Winter Wonderland: How To Make A Paper Snowflake

Ready to up your paper snowflake game? We’re going to let you in on a little secret: it’s all in the fold. No more of that “fold any old piece of paper in half one time and cut” business. If you want a really intricate, graphic design just follow our easy step-by-step guide to get on the path to paper snowflake glory.

• Lightweight craft paper

• Sharp scissors
• Bone folder (optional)

1. To make your snowflake you’ll need to start with a perfectly square piece of paper. If using an 8.5 x 11 sheet, stretch the bottom corner of the paper up so it runs perfectly flush with the opposite side. Cut off the excess strip at the top.

2. Fold the triangle in half by bringing the two bottom halves of the triangle together. Press firmly with the bone folder along the folded edge.

3. With the tip of the triangle pointing down, bring the right side across at an approximate sixty degree angle and fold.

4. Repeat step three with the left side of the triangle so that it overlaps the previous fold. The new shape should resemble an arrow. Press as firmly as you can along the folds.

5. Trim the points off the arrow shape to make a clean, straight line.

6. Now the fun part: With your super sharp scissors, carefully snip bits of the paper away. I like to always keep the folded edge on the right side while working, that way I remember not to go crazy cutting it all away. That said, definitely play around with cutting on the fold, just don’t cut it all away.

This site has some fantastic templates for super detailed snowflakes. Play around with those, or create your own!

7. Carefully unfold your snowflake to reveal all the awesome:

8. Press the snowflakes between the pages of a big book overnight to get the paper nice and flat.

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