Step by Step Guide to 10 Simple Silk and Kite Folding Paper Designs for Your Windows
May 24, 2024, by Erin Kemppainen
Welcome to the world of paper folding for your windows!
In this guide, we'll explore 10 simple kite and silk folded paper designs to add a splash of colour to your windows. For seasoned crafters, newcomers to the joys of creative expression, and anyone seeking a fun activity to do with your little ones, our step by step guide takes you through each step in an easy to follow format.
In no time, you will have a delightful collection of window stars, flowers, butterflys, dragonflys, hearts and even a three leaf clover to brighten up your space!
We have used the Mercurius Window Star Folding Kite Paper (16x 16 cm) in the following guide. However, there are many paper options you can use, and at Oskar's Wooden Ark we have a large selection of Origami, Folding and Craft Paper to choose from. In addition to your chosen paper, you will also need a glue stick, ruler, pencil and scissors on hand.
Wanting to share your creations? Please share with us on Instagram and Facebook using the hashtag #OskarsWoodenArk.
1. Step by Step Guide to create a Heart Window Star
The simplest designs often start with a folded paper heart for your window!
Mastering this folding method will serve as the foundation for many of the designs in this blog post. Once you've mastered it, the techniques you have learnt will make the other designs much easier.
For this design, you will need two sheets of paper in the same colour.
Step 1
Begin with a square piece of paper.
Step 2
Fold the paper in half diagonally to form a triangle.
Step 3
Unfold the paper to reveal a crease.
Step 4
Fold the paper in half diagonally in the opposite direction to form another triangle.
Step 5
Unfold the paper again to reveal an X-shaped crease.
Step 6
Fold two adjacent corners to meet the centre line.
Step 7
Fold the bottom edges inward so they align with the centre fold, creating a point at the bottom.
Step 8
Fold the upper left corner down to meet the center fold.
Step 9
Repeat steps 1-8 with a second square piece of paper. Tape the two pieces together at the edges to form a heart shape.
2. Folded Paper Butterfly for your Windows
To make your Folded Butterfly, you will need four sheets of paper in the same colour for the wings, and one sheet of paper in a contrasting colour for the body.
Build on the heart folding techniques you learnt in the previous guide, and simply add in the body!
Step 1
Follow steps 1-9 in the Heart tutorial to create two separate heart designs. These will be the butterfly's wings.
Step 2
Using the single sheet of paper in a contrasting colour, follow steps 1-8 in the Heart tutorial to create the butterfly's body.
Step 3
Fold the opposing sides to meet the centre line to form the butterfly's body.
Step 4
Attach the wings to the back of the body (we have used tape) ensuring they are symmetrical.
3. Shamrock or Three-Leaf Clover Folded Window Design
To make your Three-Leaf Clover folded window design, you will need seven pieces of green paper.
You can use any Folding Paper for your designs - we find Kite Paper is a little more durable and has a slight sheen, while Silk Tissue Paper produces a more delicate design. While both have a good level of transparency.
Step 1
Follow steps 1-8 in the Heart tutorial.
Step 2
Make two small folds on either side of the upper left point you folded down in step 8 of the Heart tutorial.
Step 3
Repeat steps 1 & 2 until you have three hearts.
Step 4
Follow steps 1-7 in the Heart tutorial to begin forming the stem.
Step 5
Fold the opposing sides of the stem piece to meet the centre line.
Step 6
Repeat step 5 to create a thinner piece for the stem.
Step 7
Attach the three hearts to the stem, positioning them so the points just touch, leaving a small space between each heart.
4. Step by Step Guide to your Folded Paper Daisy
Your Folded Paper Daisy will use eight sheets of paper for the petals, and one sheet of a different colour for the centre.
Have fun exploring different colour combinations to create an entire paper garden!
Step 1
Follow steps 1-9 of the Heart tutorial. Repeat four times so you have four hearts.
Step 2
Cut out a circle in the different colour paper for the centre.
Step 3
Arrange the four hearts so that their edges are just touching, then secure them with tape. Glue the circle to the centre.
5. Guide to Create a Folded Paper Window Lotus
To make your Paper Lotus, you will need five sheets of pink for the petals, and three sheets of green for the leaves.
This would make a beautiful water scene, paired with our Kitpas Window Crayons!
Step 1
Follow steps 1-7 of the Heart tutorial. Repeat for all the pink and green pieces.
Step 2
Glue the five pink pieces together at their centre folds, aligning the points.
Step 3
Glue the three green pieces together, ensuring the points align as well. Spread them out to match the width of the pink pieces.
Step 4
Attach both pieces together, with the green pieces positioned behind the pink ones.
6. Traditional Waldorf Window Star - Step by Step Guide
This design is a favourite and the simplest of the Waldorf Window Stars.
Have fun with different colour combinations. For each Window Star, you will need eight sheets of paper.
Step 1
Begin with a square piece of paper.
Step 2
Fold the paper in half diagonally to form a triangle.
Step 3
Unfold the paper to reveal the crease.
Step 4
Fold the paper in half diagonally in the opposite direction to form another triangle, then unfold it.
Step 5
Fold the bottom left corner up to meet the centre fold.
