pleated projects week: pleated medallions

This week should be fun … five different projects all using the same folding techniques to create pleats. Each one is inexpensive {yay!}, easy to achieve {double yay!} and can be altered to make tons of different projects. At the end of the week we’ll do a link party where you can show off your pleated projects.

Up first: how to make pleated medallions.

There are two ways to make these pretty medallions so I’ll show you both ways.

For the first way, here’s what you need:

:: 8.5 x 11 cardstock
:: scissors
:: hot glue gun {not shown}
:: coordinating paper {optional}

cut paper into three equal strips

Begin by folding one strip up about a half inch. Turn over and fold equally. Flip over again and continue folding. Don’t worry about being perfect, just try to keep the folds mostly even.

Once you’ve folded all three pieces, connect end to end using hot glue until you have one continuous accordion-folded strip. Then join the two ends to make a circle.

Now flatten the circle and squeeze in toward the center.

Secure with hot glue.

You can stop here, or embellish further with a coordinating circle in the center.

Freehand {or not} a circle and hot glue to the center.

Cute, right?

To make a medallion another way, here’s what you’ll need:

:: four equal pieces of paper {I used wrapping paper from paper source}
:: scissors
:: hot glue gun {not shown}
:: coordinating paper {optional}

Stack all four sheets {it helps if the paper is not as thick as card stock} and accordion fold. Separate the four pieces. flatten one piece at a time and fold in half.

Glue ends of folds together to create one continuous accordion fan.

Again, you can leave this as is, or embellish with a center circle.

By varying the size of paper as well as the size of folds, you can get large and small medallions.

We hung a cluster from twine over Audrey’s bed for a colorful, whimsical touch.

Come back tomorrow for another great pleated project!