American Crafts Studio Blog: Nightfall Wreath Tutorial by Amy Heller

Amy Heller created an adorable fall wreath that she's going to show us step-by-step how to re-create:

Fall Origami Leaf Wreath by Amy Heller

Supplies: Starry Night Paper (35515) - Nightfall, Fall Leaves Paper (35530) - Nightfall, Autumn Feast Paper (35522) - Nightfall, Halloween Night Paper (35507) - Nightfall, Fall Colors Paper (35527) - Nightfall, Autumn Gathering Paper (35524) - Nightfall, Nighfall Plastic Buttons (85561) - Elements, Autumn (42205) - Remarks, Elm Rust (53215)-Elm, Thanks (70072) - Flair, Chestnut (71048) - Cardstock, Chocolate (58451) - Ribbon, Brown Sheer (58605) - Ribbon, Brown Printed Sheer (58410) - Ribbo; Other: Wreath form, sewing machine, brown thread

BASIC ORIGAMI LEAF

1) Cut your patterned paper into squares. For my wreath I used three sizes of squares: 2.5", 3.5", and 5"

2) Turn your preferred pattern, face up, and fold on the diagonal.

3) Take the top layer of your triangle and fold the top corner down about 1/3 of the way down. 4) Turn over your paper and do the same thing on the opposite side. 5) Fold up the bottom folded seam up at a slight angle about 1/8 of the way up the side.

6) Turn the folded piece up on end and open. This is what your finished, basic origami leaf will look like:

ORIGAMI LEAF WITH VEINS

Now, if you'd like to add more dimension, I'm going to show you how to add veins to your leaf. I used this method on my larger leaves and left my smallest leaves basic.

7) Go back to Step 5. With the folded 1/3 down, take the bottom right hand corner and fold it up at the same angle as the folded down triangle at the top of your paper.HINT: Use the bottom piece of paper as your guide to fold in line with that angle, it makes it much easier than guessing. Fold down the seem really well.

8) Begin accordion folding all the way down to the end of your point.

9) Turn over your completed piece. Accordion fold the top flap, start by folding downwards as shown. When completely folded it will look like this.

10) Open up your folded accordions like this. Voila, you have more dimension!

11) Complete all of your folding of your leaves in various colors and sizes.

I found that when I was creating my wreath it helped tremendously to create clusters of leaves. This way I wasn't fumbling with leaves all over, rather I created a handful of clusters and arranged them as I thought they worked on the wreath form.

For even more dimension and texture, once I created my clusters, I added some zig zag stitching to some of the leaves.

When my clusters were completed, I arranged them as I wanted then I placed a number on the back of each cluster along with on my wreath form, so I would make sure to know where they were to be placed prior to adhering them to the form. Once I finished adhering, I focused on adorning my wreath with a bow, folded ribbons placed throughout the leaves, and a card that hangs below. It really was an easy and fast wreath to create!