Snowflake Tutorial

 

Well, despite the best of intentions, I haven't had a chance to get this tut done any sooner than now...sorry for the delay!  I'll save the litany of reasons for another time, but suffice it to say that it has been a CRAZY week and a very, um, memorable Christmas, to put it mildly!  If I have time later on I'll fill you in on some of the particulars, but while I have internet connectivity I'm going to finally post this tutorial!

 

Starting with a regular sheet of white computer paper, fold down one corner to the other edge, creating this triangular shape.

 

 

Cut the bottom piece of the paper off, creating a square shape that is folded in half on the diagonal.

 

 

Keeping track of where the middle of the piece of paper is, fold triangle in half for the second time.  I left the cut off rectangle in the photo to give you a sense of scale.

 

 

Now, with the middle of the piece of paper as the point, fold the triangle into thirds.  This is most easily accomplished by putting your fingernail right at the very tip of the middle point, and folding over one side and then the other without actually making the "official" creases until all three sections are completely equal.  Once you have come up with the equal sections (basically by trial and error) you can make the official creases with your fingernails, the handle of scissors, a bone folder (used in bookmaking), etc.  Just make sure all the creases are crisp and the edges are as evenly lined up as possible.

 

Trim the loose tail ends off so that all the layers of paper are equal.

 

 

Starting from the short side of the triangle, on the edge opposite the center point, cut your basic design that will establish the outer "arms" of your snowflake.  It usually looks best to have one "arm" longer than the other.  If you're unsure of yourself, feel free to pencil in a design before cutting. 

 

Finish cutting the design, taking care to hold all layers together as closely as possible so that they are cut accurately.  When cutting the design toward the center, I like to alternate cutting in shapes from opposing sides so they fit together in a logical fashion.  If you want the middle of the snowflake cut out, cut the tip of the center point off.  You can create a huge variety of shapes by cutting off the center point in different angles.

 

Begin carefully unfolding your snowflake, moving slowly so as not to rip any ends that are stuck together.  Press the folds open with your fingertips as you go along.

And there you have it!  A unique, one-of-a-kind bit of winter wonder. 

I like to carefully press the creases out with an iron.  They can be taped to a window with little bits of clear tape placed here and there around the edges, or the designs could be used as a stencil with spraypaint to create wrapping paper and/or cards, powdered sugar over a round cake, etc. 

I store my snowflakes from year to year between sheets of paper so they don't get tangled with one another, and they easily slip into a file folder to be filed away until next year.

To see a flurry of other snowflakes I have made, please click HERE.

Happy cutting!

Comments

[Jane]

Wow. I don't know how you found the time to do this tutorial! Have been cutting snowflakes since I was a little girl, but yours are works of art - thanks for the reminder of how to do such a simple, inexpensive, elegant Christmas pretty. And best of luck with your move!!

[Alice C.]

Hey Shelley! You said that you store your snowflakes.. how do you put them up each year without tearing them when you take them down? I made some snowflakes I like so much I don't want to put them up for fear of tearing them! Haha

[shelley]

Hi Alice,
I just work very slowly and peel them off the window...I have torn some from time to time but I just tape over the torn area. I trim the tape off wherever it extends beyond the paper before storing - or I fold the tape over to the other side if it's a straight edge. It's kind of a pain to do all that, but there are some I love so much I can't bear the thought of throwing them away!