Iris Folding

Iris folding is an ideal way to add a special touch to a special layout. The iris fold design can be bright and colorful or elegant and sophisticated, depending on the look you want.

Originally from Holland, iris folding is simply arranging strips of folded paper in a pattern that resembles the iris of an eye or camera. Dutch paper crafters would cut their paper strips from the inside of patterned envelopes, but today it is more common to use lightweight patterned paper.

You can make your own iris fold using this pattern. You’ll need the following:

• 4 different patterned papers
• tracing paper
• scissors
• double-sided tape or photo tabs
• stick glue
• ruler
• pattern

Iris folding begins with a window or frame, then is built inward with folded paper strips to form the iris pattern. In these examples, the iris folds are all built clockwise, following the numbers, alternating the patterned papers. Iris folds are built on the back of a 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’re working on the back of the window you are creating a mirror image.

To make this flag, Shauna turned the iris folding pattern horizontally, then alternated red and white roses for three sections and used all Navy with stars in the fourth. Then she trimmed the edges, matted it on gold and hung it from a brad with gold wire.

Susan used the tags template to create her window, then built the iris from peach, green floral, green and peach vines paper. She added embossed paper charms to the pattern and topped it off with a sheer bow.

Instructions:

1. Trace the pattern, left, 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 the pattern 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 be 1ž2"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.

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.

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.