How to Make Accordion Hearts by Cutting Paper

Much like paper dolls, hearts can be cut in a string.

Decorating your home or classroom is part of the fun of celebrating Valentine's Day. One of the most popular decorations for this day is a bright red string of hearts you can string across a doorway or along a wall. The secret to creating a heart strand is the special accordion fold you make in the paper before you do any cutting. Make a string of paper hearts in just moments with some very simple supplies.

Things You'll Need

• Wrapping paper or craft paper
• Measuring tape or ruler
• Scissors
• Heart-shaped object
• Pencil

Instructions

1. Measure the height of a heart-shaped object such as a cookie cutter or wooden craft shape. Add 1/2 inch to this height. Cut out a strip of wrapping paper or craft paper the same height as the object plus the half inch.

2. Measure the heart-shaped object from its widest point to the exact center. If you have a hard time determining this, measure the heart from side to side at the widest point and divide the distance by 2. This number is the width of your paper fold.

3. Lay the paper strip on the work surface in front of you with the longer sides at the right and left. Fold the bottom edge up exactly the distance you figured by measuring half the heart. Fold the two layers of paper down the same exact distance. Continue making an accordion fold until the entire strip has been folded.

4. Lay the folded paper strip on the work surface. Place the heart-shaped object on top with the center line of the heart along one folded edge and the outer edge of the heart along the other folded edge. Trace the outline of the heart with a pencil.

5. Hold the folded paper layers together. Cut along the pencil line, cutting through all the layers at once. Unfold the strip to reveal the string of connected hearts.

Tips & Warnings

• This same method works with different shapes for different holidays. Make sure one edge of the shape touches each folded edge of the paper.