your origami star garland recyclable.
Also upcycling scrap paper makes this a sustainable craft. Sustainable is a key step in our progress towards a regenerative lifestyle.
Origami and I
Origami and I go way back. I first learned how to fold a paper cup in elementary school and have been making origami ever since. In high school, I learned how to fold these origami stars. I was amazed when the flat pentagon puffed up into a star. What I love most about origami is the use of a paper. Paper, especially scrap paper, is usually easy to obtain because of this origami is a more accessible art form. Additionally with origami, the possibilities for a flat piece of paper are nearly endless.
Important Notes for Origami Star Garland
Appropriate Age for Craft
This craft is appropriate for several age groups. Younger kids can help with coloring the paper and some of the folding. They will need supervision and assistance from adults for cutting the paper and threading the stars.
Skill Level
I think nearly anyone could do this origami fold. However, the beginning and last steps are not as cut and dry as some origami folds. This is why I’ve included several images and a video to support the written instructions. The last step of making the origami star is the trickiest. This is another reason why using scrap paper is nice for this craft because you could use scrap paper initially for practice. If your star does not puff up as you’d like, keep trying. Not all of the stars will puff up, mine didn’t for the video.
Paper
You may use computer paper, notebook paper, or magazine paper. I would not recommend using cardstock paper for this craft. Cardstock is thick and would be difficult to fold. If you use magazine paper, cut the paper into narrower strips. Magazine paper is glossy and not as thick as computer paper. Narrower strips of magazine paper makes it easier to work with.
Coloring Supplies
If you are using scrap paper that you’d like to add more color to, use markers or coloring pencils. Paper colored with markers or coloring pencil can be recycled. Paper colored with crayons, paint, glue, glitter, and stickers cannot be recycled.
Length of Thread for Garland
This is entirely up to you. I kept my threaded needle on the spool as I added stars so I could adjust the length as I went. Overall, the length of my garland was about 72 inches or 183 centimeters. This length includes about 6 inches or about 15 centimeters on both ends for hanging the garland. I also left about a couple of inches between each star and had 22 stars on this length of thread.
How to Make Your Origami Star Garland
Supplies
- Scrap paper*
- Ruler Pencil
- Scissors
- Markers or Coloring Pencils*
- Needle Thread*
*See Important Notes above for more information.
Instructions for Origami Star Garland
Preparing Scrap Paper
- With your paper situated sideways or landscape, using your pencil and ruler lightly draw lines down the paper about 1 centimeter apart. You don’t need to measure a centimeter, you can just estimate it.
- Then color the paper. You do not have to color the entire piece of paper, just one half either the top or bottom. You could also write little messages, draw little trees, snowmen, stars. Have fun GET CREATIVE! 😉
- Now along the lines you drew before, cut the paper into strips.
Origami Star Fold
- On one end of the paper strip tie a loose knot. Your paper strip should look like a pretzel with a short and a long tail. If you only colored one half of your paper, tie your knot on the end you did not color.
- When you tighten the paper knot try not to crumple the knot or tear the paper. (If this happens, it is ok. Take another strip of paper and try again. You got this!)
- As you are tightening the knot, notice how the knot is starting to look like a pentagon. The pentagon will be the base of your star.
- Keep tightening the knot until the edges of the paper touch.
- After all that tightening you are now going to flatten your knot into the pentagon.
- Fold the short tail behind the pentagon.
- Start to wrap the long tail around the pentagon. Making sure the side of the paper you colored is facing outward. The angles of the pentagon will guide the long tail to the edge of the pentagon two sides away.
- Continue to wrap the long tail around the pentagon until you reach the end of the long tail. Gently squeeze the pentagon as you wrap the long tail around to flatten your folds.
- Tuck the end of the long tail underneath the little triangle at the edge of the pentagon. If the end of the long tail is too short, cut or fold the long tail, to tuck it into the previous triangle.
- This step is tricky, turning your pentagon into a star. Take your thumb and index finger of each hand and push in on 4 sides of your pentagon. Then push in on the 5th side of your pentagon.
Threading Your Origami Stars
- Once you have folded all the origami stars you’d like, thread your needle on to your desired length of thread.
- Carefully, push your threaded needle through your star starting from the inside corner of one side through to the opposite point.
- Continue to thread the remaining stars.
- After you have threaded your origami stars you have finished your Origami Star Garland!
Feel free to leave any questions in the comments. Hope you enjoy your Origami Star Garland! Happy Holidays Y’all!
