Tutorial - Pleated Paper Rosettes

The other day I got an email from Becky over at Heart in my Hand asking me how I make the Pleated Paper Rosettes that I used on my Bits & Pieces Collage. These are such popular embellishments lately that I thought I would put together a little tutorial on how to make them.

~ Pleated Paper Rosettes ~

Basic Supplies:

• One 12"x1" strip of heavy weight decorative paper
• Two 1-inch circles cut from heavy weight decorative paper
• One cardstock or chipboard star covered with glitter
• Glue gun
• White craft glue (not pictured)
  STEP #1 - Accordian-fold the 12" x 1" strip of decorative paper every 2/8" - 3/8" until the entire strip is pleated like pictured above. Yes, this is the same pleat folding that we used to make those paper fans when we were kids!

STEP #2: Apply some hot glue to one end of the pleated paper. (Hot glue works best for this because it is strong and dries fast.)

STEP #3 - Gently bring both ends together until they meet forming the rosette. This is the trickiest part of the whole process because the rosette will want to keep popping up until you complete the next step. (Through trial and error I have found it is best to keep your finger on the center while you form the rosette shape.)

STEP #4 - Apply a little hot glue to the center of the rosette while gently pressing the sides in so that the pleat folds meet in the center as pictured above. Hold this position for a few seconds until the glue has completely dried. STEP #5 - Next, add a little more hot glue and apply one of the 1-inch paper circles to the center of the rosette. (I used paper from an old book, but you can use a coordinating decorative paper for this as well.) STEP #6 - Now turn the rosette upside down and glue the second 1-inch paper circle to the middle of the rosette back, just like in Step #6. Doing this helps to stablize the rosette and keep it from popping up.

STEP #7 - Turn rosette back to the front side and apply a little white craft glue to the center of the 1-inch circle and . . .STEP #8 - Press the glittered star into the glue and voila - you have just completed your pleated paper rosette! Ta-da!!!

VARIATIONS - You can use other things to embellish the center of the rosette such as buttons, rhinestones, round epoxy stickers, paper flowers, etc. You can also skip the 1-inch circle and just hot glue a larger glittered chipboard star like I did on my Bits & Pieces Collage, shown below. Notice also that I cut one edge of the 12" x 1" decorative paper with picking shears to create a decorative outer edge on the rosette.

If you decide to make some of these rosettes, be sure to leave a link to your photo in the comments section of this post 'cause I'd love to see what you create. . .Have fun!