Learn how to make a paper fan with our easy-to-follow tutorial. In addition, we have included five stunning paper fan templates and a video tutorial for your convenience.
Hello, Craftaholics! How are you enjoying the summer? Apart from the scorching heat, summer is all about picnics, camping, delicious ice creams, and fruity fun! So we’re here to share with you a fun summer craft; learn how to make a paper fan with the help of free templates and easy-to-follow tutorials.
Today’s paper fan project is a perfect craft for summer. Whether you’re on a camping trip, picnic or just hanging out with friends, these cute and fruity paper fans can be a great addition to your activities.
You can also use these paper fans to decorate space during summer parties or any other occasion to brighten up any room and add a playful and colorful element to your area. These can also be beautiful photography props; I have recently used them as photography props.
The tutorial comes with free paper fan templates but you can also craft them without the help of a template; and of course, it’s super beginner-friendly.
The cost of one paper fan won’t even cross a dollar and it’ll take an average crafter around 10 minutes to craft one. Definitely worth adding to your summer craft bucket list.
How to Make a Paper Fan
List of supplies
Tools
- A pair of scissors
- Pencil – to trace the template
- Sharpies
Materials
- Colored craft papers
- Popsicle stick
- Craft glue
Free Paper Fan Template
Don’t have enough colored craft papers? No worries, download this colorful fruit slice pattern template and print them out. It has 5 different patterns, have fun! Download paper fan templates.
Step-by-Step Instructions on How to Make a Paper Fan
Step 1: Prepare the Patterns
First of all, let’s decide on a fruit pattern for the fruit paper fan and then select colored craft papers for it. We’re crafting a watermelon paper fan. You can measure and divide an A4 size sheet into 3 even parts (along the 11 inches side).
Cut out the traced/ divided 3 even parts and we’ll use the strips to make the fan part of the craft. You can use 2 strips to make the fan instead of 3 strips.
Step 2: Prepare the Fruit Pattern Base
You can use the patterns from the provided template or you can use customized fruit patterns for the craft. For the watermelon pattern, you’ll need a light green round base for the outer layer/ thick skin and a slightly smaller round pink base for the pulp/ flesh part.
Join the pink round cutout in the center of the light green round cutout.
Step 3: Trace the Seed Outlines on the Base
Use a pencil to trace the seed outlines around the center of the fruit base’s pink part.
Step 4: Fill the Seed Outlines
Use a black sharpie to fill the seed outlines. Try filling the seed outlines as neatly as you can.
Step 5: Fold the Strips
Take any one of the strips prepared in the first step. Make thin and even accordion folds on the strip.
Step 6: Accordion Folds on Both Strips
Similarly, make accordion folds on the 2nd strip. You can use a 3rd strip if you want to but 2 strips will do just fine.
Step 7: Join Both Accordion Folded Strips
Join the 2 accordion-folded strips side by side.
Step 8: Form an Accordion Folded Ring
Now, join the 2 open ends of the attached accordion folded strips and form a ring.
Step 9: Flatten the Accordion Folded Ring
Hold any one side of the accordion folded ring and push it towards the center. Push the side towards the center until the ring is flattened.
Step 10: Apply Glue on the Center/ Base Patterns
Prepare a small round shape from the same colored craft paper used for the accordion folded pattern. Apply glue on the prepared round cutout and also on the backside of the watermelon base pattern.
Step 11: Attach the Fruit Base
Attach the watermelon base on any one side of the flattened accordion folded pattern. Gently press the watermelon base against the accordion folded pattern to make sure that they are attached nicely.
Step 12: Attach the Popsicle Stick
Turn the fan pattern to the other side and attach the small round cutout in the center of the accordion folded pattern. And finally, attach a popsicle stick on that side to make the paper fan handle.
Step 13: Allow the Glue to Dry
Make sure that the glue completely dries before using the paper fan.
Video Tutorial: How to Make a Paper Fan
Did you know that we also share video tutorials of each craft on our blog post? Check out our YouTube channel for more fun craft tutorials and hit the subscribe button and turn on the notification bell while you’re there.
Tips for Beginners on How to Make a Paper Fan
If you are a beginner at paper crafting, you may have difficulty making this craft as it requires neat folding skills. However, I do have some tips so you can avoid common mistakes.
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- Use medium or thick-colored craft papers for this craft. Using thick cardstock paper might be difficult for the accordion folds.
- You can either use the provided template patterns or you can mix and match colored craft appears to make customized fruit slices.
- Use large popsicle sticks for the handle of the paper fan.
- Use white glue or craft glue for this craft and allow the glue to dry entirely before using the fan.
We really hope that you liked our tutorial on how to make a paper fan just as much as we enjoyed crafting it. We absolutely loved how these paper fan crafts turned out and tried to keep the tutorial as simple as possible.
If you enjoy papercraft projects, here are some papercraft tutorials from our blog you might also like.
- How to Make a Paper Bow
- DIY Crepe Paper Sunflower Craft
- DIY New Year’s Wreath Paper Craft
- How to Make Paper Heart Ring
- How to Make Paper Butterflies
This paper fan craft is a very fun and summer-friendly craft project. From kids to adults, this paper fan craft can be done by crafters of all ages. Beginners may also love this one as it is not that much complicated.
If you re-create our paper fan and come up with a fun-fruity pattern for it, we would love to see it! Don’t forget to share a picture of the craft with us and tag us on Facebook or Instagram (use #thecraftaholicwitch).
Happy Crafting!
