Iris folding is a craft that originated in Holland and consists of layering coordinating strips of paper to create a pattern. The name “Iris” is due to the way the pattern of the paper resembles the iris, or “eye”, of a camera. It was started using the patterned insides of envelopes and has come into it’s own now due to the wide variety of papers available these days. This is an extremely easy paper craft to get started with, and there are some truly amazing designs you can make with this form of crafting. You can make almost any design you can imagine.

Getting started is simple, and there are very few supplies needed. The basic supplies are paper in a few different patterns, painter’s tape, cellophane tape, scissors, pencil, craft knife, note card, an iris folding pattern, and a template. Templates can be as simple or complex as you choose, although you can make some stunning designs even with a simple template. You can find templates easily on the internet, find wonderful books on iris folding, or even make your own templates.

The first thing you need to do is to cut your patterned paper into strips. Then cut the template out of your note card. Using your painter’s tape, secure your iris folding pattern face down onto the front of your card. Make sure you can cover the cut opening. Turn over the card so you can, making sure you can see the pattern through the opening. Next, fold your paper strips in half lengthwise, burnishing the creases. Next, start taping your pieces to the back of your card, over the opening, using your iris pattern to gauge how to lay out your pieces. Continue laying out your pieces, taping them down as you go, until you have completed your pattern. When you have completed the pattern, turn the card over, carefully remove your template and, and make sure you like the final result. Using a double sided adhesive, such as a permanent tape runner, tape a piece of paper the size to cover the back side of the pattern in order to give the inside of your card a finished look. You will find as you experiment a bit with the various templates and papers available that you will be able to make many different looks. Try muted colors for a subtle, simple look, or try metallic papers for a real punch.