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Iris Folding

For a unique hand-crafted look, try iris folding for your cards and layouts—it's a great way to add color, dimension and interest to any paper-crafting project.

What is Iris Folding?

Iris folding is simply arranging strips of folded paper in a pattern that resembles the iris of an eye or camera. You'll need: 4 different patterned papers, tracing paper, scissors, double-sided tape or photo tabs, stick glue, a ruler and the pattern below.

Iris folding begins with a window or frame, then is built inward with folded paper strips to form the iris pattern. The scrapbook page shown uses the pattern below, and is built clockwise, following the numbers, alternating the patterned papers. Iris folds are built on the back of the window—the edges are messy—and are always secured with tape—glue won't hold them and can bleed onto the front. Remember, since you are working on the back of the window you are creating a mirror image.

 

Creating an Iris Fold
1.		 Click on an
image to view
larger
graphic.

1. Trace the pattern onto tracing paper. Use the outer edge of the pattern to cut a window shape in your paper, tag, or scrapbook page. Secure the pattern to your work surface. Place your window face-down over the pattern so it is visible in the window and secure one edge to your work surface with repositionable tape.
2. Cut six 1"x4" strips of four different papers. Fold each strip in half lengthwise to 1/2"x4". Apply stick glue inside each strip to hold them closed. Sort them into four piles, one for each pattern. Align the fold of a strip to cover space #1 on the pattern. Tape it in place on the back of your window. Align the fold of a different patterned strip to cover space #2 on the pattern. Tape it in place.
2a.
2b.
3. Continue clockwise around the window, covering the spaces in numerical order and alternating the patterned papers. Occasionally lift your window to check how the iris is coming along. One set of patterned papers covers the orange spaces, the second covers the green spaces, the third covers the tan spaces and the fourth covers the pink spaces. Space #22 is available for the pattern of your choice. You will have extra strips of paper.
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3b.
4. Trim the paper that extends beyond the outer edge of your window and secure any loose strips. Turn the window and iris over then tape it to your scrapbook page.
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Beatrice (layout shown above)

Susan used the tags template to create her window, then built the iris from peach, green floral, green and peach vines papers following the steps above. She matted the photo on tan and peach paper, then cut around the flowers with an X-acto® knife and tucked the photo underneath. She used the embossed paper charms to add sparkle to the page and draw the eye to the iris folding, then topped it off with a bow.

Supplies:

Iris folding instructions and page reprinted from Making Designer Scrapbook Pages. This 144-page idea book includes techniques like iris folding, plus altering charms, stamping, adding penwork and personalizing tags.

Susan Cobb is one of the five talented designers featured in Making Designer Scrapbook Pages. Susan is famous for her paper-engineering techniques—a unique style of cutting, collaging, layering and otherwise working with paper to add an extra-special touch to a handmade card or layout. She's also the author of Susan's Paper Engineering Secrets.