Folded Star Sprigs 3D Wreath Tutorial

Raised hexagon wreath base provides platform 

for eight folded stars with 24 sprigs swirling 

in outer and inner "rings". 

Two layers of fir fringe shapes also swirl 

from behind wreath base. Make a wreath - 

like the raffia-colored sample shown 

(or use a more traditional greens combination)  - 

by attaching hanging "loop" & ribbon to back. 

To use as ring centerpiece, 

center a large pillar candle (up to 4" diam. base) 

or the "candle stand 3 inch pillar" separate design. 

Spritz with spatter paint or ink, 

add decorative berry sprigs if desired. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A platform wedges (8)   
B main wreath base (NOTE some of "finger openings"
have been eliminated in the final version)
C platform support strips (8)
D & E lower & upper edge fringe (8 ea)
F sprig shapes (24)
G folded star strips (shown in 1 set of 8)
H opt. hanger (2 to be layered)
Not shown: corner fringe lower & upper (8 ea)

2. Prepare the platform support strip by

bending back on the center line perforation,

bending edge tabs forward.

3. For each support strip,
apply adhesive to the separate-panels half
backside . . .

. . . then folding and attaching to the opposite

half as shown. Tabs should remain unattached.

Apply pressure all along for a good sturdy strip.

3. Bend the strips into a reverse 'C' as shown,

with the cut edges "seams" outward.

4. Bring tabs together to insert the tab ends

through the corresponding slots of the base, then . . . 

. . . bend tabs outward and glue undersides
(actually face of strip paper) to the backside of base.

Place the base on flat surface and apply finger

pressure to the tab areas until a good, flat

connection is completed.

5. Prepare the wedge shapes as shown,

bending back on all horizontal perforations.

Also bend back the upper and lower side tabs.

NOTE that the center extension is NOT a tab,

and is not bent back. It contains two small dash

guidelines that may be helpful later in the assembly,

but do not fold.

6. Begin the attachment of the wedges by

positioning the first wedge narrow end tab

at one of the 8 inside angles of the base,

fitting it snugly between the angles, with

flange tab perforation line exactly at the

base edge, and gluing in place.

7. Working in a counter-clockwise direction,
add the second and remaining wedges in the
same fashion, bending the previous wedge outward
to keep it out of the way.

8. As the final wedge is being placed, bend the side

tabs back . . .

. . . and flex the tab side to arrange it under

the first wedge straight edges.

The assembly should now have 8 wedges in place,

with the straight side edge of each overlapping

the tab side edge of adjacent wedge.

9. Bend neighboring wedge edge out of the way

to apply adhesive to the inner tab, then . . .

. . . reposition so that straight edge aligns at the
tab perforation, and apply pressure to achieve
a firm joint.

NOTE that it may prove helpful to insert a
"press-against" surface under the wedges
(and between the support strips), such as
the eraser end of this new pencil)
to help complete the seam.
Repeat the inner seam joining for all wedges.

10. Join the top platform face extensions
by applying adhesive . . .

. . . then positioning each wedge so that

the straight edge overlaps to the perf dash

guidemarks, then apply pressure to join.

11. Apply adhesive (we recommend a quick-grab

glue such as "Fabri-Tack) to the lower, outer tabs,

one or two at a time, then wrap the adjacent wedge

edge over to align its straight edge at tab perf line.

Complete all 8 tab seams.

12. Flip wreath assembly back side up to

apply glue to the outer flange tab, bend it

into position, then . . .

. . . use the finger access openings to
apply pressure to join the tab all along
its length.

NOTE that it will also be helpful to insert
a blade "press against" surface such as
the blade end of this spatula tool to assist
in attaching tab ends.
Repeat for all 8 tabs.

13. Prepare the edge fringe ALL shapes by adding

some upward curl to the strips by rolling them over 

a rod tool while applying careful pressure.

NOTE that a 'T' is cut into the "TOP" fringe shapes
(this one showing from shape's backside for
visibility to camera).
The top fringe shape is also slightly narrower
outer to inner edge.

14. Layer a pair of bottom and top fringe shapes

with back and side straight edges aligned

and glue the inner "solid" portions together.

Repeat to produce 8 total paired shapes.

15. Identify the cut dash guidemarks at the

ends of the fringe shapes.

These will assist with consistent base edge

positioning.

Apply adhesive to the face side "solid" area,

then position each fringe shape under one edge

of the wreath assembly, adjusting base edge

to align at the guide dash marks, with

ends centered between angles of base.

16. Prepare "corner" fringe pairs in the same

manner as for the longer fringe pairs.

Position one at each wreath angle, to fill in

the gap between longer fringe strips. . .

. . .centering at angle, and adjusting so that

the outer tips are approximately even

for a smooth visual transition around wreath,

and glue in place.

17. Curl each sprig shape.

18. Note the three 'x' marks on each top surface

of the platform wedges . . .

. . . then position and attach the stem-end punch hole

of a sprig shape over an 'x', working from left

to right as shown in this frame, with the sprigs

arching over the wreath edge.

19. Repeat the sprig position and attaching

a trio of sprigs on each wedge, aiming at the

same angle orientation for each wedge

to create a consistent pattern around wreath.

20. Prepare 8 folded stars by using the cut strips

and following the tutorial steps presented here.

Complete steps 1-19.

21. Experiment with a "dry fit" arrangement of

8 stars, placing one approximately at the

wreath angles. . .

. . . but adjusting as necessary

for even spacing, as well as "spinning" the star

tips to avoid the neighboring tips while covering

the sprig stem end punch holes as much as possible.

Glue each star into position

(it may be helpful to use a glue such as Fabri-Tack.)

22. Prepare the optional hanger by

layering and attaching the pair of shapes.

23. Position and attach the hanger under one

octagon edge of the wreath base, using the

dash cut guidemarks on the hanger to align

at the edge.

24. Complete the optional decoration of your wreath.

The sample wreath includes:

a) brown paint or ink spattering to give the

wreath a more blended appearance

b) ribbon loop through the hanger

c) cut sections of a winter berry stem

(this one came from JoAnn Fabrics)

with sprigs stem ends hot-glued and placed

under edges of stars on inner and outer 

wreath curves.

Here is the completed wreath.