Snowflake Accordion Hanger

Large hanging dimensional ornament is composed

of six assembled wedges connected at

triangular side panels which allow it to be

spread into a circle and temp-connected with

push-thru tab (assisted with temp adhesive if desired)

and hung by attached ribbon loop.

Later, undo the tab and collapse the wedges

into a stack for easy storage.

Measures approx. 11.75x11x3 when opened.

Hang as a single winter time ornament, or

in a series, with or without the decorative panels

on front and/or back.

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
A wedge section #1 (left end)
B wedge sections #2-5 (center)
C wedge section #6 (right end)
D accent shape half pairs (6 pairs)

2. Prepare ALL SIX wedge sections by bending

back on all perforation lines, including tab flanges

at sides and bottom.

3. Position and attach the decor shapes to the

central "whole" arm area, aligning the "straight"

accent center edges up the center perforation

so that they abut.

NOTE: it is possible to put accent shapes

on the backside of the star wedges also,

(this is why the accents are split in half in file)

which would involve cutting a second set

of 6 pairs, then attaching them at the "half arm"

areas on left and right ends of each wedge unit.

(This sample will only include accents on front.)

Here is the completed wedge 

with front only accents.

4. Fold the side and bottom tab flanges inward . . .

. . . then fold the wedge on its center front perf line

to bring the "straight" side and bottom edges

to overlap the tab fold edges to perforations.

(The wedge is now in its trapezoid form.)

5. Apply adhesive to the tabs and secure

the side and bottom seams.

6. The wedge can now be transformed into

its wedge form by pressing the pointed arm

portions of front and back together . . .  

. . . while allowing 

the side triangle faces to push

outward to the sides.

This is the dimensional wedge form.

7. Re-identify the left end wedge

by locating its push-through tab.

The right end wedge will have

a corresponding circular opening.

8. Prepare to join the wedge sections

by lining up the left end wedge (push-through tab)

with the first of the middle wedges with their

triangle faces brought together.

This is how they will be connected.

However . . . 

. . . the wedges will be re-transformed into

their trapezoid form during the attachment process.

9. Apply adhesive to one of the triangle faces . . .

. . . then layer the two together while matching

up as precisely as possible the side angle folds

and the bottom fold, and the top center points.

Apply a good amount of pressure to ensure

that the connection is thorough and complete.

NOTE: placing a flat weight on the sections

during the glue-drying process may be advisable.

10. Continue to add the wedge sections to the

assembly stack, first the remaining 3 middle

wedges, then the final right end wedge (tab hole).

Take care with alignment, and add adequate

pressure to ensure good joining.

11. Unfold the accordion snowflake by allowing
or assisting the wedges to spread into a circle,
transforming from their flat trapezoid forms . . . 

. . . into their dimensional wedge forms,
while bringing the left and right end triangle faces
together . . .

. . . so that they finally touch, and it is possible

to push the circle tab of one through 

the circle opening of the other.

This will "lock" the snowflake into its open form.

Here is the snowflake opened and locked.

When the snowflake needs to be stored,

this tab can be released, and the snowflake

folded back into its trapezoid stack form.

If the closing faces don't stay tightly together

enough to suit, a little temp adhesive tape or dots

may be added to assist.

12. Attach a ribbon hanging loop through
a selected front/back pair of point punch holes.

Here is the completed snowflake.