Introduction: DIY Paper Leaves (Pattern Trick!)

About: Hey, I'm Muhaimina! A Craftaholic person (or Witch if you may say!). Obsessed with swirls and polka dots... and Instructables is pretty much my second home! Follow my IG Blog https://www.instagram.com/the_craf…

There's nothing special about making paper leaves. Well, that's what I thought as well until I learned this new trick! All you need to do is- fold a paper, draw a pattern (this is the tricky and exciting part!) and see how the leaf turns out when you complete the rest of the steps.

Follow this ible and find out how to make these fun paper leaves with the help of the same technique!

Step 1: Materials Needed

To make these leaves you will need:

  1. Craft paper,
  2. Pencil,
  3. Scissors,
  4. Craft glue.

Step 2: Templates

I came up with these 7 templates for now. I'm sure you can come up with more. But I'm pretty sure that you can come up with more awesome patterns with the help of this technique. Simply fold a paper into half and draw a pattern and then complete the following steps to create the leaf!

Step 3: Leaf Pattern - 1

Take a square size paper and cut it diagonally to create 2 triangles.

Make small and even accordion folds on any one of the triangle papers.

Hold the center of the folded paper and squeeze it gently to bring the center folds together.

Apply glue along any one side of the inner fold and join the inner sides to form the leaf.

Allow the glue to dry.

Step 4: Leaf Pattern - 2

Take a paper strip of 1 X 6 inches and fold it into half lengthwise.

Cut the folded paper diagonally from one corner to the other.

Unfold the paper and you will get a flat triangle. Make small and even accordion folds on the triangle.

Hold and squeeze the center of the folded triangle to bring the center folds together.

Apply glue along any one side of the inner fold and join the inner sides to form the leaf.

Allow the glue to dry.

Step 5: Leaf Pattern - 3

Take a square size paper and fold it into half.

Draw a half arch shape on the paper, keeping the curve of the arch on the open side of the folded paper.

Cut out the arch shape from the paper and unfold it.

Make small and even accordion folds on the paper.

Hold the center of the folded paper and squeeze it gently to bring the center folds together.

Apply glue along any one side of the inner fold and join the inner sides to complete the leaf.

Step 6: Leaf Pattern - 4

Take a square size paper and neatly fold it into half.

First draw a half arch shape like the previous one and then draw a scallop pattern along the border of the arch.

Cut out the paper along the traced pattern.

Unfold the cutout paper. Make small and even accordion folds on the paper.

Hold and squeeze the center of the folded paper gently to bring the center folds together.

Apply glue along any one side of the inner fold and join the inner sides to create the leaf. Done!

Step 7: Leaf Pattern - 5

Take a rectangular shaped craft paper and fold it into half width-wise.

Draw a pattern on the folded paper as shown in the picture of this step.

Cut out the paper along the traced pattern.

Open the fold. Make small and even accordion folds on the paper.

Hold and squeeze the center of the folded paper gently to bring the center folds together.

Apply glue along any one side of the inner fold and join the inner sides to create the maple leaf.

Step 8: Leaf Pattern - 6

Take a rectangular shaped craft paper and fold it into half width-wise.

Draw a half heart shape pattern on the folded paper as shown in the picture of this step. Cut out the paper along the traced pattern.

Open the half fold. Make small and even accordion folds on the cut out paper.

Hold and squeeze the center of the folded paper gently to bring the folds together. Apply glue along any one side of the inner fold and join the inner sides to create the heart shaped leaf.

Step 9: Leaf Pattern - 7

Take a rectangular shaped craft paper and fold it into half width-wise.

Draw a toothed pattern on the folded paper as shown in the picture of this step. The pattern should be along the open side of the folded paper.

Cut out the paper along the traced pattern.

Unfold the cutout paper. Make small and even accordion folds on it.

Hold and squeeze the center of the folded paper gently to bring the center folds together. Apply glue along any one side of the inner fold and join the inner sides to create the toothed leaf.

Papercraft Contest 2015

Runner Up in the
Papercraft Contest 2015