How to Use Iris Paper Folding on Cards

Iris paper folding can keep you entertained for hours. The term iris is used because the paper resembles the iris of the eye when you're done. You can play around with the process to make different patterns or shapes.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Blank card
• 4 corresponding printed paper colors
• Tape
• 3-inch square piece of white paper
• 3-inch circle template or cutting system
• Ruler
• Pen
• Paper trimmer

1. Cut the circle out of the center of the card front using the circle template or cutting system. Save the piece you cut out for later. Set both pieces aside.
2. Create a template. Start by marking the middle of all four sides on the 3-inch square piece of paper. Draw four lines from one side to the next. Continue till you have four squares inside the 3-inch paper square. Number each triangle of the template from 1 to 16 and A to D as in the picture. Set the template aside.
3. Take the four colored sheets of paper and paper trimmer. cut 2 pieces of each color that measure 1 1/2 by 4 1/2 inches. Once done you will have 8 strips of paper. Fold the strips in half with the printed sides out. Each color will go to one letter, for example pink is A, orange is B, green is C and purple is D.
4. Place the template under the card with the inside of the card facing up. Center the template in the middle of the circle. It’s fine if the temple is a bit smaller or larger as long as it’s centered and all the sides of the square are the same.
5. With the first color, line up over triangle 1. Trim the strip to fit, cut it so that it just goes beyond the outside of the circle. Apply a piece of tape to both ends of the first strip to secure it in place. Save the piece that you cut off, it will be used for the last round.
6. Repeat Step 5 with color B on triangle 2, amd then color C on triangle 3, followed by color D on triangle 4. Continue until you have placed the last piece of paper on the card. For the second round, use the other 4 1/2-inch strip, rounds 3 and 4 will use the other two pieces that were not used.
7. Now take the circle that was cut out in Step 1. Tape it over the center of the iris. It doesn’t have to be centered as long as the center open square is covered completely by the circle.
8. Now to finish the iris paper with one of the colored papers, cut a piece of paper that will cover the taped ends of the paper. Cut the paper 1/8 of an inch smaller then the card front. Tape the paper over the inside cover of the card. This will give your card a finished look and cover all the ends of the folded paper strips.