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]

 

You might also like to make the pyramid-shaped German Bell Ornaments that can be seen in the image above - believe it or not, they're made from an index card.