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Iris Folding: Supplies and Directions for a Popular Scrapbooking Technique

© Merrideth Chenoweth

The effort to learn and create Iris Folding is minimal and the results are beautiful.

Tools and Supplies for Iris Folding

• cardstock (to use for the card base)
• clear Tape
• exacto Knife
• lightbox
• metal-Edged Ruler
• pattern
• pencil
• scrap paper - 4 different colors/patterns
• straight edge paper trimmer

Try to avoid cardstock or embossed papers because they can be difficult to fold and will add extra bulk to your project.

How to Make An Iris Folding Pattern

Cut basic shape from cardstock. Place pattern on your lightbox and place the cardstock face down over the pattern. Using your pencil, trace the pattern onto the back of the cardstock. Remove from lightbox and cut it out.

Tape a copy of the folding pattern (the one with all the lines, numbers and letters on it) to your work surface; then tape the cardstock, face down, on the pattern. It would be helpful to tape only one side of the cardstock down so you can lift it to check your work along the way.

Choose your scrap papers and cut to ¾ inch width (suggested length of 6 inches). Fold the edge of each strip over by a third. Take a folded strip of your 1st paper and place the edge directly on the pattern line (face down). Follow the pattern around clockwise, alternating colors as you go (paper 1, paper 2, paper 3, paper 4, then back to paper 1 again, overlapping).

Remember to trim your edges and tape both ends as you go. Fill the middle (or the iris) with a piece of shiny or holographic paper, or light-weight tin. Once you have completed the pattern, remove the cardstock from your work surfaces and cut the cardstock to center your Iris Folding or to fit the front of your card.

Tips and Tricks for Iris Folding

• Using painter’s tape can help reduce the problem of tearing paper when removing the tape; also try sticking and un-sticking regular tape to your hand or jeans to remove some of the tackiness.
• Don’t limit yourself to your scrap bin! Think about using other paper sources such as party bags, gift wrap, decorative envelopes, or origami paper. Also, most craft stores carry packages of collage papers.
• Colorful Iris Folding by Maruscha Gaasennbeek and Tine Beauveser and Fun with Paper Crafts by Marilynne Oskamp are great resources.

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