Step 6
Repeat the previous step on the other side to complete the first point of your star. Repeat steps 1-6 for all eight sheets.
Step 7
Use glue to attach each piece to the previous one, ensuring their points meet at the centre.
Step 8
Repeat step 7 for all pieces to form your Window Star.
7. Guide to Make your Paper Dragonfly
To make your Paper Dragonfly Window Decoration, you will need four sheets of paper for the wings, and one contrasting colour for the body.
We have used two different colours for the wings to create more of a contrast.
Step 1
Follow steps 1-8 of the Heart tutorial.
Step 2
Fold the left side into the centre fold to form a point.
Step 3
Repeat the previous step on the other side.
Repeat steps 1-3 three more times to form the wings.
Step 4
Follow steps 1-8 of the Heart tutorial on the remaining piece of paper to begin the dragonfly's body.
Step 5
Fold the opposing sides to meet the centre line.
Step 6
Repeat step 5 to create a thinner body.
Step 7
Attach the wings to the back of the body (we have used tape) ensuring they are symmetrical.
8. Guide to Make your Folded Paper Mushroom
To make your Folded Paper Mushroom Window Decoration, you will need one sheet of red and one sheet of white.
Team up with Flowers, Butterfly and Dragonfly from our guide, for a truly magical and imaginative window display.
Step 1
Follow steps 1-5 of the Heart tutorial.
Step 2
Fold the lower right corner into the centre point.
Step 3
Unfold it to reveal the crease you just made.
Step 4
Fold the upper left corner to meet the newly formed crease.
Step 5
Fold the lower right corner upward, overlapping the upper left corner slightly.
Step 6
Fold the upper right corner inward to align with the upper left corner.
Step 7
Repeat the previous step with the lower left corner to complete the top of the mushroom.
Step 8
Follow steps 1-8 in the Heart tutorial to create the base of the mushroom.
Step 9
Attach the base to the back of the mushroom top.
9. Step by Step Guide to make your Paper Tulip
To make your folded paper tulip, first select your colour for the bud (one sheet), and pair with a green sheet for the stem.
Make a selection of different colour Tulips and create your own Tulip Paddock!
Step 1
Begin with a square piece of paper for the bud of the tulip, orientated so it looks like a diamond.
Step 2
Fold the paper in half to form a triangle.
Step 3
Fold one side of the triangle inward, creating a crease at the centre.
Step 4
Repeat the previous step on the other side, then flip the piece over.
Step 5
Fold one of the new points inward.
Step 6
Repeat the previous step on the other side to complete the tulip bud.
Step 7
For the stem, follow steps 1-2 before folding the right corner to meet the centre fold.
Step 8
Repeat the previous step on the other side.
Step 9
Fold the bottom edge up to meet the centre fold.
Step 10
Repeat the previous step on the other side.
Step 11
Fold the upper right edge inward to align with the centre fold.
Step 12
Repeat the previous step on the other side.
Step 13
Overlap the bottom point over the top one, positioning it diagonally.
Step 14
Attach the stem to the back of the bud to form your tulip.
10. Creating a Paper Autumn Leaf for Your Window
To make your Autumn Paper Leaf, you will need three sheets in the same colour for the leaves, and one sheet of a contrasting colour for the stem.
If you feel extra creative, play with different colours for the leaves, and be inspired by what you find on a nature walk!
Step 1
Prepare 3 x pieces measuring 13cm (L) & 8cm (W), and 2 x pieces measuring 9cm (L) & 5cm (W).
Step 2
Begin with a 13 x 8 cm piece first.
Step 3
Fold it in half long ways.
Step 4
Unfold it to reveal the newly made crease.
Step 5
Fold each of the four points inward to align with the centre fold.
Step 6
Unfold them all to reveal the newly made creases.
Step 7
Fold each of the four points inwards, this time aligning them with the crease made in the previous step.
Step 8
For the two bottom corners, fold down the crease made in step 6 to align with the centre fold.
Step 9
For the two upper corners, fold them along the crease made in step 7.
Step 10
Fold the two upper corners inwards to the centre fold. Repeat steps 1-10 for the other two 13 x 8 cm pieces.
Step 11
With the 9 x 5 cm piece, follow steps 1-5.
Step 12
Follow step 7 for the bottom corners only.
Step 13
Follow step 10 for the bottom corners only. Repeat steps 11-13 for the other 9 x 5 cm piece.
Step 14
Attach the three larger pieces together along the first crease made in step 5, with the longer sides pointing outwards.
Step 15
Attach the two smaller pieces to the centre folds of the two outside larger pieces.
Step 16
Follow steps 1-7 of the Heart tutorial to begin creating the stem.
Step 17
Fold the opposing sides of the stem piece to meet the centre fold.
Step 18
Repeat the previous step to create a thinner piece for the stem.
Step 19
Repeat again.
Step 20
Attach the stem to the back of the leaf.
Wanting to make more Waldorf Window Stars?
We hope you're feeling inspired and have discovered how easy it is to make simple paper folding flowers, hearts and window stars. Ready for a new challenge ... check out our blog post on Creating Waldorf Rainbow Window Stars
