Disc Pleated 3D Ornament

Select lighter weight card stock or heavier weight 

printed paper. Perforations define the pleating folds 

to complete the accordion fan-folds of this disc-shaped 

ornament for holiday or seasonal decor. 
OVERVIEW:

Bend, crease, then shape three panels; join end seams 

to create a tube. Fold the ends inward to form the disc profile, 

then use a tapestry blunt end needle to thread 

no. 5 perle cotton thread/yarn or soft twine through the tiny holes 

along each edge to gather pleats to achieve final size 

and shape; tie off and hide ends. 

Cover the cinch gather center hole with miniature layered 

poinsettia blossom (or other decoration of choice). 

Add wire, ribbon or cord loop through center top hand holes. 

Measures approx .875” thick x 3.875” diameter. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:
2 lower side pleat panels
1 top center pleat panel (with holes)
1-2 sets of flower petals and leaf

2. Bend and crease each of the pleat panels,

beginning at the side tab end and bending tabs back

(mountain fold).

3. Continue along the vertical perforation lines to bend and
crease in alternating direction, valley, then mountain,
then valley and so forth, across the entire panel.

4. Slightly bend and crease along the diagonal
perf lines, first in one direction, and then going back
to crease along the opposite diagonal perf lines.
Also crease the one-unit wide diagonal perforations
on each end.

5. Prepare to pleat the panel (working from the non-tab

end as shown) to bend the side portions down and inward,

allowing the panel's "fan pleats" to be drawn together  . . .

. . . while encouraging the short center perforation within 
the center "diamond" lines to re-direct in a downward depression
- in opposite direction to the extended fan pleat line folding. 
Then gather and condense the fan pleats together 
one by one across . . .

. . . the width of the panel. Press and crease the stacked
perforation lines well, especially at the intersections
along the center diamonds.

The end profile of the pleated panel will have
the appearance of a tall tent as shown here.

6. Note that the top center panel has center punch holes
for eventual insertion of the hanging loop.

7. Open the pleat panels, prepare and join the side seams,

with the straight plain end edge of one panel overlapping

the tabs of the opposite end of adjacent panels, with

ends and intersections accurately aligned, then glue seam.

8. Form the flexible panel length into a ring to
align and complete the final side seam.

9. Cut a 36-40 inch length of no. 5 perle cotton yarn

or soft twine and thread one end through the finest

tapestry needle that will comfortably pass through

the pleat panel stitching holes.

10. Tie a "stop knot" onto one thread end, then . . .

. . . select a beginning spot away from the hang holes

and begin the down-up "stitching" through the pairs

of holes at the mountain folds . . .

. . . all along one edge of the joined panel . . .

. . . until the complete circuit has been made.

Trim, leaving a tail (cut at the halfway length of original

yarn length), and tie overhand knot between pleat fold.

Also tie a stop knot at the new end to keep the yarn

from coming loose.

11. Repeat this threading process on the other edge,

remove the needle, tie knot, and stop knot.

12. Cinch each threaded length up carefully to
the tightest possible, and complete the overhand knot,
turning it into a secure square or granny knot to hold cinching.

13. Trim stop knots off, thread the end through

the center opening in opposite directions (so knots and 

short tails are left inside the "tunnel"). Apply glue to help secure

the knots and tails inside the tunnel.

When glue is dry, trim the tails excess close to surface.

14. Thread length of the hanging loop of choice 
through the top punch holes and tie ends together
at desired hanging length.

15. Add curl to the petals if desired, then layer from

largest (bottom) to smallest on top with center punch holes

aligned. Pivot to offset the petals of each layer

as desired, then secure with a dab of glue at center.

Position the leaf whorl underneath, pivoting to
have the leaves exposed between other petals
as preferred, and secure with a dab of glue.

16. Position and attach a blossom unit onto the front

and back (if desired), centering over the cinch ring.

Add and glue in place a mini brad through center.

