Bicone 3D Pleated Ornament

Select lighter weight card stock or heavier weight 

printed paper. Perforations define the pleats to create 

the accordion fan-folds of this lantern-shaped ornament 

for holiday or seasonal decor. Bend, crease, and shape 

three panels; join end seams, then use a tapestry blunt end 

needle to thread no. 5 perle cotton thread/yarn 

(or equivalent gauge soft twine or beading wire) 

through the tiny holes to gather the ends. 

Insert prepared tassel or other “dangles” plus ribbon 

or cord loop before cinching up the top and bottom and tying off. 

Measures approx 4.25” tall x 3.75” diameter when completed 

(separate from tassel and loop, etc.). 

Additional embellishments can include wooden 

or glass beads, metal bead end cups, etc. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Cut the card stock paper shapes
for this design: 3 pleat panels

2. Begin by bending the tab end perforations as

"valley" folds, then continue in alternating manner

to fold along all vertical perforations, "mountain",

then "valley", and so forth.

Crease all three panels.

3. Now, because of the nature of the re-directed folds
between the top "half" and the bottom, begin again
at the tab end and re-fold in the opposite direction,
across the width of the panels.
(This image below is shown before the re-folding.)

4. Bend and crease each diagonal (zigzag) perforation
line as "mountain" fold between the vertical 
perforation lines, ONLY . . .

. . . "pinching" at the ends to ensure that the creases
DO extend completely to the intersections.

5. Begin the pleating process at tab end, working

the long perforation line segments to that the VALLEY

folds are the tallest lines, and the MOUNTAIN folds

are the shortest  lines. This will force the re-direction

of the vertical perforation lines at the zigzag lines

(which all remain as MOUNTAIN creases).

This illustration, below, shows that the VALLEY folds

extend to the inward side of the angled zigzag creases,

creating the pointing arrows, while the MOUNTAIN folds

are what the arrows are pointing at after a fashion.

This picture may also help to show where the first VALLEY
fold is, and then . . .

. . . how the alternating pattern continues.

6. Continue across the panel, "gathering" the pleats
on each side of the zigzag center, assisting the re-directing
of the folds and the pleating proceeds.

Here is the completely pleated panel.

7. Compress the folds firmly (the shape will form
this inverted 'V' shape), and apply fingertip pressure
to assist all the pleats to extend at the intersections.

8. Unfold the panels, arrange the three panels
end to end to align the tabs end with the straight plain
side edges, opposite, then overlap the straight edge
over tabs to foldline, adjust for alignment, 
then glue each half in place.

9. Form the panel assembly into a tube to align

adjust and glue the final side seam.

(NOTE if it is easier to work with, the final seam can

be left unglued until after the gather stitching is in place,

as was shown with the Large Sphere ornament, HERE -

refer to steps 9 & 10.)

10. Thread a tapestry needle of fine enough gauge to
pass easily through the threading holes with a 36" length 
of no.5 perle cotton or equivalent gauge soft twine . . .

. . . and tie a stop knot at single tail end.

11. Choose a pleat to begin at, then pass the needle
"down" through the hole on right side of pleat
and "up" through the hole on the left side of pleat.
Continue in the same manner around the circuit,
ending after the last empty stitching hole has been
threaded on. Leave a tail and trim away from yarn
that remains in the needle at about the halfway point,
or around 18" left; tie a stop knot at end of first circuit
(to prevent un-stitching).
12. Tie new end stop know, then repeat the stitching
through holes along the opposite edge.

13. Prepare a tassel and bead array with hanging loop
or hook, if and as desired, and pass it through center
of the ornament tube.

14. Tie single overhand knot inch up yarn ends at bottom 
pleating as tightly as possible, then secure with second
overhand know (to create a square or granny knot).
Trim to leave short tails, then tuck into the interior.
15. Repeat step 14 for the top end. Apply glue to
secure that the beads attach to the bicone and hide
the gathers circle opening, as desired. 

Here is the completed ornament.