How to Make a Paper Moravian Star
The Moravian star has its origins in Germany in the early 19th century. It is thought that the star first began as a simple geometry lesson to an all-boys Moravian school. The Moravian Church adopted the star, which now symbolizes Christmas. The stars quickly caught on and are sold in many variations and colors in Germany, the United States and other countries.
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Instructions
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1
Cut the paper into four 1/4-inch strips. Cut both ends of the strips as shown.
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2
Lay out the strips as shown, then weave together and tighten.
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3
Fold down the top left strip.
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4
Fold the left strip over.
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5
Fold the bottom strip up.
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6
Fold the right strip over, and insert through the pocket as shown. Pull tight.
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7
Flip the project over, and repeat Steps 3 through 6.
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8
Start with the top right strip. Fold under 90 degrees.
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9
Fold the strip to the front to form a triangle.
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10
Fold the triangle to the left and insert the tail into the pocket where the triangle starts.
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11
Pull tight.
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12
Turn project 90 degrees counterclockwise, and repeat Steps 8 through 11 for the three remaining tails. Pull tight. You now have four points.
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13
Flip project over. Repeat Steps 8 through 12. You now have eight points.
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14
Starting with the upper right strip, turn it on itself and feed it under the lower left strip. You will have to lift up the left strip.
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15
The tail should be coming through the bottom point. When you pull the strip tight, it should form a cone.
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16
Rotate the project 90 degrees counterclockwise. Repeat Steps 14 and 15 on the three remaining tails, working in a counterclockwise direction. You should have four points (cones).
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17
Turn the project over and repeat Steps 14 through 16. You again have four pointed cones.
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18
To finish, cut off the excess tails of the star.
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Tips & Warnings
Use different colored/patterned paper for different results.
The stars can be made larger by using a wider strip of paper. If you make the paper wider, don't forget to make the length longer as well.
The first star may not be perfect. Keep practicing.
Resources
- Photo Credit the image is my own
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Comments
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I say this on a friends tree. they are very beautful.
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Elizabeth Newman
Dec 02, 2010
Also, it would be very helpful to know how long the paper needs to be... should I be cutting a regular sheet of 8.5x11" paper lengthwise or otherwise?
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Elizabeth Newman
Dec 02, 2010
These steps aren't very clear... in the first step, how are you supposed to cut both ends? It can go two different ways... and in the 7th step, which direction do you flip, and then when you repeat the other steps do you fold over the entire strip or just one of them since at this point you have two strips everywhere from the first folds... I am so lost and wasting a lot of paper but having fun trying :) Please clarify, thank you!!
