Tutorial: A (Nearly) Perfect Accordion-Folded Disc

We've all made roughly folded paper fans as kids and as adults we now use the accordion fold for our craft projects.  If you're a perfectionist like me, then you've probably struggled with trying to get your folds even and straight.

This tutorial will show you a way to make an (almost) perfect accordion fold and how to turn it into a disc like the one below so you an use it for paper-crafting!!

During the 26-Day Christmas Craft Marathon, I will show you how to make ornaments that incorporate accordion folded paper discs into the designs, so I want to show you how to make them before the "marathon" starts.

Step 1: GATHER SUPPLIES

Necessary

- Book Page(s)

- Ruler/Straight-edge

- Pencil

- Cardstock

- Glue (I used Aleene's Fast Grab Tacky Glue)

Optional

- Decorative scissors

- Ink pad

Step 2: PREP PAPER

The line you add in this step is the key to getting your accordion folds straight.

Cut Paper

Remove the blank top, bottom, and side sections of the page(s).

Cut two 3" strips from your page(s).

Optional: Either tear or use decorative scissors to just barely trim one of the long edges of each strip. 

Mark Paper

Optional: Add ink to the torn or decorative edge of your strips.

Using your ruler or straight-edge draw a (very) straight line as shown in the photo above.

Flip the paper over and draw the same line in the same spot on the other side.

Note: The way I marked my paper was my folding my paper lengthwise and then tracing the fold on both sides with a pencil.

IMPORTANT: Make sure your line is either placed where it will be covered up or that it's drawn lightly enough with pencil that you can erase it.

Step 3: FOLD PAPER

Determine how thick you eventually want your disc.

Fold your paper that distance and make sure that the lines you drew match up.

Flip your strip over and fold in the opposite direction and once again match up your lines.

Note: By matching up the lines, your accordion fold will be just about perfect!

Step 4: GLUE ENDS

Glue the short ends of your strips together to form a circle like that shown above.

Gather the non-decorative side together and push out the other side to form a disc.

IMPORTANT:  If your strips were 6" or less, the decorative edge will probably be too tight to form a disc. If this is the case, simply trim about 1/4"-1/3" off the non-decorative edge until you're able to form the disc without the outside being too tight. 

Step 5: ATTACH DISC

Prep Back

Punch or cut a 1" - 1 1/2" circle of cardstock.

Add a generous amount of glue to the center of the circle.

Place a ring of glue similar to the one in the photo above.

Attach Back

With the paper shaped like a disc, press the cardstock circle in the center on the back of the disc.

Press together and quickly make sure your folds are evenly spaced and that the center of the disc is nice and tightly pushed together.

FINISHED!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Starts tomorrow at

4:00am (Eastern Time)!!

Be sure to link up your Christmas projects to the Christmas Craft Marathon Linky Party over the next 26 days!!

SNEAK PEEK!!

Here are just a few pictures from the tutorials that I'll be sharing with you during the "marathon".

Thanks for reading!!  Until till next time...