How to Paper Fold Greeting Card Wreaths

Author:
Sherry Venegas
Updated date:
Sep 27, 2019

Ms. Venegas has been using origami to make rosettes and medallions since 2003. She shares art/craft techniques and ideas online.

Paper Folding

Paper folding is a popular pastime. This how-to is about tea bag folding and an easy paper folding wreath for Christmas cards or all occasion cards, as well.

Paper folding using tea bag folding techniques is easy and a bit addicting. It has an element of surprise because the finished project pops color in ways that can not be predicted.

If you add a little psychology, it is "variety is the spice of life" approach. Creating something that is different almost every time. You get a little of something new with each folding project.

We are talking subtlety here. So get some paper to fold and start your card embellishments or scrapbook wreaths now.

Paper Fold Christmas Wreaths

First, you need to find paper.
Make copies or use old sheets of music to cut squares. Any pretty paper will do.
Try a few and see if you like the process and then we will go into assembling the card. I have many ideas for that, even reusing old cards.
The yellowed sheet above is used to cut eight 2-inch squares, or tiles, keeping in mind to have the motif at three of the corners of the tile. (Or else the tile will pop plain paper or no motif.)

Click each photo below for the step by step task.

Cut eight 2 inch squares or tiles from old music paper.

Fold each lower side point up to top point. Like the tile to the left.

Cut eight 2 inch squares or tiles from old music paper.

Paper Wreath Instructions

Use a tool to squish the top fold on the right side down to center, as shown. Your tile will look like the one on the left.

Unfold left side and fold down to the center fold line as shown.

Use a pointed tool to squish down half as much as the right side.

Fold all eight squares in the same manner.

Fold the points down to lower point.

Instructions for Assembling

Put a dab of glue as in the picture. To assemble the wreath match up the two edges indicated by the arrows. Put the left unit on top of the tile on the right matching the light green dots.

This shows the first tile glued in place. Add the remaining tiles in the same manner, working around to form a circle. Dabbing with glue and putting the tile on the left side on top of the one on the right.

Here the eighth is glued and is on top of the very first tile.

Slip the eighth tile under the very first one. Use a dab of glue. The wreath is complete.

Put a dab of glue as in the picture. To assemble the wreath match up the two edges indicated by the arrows. Put the left unit on top of the tile on the right matching the light green dots.

Ready to Make Holiday Cards?

Now that you have practiced the Christmas wreaths and decided to make your own Christmas cards I will outline what you will need and the best places to get it.

At right are a few examples of what you can do. The two wreaths at the top are made from tiles that are identical. Eight tiles can be cut from a notepad like the one shown or other paper that has repeat printing.

A page of old music can be copied on your printer eight times to make several wreaths without even leaving home. My preference.

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What You Will Need

Craft Card Blanks: The big craft stores have these in boxes of fifty or smaller packages. The wreaths I show here will fit nicely on A2 size cards or 4.25 X 5.5 inches. The white or cream cards could be used with coordinating background papers to put the wreath on.
Ribbon: In various colors for tying bows on the wreaths.
Glue and scissors: Or a paper cutter.
Coordinating background papers or old Christmas cards: Do not forget to look at Tuesday Morning, Big Lots, and the Dollar Store for holiday-themed papers for backgrounds. You can go through your cards sent to you in years past and find motifs that will match your wreaths.

Assembly of Your Holiday Greeting

I like to get all my color components in one place. This way, I can take one wreath and glance through all the colors and mix and match up the best eye-pleasing combination. Round up the blank cards your finished wreaths, background papers, and glue.

Find the matches you like the best, glue the wreath to the background paper or directly on the card.

Craft card blanks in various Christmas colors.

This shows the sticky notes and list pad I used for many of the wreaths on this page. Notice how the finished patterns are all different.

These are card samples from the mail. I will trim and use the one on the left.

Papers I thought I will use.

Background papers from recycled packaging
Flickr

Do you have new ideas for the paper wreaths?

Sherry Venegas (author) from La Verne, CA on December 07, 2018:

I have used 12 x12 inch paper for door sized wreaths with the same pattern.

RTalloni on December 07, 2018:

It would be such fun to work on designs using this method for wreaths. Thanks for putting this tutorial together and sharing your ideas and projects.

Dianna Mendez on December 19, 2017:

You've given me a great idea for those cards received. Your last green wreath is lovely.

Sherry Venegas (author) from La Verne, CA on November 20, 2014:

Asha, thank you for writing about this craft on your blog.

Jogalog on November 01, 2013:

This method makes beautiful cards - I'll have a go for some of my Christmas ones.

burntchestnut on August 09, 2013:

This would be a great craft idea for schools, summer camps, etc.

SheSue LM on December 05, 2012:

These are awesome. Reminds me of fabric folding craft my sister does.

anonymous on November 29, 2012:

I can see why tea bag folding can be addictive with the wonders that can be created using that technique and your introduction to making paper wreathes is very inviting as you take us from Christmas to Valentines and then there's the possibilities for so many other occasions...weddings, baby showers, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Easter....and so much more! You do beautiful work and your excellent DIY makes it possible to have success with a little practice!

CruiseReady from East Central Florida on December 01, 2011:

These paper wreaths really are just lovely! You could use one as a surround for the base of a pillar candle .... one in glass already!

Sherry Venegas (author) from La Verne, CA on November 21, 2011:

@anonymous: A bigger door wreath out of card stock may be a good option. You would have color on both sides and it may show lots of depth. Add embellishments and a big bow. Have some creative fun and experiment. Thanks for stopping by. Sherry

anonymous on November 21, 2011:

I just made one with cardstock, and I think the paper was too thick. It REALLY pops out, and I can't get it to lay down! Oh, well, it's not bad for a first attempt!

Lee Hansen from Vermont on November 17, 2011:

My you are patient with those tiny folds! These folded paper wreaths are just exquisite. I'm adding this to my Christmas paper crafts lens ... nice project to use all the folding papers on my web site.

sousababy on November 02, 2011:

These are incredible! What a great use for paper or gift wrap that might otherwise have gone to waste. Thanks for the inspiration!

Mickie Gee on October 28, 2011:

I think using old books that are beyond repair would be a good source for the paper.

As usual, you have given me some inspiration. You have also crafted a perfect crafting page here on Squidoo. Blessed.

(Should I have really started making the wreaths in August? Is it too late now? I don't send out too many cards.)

miaponzo on February 06, 2011:

I have never even heard of this craft before! Thanks for introducing it!

Virginia Allain from Central Florida on January 13, 2011:

These are just gorgeous. I have to go post it to my friend's facebook (she does the iris folding). I bet she will like this. Excellent visuals with this.

Indigo Janson from UK on December 22, 2010:

These paper wreath greetings cards look classy and professional. I'm going to have to try this next year!

JJNW from USA on December 12, 2010:

What a great page! I was lucky enough to hit a yard sale and get a LOT of scrapbook paper; now I know what to do with some of it! Yay - I needed Christmas ideas!

Mickie Gee on December 07, 2010:

What a great way to re-purpose pages from a torn-up book that cannot be fixed! Love it.

Sherry Venegas (author) from La Verne, CA on November 14, 2010:

@junecampbell: That would look lovely!

June Campbell from North Vancouver, BC, Canada on November 14, 2010:

I love the concept of using music sheets for these wreaths. I'm envisioning a larger wreath, containing many of these small folded wreaths and some type of green material for filler. Thanks for the inspiration.

clouda9 lm on November 03, 2010:

The ideas and photos on this paper folding how to are spectacular! Visuals help me learn new concepts...yours were wonderful!