Ball 3D Pleated Small Diamonds

Select lighter weight card stock or heavier weight 

printed paper. Perforations define the pleats 

to complete the accordion diamonds and 

fan-fold ends of this pointed spherical 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 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. 3” tall x 3.75” middle 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 three pleat panels.

2. Begin the creasing by starting at side edge with

tabs, then bend and crease along the vertical 

perforation lines to form "VALLEY" bends.

3. Continue to bend and crease the next perforation
line as a "MOUNTAIN" fold.
Continue to alternate VALLEY and MOUNTAIN folds
across the full width of the panel.

Compress the panel folds and apply fingertip pressure
to "lock" down the creases.

4. Bend and crease along the diagonal perforation segments,
allowing the creasing to happen between the vertical 
perforation line intersections ONLY. Begin with
the short line segments at one end of panel, then . . .

. . . continue in same manner to bend and crease on
diagonal lines that extend across TWO vertical spaces,
taking particular care to "pinch" the end intersections
to ensure that creases extend as far as they should,
but no further.
5. Repeat the diagonal folds for the opposite SLANT
diagonal perforation lines.

6. Begin the pleating at the tab side end, gathering

the pleats on each side into their compressed form . . .

. . . and assisting the short center line segment fold
to be re-directed to fold opposite the MOUNTAIN folds
on each side, allowing it to 'POP' downward.

7. Continue to gather the pleats with fingers of both hands . . .

. . . one set at a time, until . . . 

. . . all of the pleats are stacked into a sort of tent shape
as shown here.

Apply fingertip pressure along the edges of the stack
to lock down the creases and ensure that they are complete
especially at the intersections.
Complete the creasing and pleating of all 3 panels.

8. Open the panels flat, then arrange so that the plain
straight side edge of one panel overlap the opposite
panel's side edge tabs. Join two seams.
(NOTE: it is possible to join all three seams at this point
in the assembly, if desired, though this may make it
more awkward to complete the threading.)

9. Thread a 36" length of no. 5 perle cotton or equivalent

soft twine onto a tapestry needle of fine enough gauge

to allow it to fit through the threading holes.

Tie a stop knot at the single yarn end.

10. Begin at one end to insert the needle "down" through
first hole on right side of pleat then "up" through next hole,
continuing in the same down/up manner across the width
of the pleated panel. At the end, cut the yarn at about
the 18" or halfway point and tie a stop knot to prevent
the stitching from coming loose.
11. Repeat the process to thread the other edge.

12. Form the panel assembly into a ring or tube

to bring the side edge and tabs together, align,

and glue the final side seam.

13. If desired, prepare a tassel array to place

through the center of the sphere. One way to

accomplish this is to purchase home decorating tassel

trim (by the yard). 

A) Separate the tassels by cutting

halfway between two tassels.

B) pull the assembly chain stitching to remove

the structure and allow the yarn loops the be free.

C) arrange the yarn lengths to pull away from the tassel.

D) the yarn ends can be inserted through a bead with
large opening, or as with the sample project, a fine hole
bead is being used, so one continuous thread is separated
from the others, then preserved in place while . . .
. . . remainder
are pulled free from the threaded bead.

The fine yarn pairs were then threaded through
the selected bead.

For the sample project, the yarns were long enough
to thread through a bead cap, through the center length
of the pleated tube, then through another cap and bead, etc.

14. Tie an overhand single knot with the cinching yarns

at the bottom edge, then pull up as tightly as possible

to close the cinch hole to smallest, then tie second

overhand knot to complete the square or granny knot

to hold cinching in place securely. Trim ends to have

short tails, then tuck inside the tube. 

Secure with dab of glue.

15. Repeat the cinching and tying off at the top end

in same manner.

16. Attach hang loop if not already included
in the dangle array.
Apply glue to secure that the beads attach to the sphere 
and hide the gathers circle opening, as desired.
Here is the completed ornament.