DIY Paper Fan Birthday Garlands

DIY Paper Fan Birthday Garlands. Create two sizes of birthday fan garlands in minutes using your favorite scrapbook paper.

I love using scrapbook paper for home decor! One of my favorite projects to make are paper fans (medallions) for different holidays and birthdays. It’s so easy to make paper fans. In just minutes you can transform a piece of paper into a festive party decoration.

DIY Paper Fan Birthday garlands

Paper fans are the perfect party decoration because you can customize them to the occasion. I made some paper fans for my Valentine’s Day mantel and added paper hearts. But I have made paper fans for birthdays and other parties too.

Make Paper Fans Garlands in TWO Different Sizes

You can also make paper fans and medallions in different sizes. If you want larger medallions, you can make 12-inch diameter medallions by using two sheets of 12 x 12 scrapbook paper. You can make 7-inch diameter medallions out of one sheet of 12 x 12 scrapbook paper.

Layer Different Size Paper Fan Garlands

I love to use two different sizes of paper fans when I am decorating my mantel or party table. I also use different patterns of paper when I create paper fans.

Make Paper Fan Garlands

Paper fan garlands are another way to decorate a mantel or party table.

Paper fan garlands are made in the same way as paper medallions. The only difference is that instead of attaching the front and back fold together to make a circle, you only use half of the paper and attach a ribbon to the front and back folded sections, creating a flat paper fan.

Combine Paper Medallions and Paper Fan Garland

I love the look of paper medallions AND paper fan garlands together. By echoing the paper in both the paper medallions and paper fans, you create a really festive look for a fireplace, shelf or paper table.

How to Make a Paper Fan Garland

In just three easy steps, you can make a colorful paper fan garland. To get the full instructions on how to make paper medallions, click on my paper medallion tutorial.

12-inch Wide Paper Fan Garland Supplies

ribbon (length depending on how long you want to make it)

Scrapbook paper (1 page per medallion)

(I used paper from my new Hey Hello! Pebbles Inc. line – coming in April to JoAnn stores! )

Hot Glue and Glue Gun

Paper Fan Garland Directions:

Fold each piece of scrapbook paper

Fold paper into 1-inch sections (accordian-style)

Glue the end folds of the folded scrapbook paper to the ribbon.

Place the first paper fan 2 inches away from the end of the the 6-foot length of ribbon. Glue the first end of the paper strip onto the ribbon. Then bring the other end over and glue that right next to the first strip. Push the paper strip down, creating a circle.

Then flip the fan over and glue the folds together. I also added a piece of paper on top of the hot glue to hold the shape.

Space Each Fan on the Ribbon

Place each paper fan 2 inches away from the other previous paper fan

Hot Glue to Ribbon

Hot glue each paper fan to the ribbon at 2 -inch intervals until all 6 paper fans are glued onto the ribbon

NOTE — you can make your paper fan garland as long as you want. Determine how long you want your garland to be. Then see how many paper fans you need for that length of garland. Be sure to calculate the 2-inch spaces into your measurement.

How to Make a Paper Fan Garland with Smaller Fans

Smaller paper fan medallion is made in similar fashion to the larger size. Instead of trimming the paper to 6-inch wide sections, cut the paper to 3 inches wide by 12 inches long. You will need 1/2 sheet og 12×12 inch scrapbook paper per fan.

Glue a Strip of Paper at the Top of Each Fan

To keep the smaller fans straight, add a 6-inch wide x 1 inch strip of paper to the top of the fan and glue in place, holding the fan against a flat surface to make the top flat. Then hot glue the back of the fan together and add a piece of paper on top to hold the shape. The last step is the hot glue the fans to the ribbon with 2 inch stripes of ribbon in between fans.

Hey Hello! Paper Line is Shipping NOW!

My newest paper line — Hey Hello! with Pebbles Inc. is shipping now AND is coming to JoAnn Stores in April! I will be sharing all about the line on my site this week. It’s a line full of beautiful, colorful papers. It’s also a line that makes card making super easy!