How to Make an Accordion Paper Chain
The craft of cutting a single shape from folded paper and opening the paper to reveal a seemingly endless repeat of the pattern has been enjoyed by children for generations. Create an accordion paper chain of people, hearts, diamonds or other shapes with your child. Young children can help fold the paper with adult assistance for cutting, while older children will be able to both fold and cut the designs. Make accordion paper chains to decorate for a party, a child’s room or for seasonal and holiday displays.
Instructions
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Decide on the design for your paper chain cutout and locate paper that suits the style and color. Use construction paper, or alternatively use printed or solid scrapbooking paper to create your chain.
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Determine the height and width for the design to find the size of the fold you will make. For a heart, for example, you need each fold to be the width of half of a heart shape. For people, the width should be as wide as the full drawn shape of a person with the arms outstretched.
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Draw the shape on a piece of paper and use as a guide for making the first fold.
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Fold the paper to fit the first shape, making a sharp crease that is even at both ends of the paper. Use a ruler, if needed, to check the measurement.
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Make the next fold in the opposite direction. When starting off, making the mark helps to line up edges. As the stack gets larger, it gets easier to match the edges. Line the end of the paper up with the fold to one side and make a mark with a pencil on the paper at the top and bottom. Fold the paper back, away from the edge of the paper. This forms the first accordion fold.
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Continue folding the paper, accordion style, until you reach the opposite end. Cut off any excess paper that is wider than the fold.
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Draw the design onto the first fold. For a heart shape, place the fold to your left and the edge of the paper to your right and draw the right half of a heart on the fold. Be sure the upper right portion of the heart extends to the edge of the paper. For a person, draw the entire body, with arms ending on the fold. For other designs, experiment with scrap paper to determine the position of the shape on the fold for best results.
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Cut around the shape except for the folded areas. Be sure to cut through only the top and bottom portions of the design, letting the areas that connect at the folds on both sides remain uncut.
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Open the paper to reveal your accordion paper chain.
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Tips & Warnings
You can attach additional papers to create a longer chain, if desired. Cut several sheets of paper and attach the end of one to the beginning of another. Be sure designs line up and the accordion folds continue in the same way. You may need to cut off one of the ends to match up the designs. Connect the chains with double-faced tape or white glue.
Let kids add stickers, draw faces, or stamp designs onto the paper chain for additional creativity.
Supervise young children when working with scissors and use child-safety scissors for small children.
References
Resources
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