How to Make Paper Fan Decorations

Choose Your Paper

Select a few sheets of equal-sized, good-quality decorative paper in pretty colors and designs. You can find great selections at crafts stores or through retailers like Paper Source. Good quality wrapping paper also works well for extra large-sized paper fan rosettes.

Cut Two Squares of Paper

You can make your decorative paper fans as big or as little as you want. Just remember to cut two to three equal length squares of paper for each decorative fan. The smaller the squares, the smaller the rosette. So if you want to have a paper fan that is 16 inches wide, for example, you should use paper squares that are 16 by 16 inches wide. Make sure to use properly sized paper squares to get the correct size paper decoration you desire.

Flip the Sheet Over and Make Another Fold

Make the first fold on a sheet by folding over one inch of paper and creasing. Turn the sheet of paper over and make another one-inch fold. Keep flipping over and folding, stopping when you get to the end and run out of paper. You are creating accordion-style pleats, which will then be opened into a fan once you are finished. Trim off any excess paper with scissors when you are done folding.

Fold the Second Piece of Paper

Take another sheet of paper of the same pattern and fold it the same way as the first sheet.

Fold both of the folded strips of paper in half. Tie your twine or sewing thread firmly around the center of the folded paper square.

If you like fuller paper fans, you can fold the third sheet to add to the paper fan, but this step is strictly optional. The fans look quite pretty using only two sheets of paper.

Tape and Glue

Put double-sided tape on each side of the paper strips. Take one strip and fold it in half to join together. You will now have a half-circle paper fan.

Join the other paper strips together and form another paper half circle.

Join the two half circles together with double-sided tape at the edges. You should now have a full circle.

Make sure to keep your twine, string, or thread away from the tape. You don't want to get your string glued to the tape. The string should also be on the backside of your paper rosette.

Stop and Review Your Progress

When you are done joining the two half circles together, your hanging paper fan decorations will look something like this.

Tape the Twine to the Back of the Fan

Tie a knot at the top of the twine at the desired length (depending on how much you want the fan to hang down).

Tape the string to the back of the paper fan decoration to secure it to the fan.

Hang the Finished Product

These paper beauties are so quick and easy to make that you'll no doubt want to make several and hang them around the house to add beautiful pops of color to any room. 

Paper rosettes make lovely photo backdrops at weddings. They're a beautiful addition to any party, adding sparkle and sizzle for little money.