Pennsylvania German Folded Paper Stars
I'm very glad my mother-in-law taught me how to make three dimensional Pennsylvania German folded stars. She learned the technique from a neighbor more than fifty years ago and has shared the directions with quite a few friends and family.
Made with four long (24 inch) strips of lightweight paper (similar to regular computer paper) they're really quite easy once you get the hang of the folding steps (older children can do them too) and she and I always enjoy getting together to make a batch. At times we leave them plain white and other times dip in melted paraffin and sprinkle with fine, clear glitter.
We've given them as gifts and decorated trees for our local hospice's Festival of Trees... so pretty with all white stars and tiny white lights. The stars make an easy table centerpiece - just fill a decorative bowl - or string them on metallic cording for a mantel garland. They can also be hot glued on a wreath or use one or more on a package in place of a bow.
We purchase pre-cut strips at the Ephrata Cloister museum shop in Pennsylvania, but Bethlehem Paper is an online source with many choices. Cynthia's YouTube woven paper star video walks you through the folding process. [2024 updated links]
Stay tuned for directions for the folded German Bell Ornament that can also be seen in the picture - believe it or not, it's made from a simple index card.
So pretty, Ann! I like the music stars but think your suggestion of the white with tiny white lights would be my favorite. Thanks for sharing the instruction links. hugs xo
ReplyDeleteHi Ann! So nice to stop by and meet you! I will have to go back and see your past posts as you have such a great blog here.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link to my place about making the stars.
Kindly, ldh
These are one my favorites!
ReplyDeleteThey are also called Moravian stars.
I have a number of customers who make these using the wider quilling paper (it's 24" so it's perfect), the pearlized paper makes stunning stars!
Someone sent me a picture of the stars done in fall colors in an arrangement with sunflowers. I had always thought of them for use at the holidays, but these changed my mind!
Thank you so much for sharing Ann!!
Keep on Quillin',
Denise ~ Custom Quilling Supplies
http://www.customquillingbydenise.com/shop
Largest Selection of Quilling & Punch Supplies
http://customquilling.blogspot.com
Thanks everyone!
ReplyDeleteDenise, I've also heard these stars called Moravian, but according to Wikipedia:
"Simple paper decorations made from four folded strips of paper are sometimes also called "Moravian" stars, but are known as German stars, Swedish stars, or more correctly as Froebel Stars, named after Friedrich Fröbel, the German educator who invented them."
Moravian stars most commonly have 26 points and look like this: http://www.moravianstars.com/images/36big.jpg
Great point about making them with the pearlized quilling strips... they would be beautiful. The narrower the strip, the less length you'll need.
Where can you purchase these Froebel Star ready made?
ReplyDeleteDavid, Stjernestunder in Denmark makes and sells beautiful ones. I'll actually be featuring the site on Monday. You can message the owner Helle Holst via Facebook https://www.facebook.com/stjernestunder or the website: http://www.stjernestunder.dk/
DeleteDavid, you can purchase them from this website:
Deletehttp://www.highhopes.com/3dstar.html
I bought the paper from them and I really enjoyed making them myself but if you don't have the time or just don't have the patience, you can order the stars already made at a very reasonable price.
Have you noticed how much paper strip you cut off when "finished" your star? I use the remaining strip to create another layer, and it works out perfectly with no remaining paper! You can have a look at my "Folly with Froebel" here. I hope you enjoy trying it out!
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egkYycCELhg
Thanks for letting us know about the variation and your video!
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