Accent Leaves Fan Fold and Sculpt Fold

 

Simple concept and quick prep create any of these 

stylized leaves for seasonal table setting accent, 

as part of a napkin ring sprig, to decorate a gift package, 

or as a pick for floral arrangement. 

The left two leaves begin as “engineered” triangles 

which are fan-folded, then center edges are brought together 

and joined to create a plain or serrated edge oval leaf. 

The right pair have center perforated folds, plus three angled fold lines 

on each half create a “low relief” dimensional, 

plain or serrated edge oval leaf. 

For all, a small base end “backer” shape assists with 

glue-attaching a wrapped heavy gauge floral wire. 

Leaves measures approx. 4.125” tall at center x 2” wide.

Fan fold leaves are approx. .5" deep.

 Mix and match any of the folded leaves in this collection. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A fan fold plain edge main shape

B bottom end base backer

C fan serrated edge main shape

D bottom end base backer

E sculpt fold plain edge main shape

F  bottom end base backer

G sculpt fold serrated edge main shape

H bottom end base backer

Also prepare a 3" heavy gauge stem.

(Sample stems are silver wire wrapped with

brown florist tape.)

For reference, the metallic decorative papers used

in the models shown here were purchased at

Hobby Lobby, as shown below. NOTE that they

are lighter weight than regular cardstock,

somewhat lighter than 65 lb. which makes the folding

and shaping easier.

* * * The fan fold style will be explained first.

Sculpt fold style begins in step 7 ***

FAN FOLD LEAVES

2. Begin at the straight wide edge to bend back

the edge flanges. Then . . .

. . . bend the top section forward in fan folding action.

3. Continue to alternate back folding with forward

folding through the remaining perf line sequence.

Set the creases by pressing firmly and thoroughly

along folded edges of the stack.

At the bottom section, locate the split and make sure

the halves are separated at the line.

4. Bend the stack at the center perforation lines

that are stacked to bring the top edge flanges

together.

Apply quick-grab adhesive such as the Fabri-Tack

glue shown here along one of the flanges, then . . .

. . . bend then together to fully touch and join.

Use fingertips along the full length of the seam,

with special care at the tip to hold in place until 

fully joined.

5. At the base tip, the split will allow the dimensional

transition to happen with less stress at the first folds.

However, pulling the split edges together as much

as possible will also help with create

the characteristic leaf shape.

Turn the leaf face side down, then apply quick-grab

glue to the bottom segment halves fully to 

bottom edge. Then immediately . . .

. . . place the reversed backer shape (bent on line) 

face-together behind the leaf. Line up the bottom edges 

of both, working to ease the split center edges to come

together as closely as possible. This easing together

will force the first couple of folds to arch, which is

the desired effect, but the dimensional shape

will resist.

6. Add glue between the leaf backside

and the backer, then . . .

. . . insert the prepared 3" wire stem through the

bottom hole that is above the bottom segment

and slide through so that approx. 1" is behind leaf.

Immediately spread the lower folds outward to

slightly expand and amplify the leaf roundness,

while also securing the stem in place.

Here is the completed plain edge fan fold leaf

as part of a napkin ring sprig.

Shown here is the serrated fan fold leaf.

SCULPT FOLD LEAVES

7. For understanding about the simple folding used

to create this low-dimension leaf,

become familiar with the direction of

the folds at the cut perforation lines shown here.

8. Begin by bending and folding the center lengthwise

fold as a "mountain" fold, folding sides back. Crease

9. Next, begin at the top of the leaf to bend on

top-most diagonal line on each side to bend along . . .

. . . the perf line as "mountain" fold, ending the crease

at the center line - NOT beyond!

10. Repeat for the second pair of diagonal lines,

except bend the lines as "valley" folds.

11. Repeat the bending and creasing for the bottom

pair of diagonal lines, creasing as "mountain" folds.

12. The center perf line will need to be re-bent as

"valley" folds - sometimes this happens almost

automatically while the diagonal bending and creasing

is being accomplished. If not, carefully work these

segments to re-bend as described.

Help to lock in the bends by accordion-condensing

the shape as shown here, until . . .

. . . the leaf is configured as shown here.

Lock in ALL creases by pressing firmly 

on fold edges. Then . . .

. . . unfold to present the sculpt folded leaf.

13. Prepare the backer by bending as "mountain" fold.

This is a preview of where the backer shape will go

so you can gauge where the glue can extend.

Apply adhesive along the center "trough" then

position top 1" or so of wrapped stem in place

where adhesive has been applied, and hold to secure.

Add glue to backside edges of backer, then position

to enclose stem, with bottom edges matched . . .

. . . and hold to secure in place.

Here is the plain sculpt fold leaf as part of

a napkin ring sprig.

Here is the serrated edge sculpt fold leaf.