How to Make a Proper Paper Snowflake

Posted by rebecca

8 Dec

Do your paper snowflakes come out looking like doilies? Do you wish you had the creativity, skill, and expertise to cut out a proper paper snowflake? Keep reading to learn how a prize-winning* snowflake cutter makes it happen.

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1. Fold a square piece of paper in half.

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2. Fold it in half again.

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3. Fold it in thirds, so it looks like this:

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4. Cut the top part off.

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5. Cut out pieces to create your snowflake design. Note that there is very little paper left! Cut nice, skinny lines to create a delicate paper snowflake. Cutting out tiny shapes all over will result in a doilyesque snowflake.

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The finished product!

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Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

*All right, so I never really won a snowflake prize.

Paper snowflakes make the perfect cheap DIY holiday decorations. They work for me! For more Works for Me Wednesday ideas, head on over to We are THAT Family.

Filed under: Eco-crafts, Works for Me Wednesday

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12 Responses for "How to Make a Proper Paper Snowflake"

Carol Kelley December 8th, 2009 at 8:43 am 1
Our house has been decorated with Rebecca’s beautiful snowflakes for years. She really is a master snowflake maker.
Gina December 8th, 2009 at 1:24 pm 2
Rebecca, you make such beautiful snowflakes! I love making DIY Snowflakes around Christmas time. They are cheap to make and look very elegant if you follow your styling advice.
Tara @ Eco Living Tips December 8th, 2009 at 7:17 pm 3
I was just helping my kids make these the other day, however mine came no where near as close to be pretty like yours! I am jealous!
Gina December 8th, 2009 at 8:58 pm 4
You’re right–they do look like doilies, but I love learning how to do it better. Thank you! I’ll do this with the kids tomorrow.
Meghan December 8th, 2009 at 9:07 pm 5
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing your secrets! Mine did look like doilies.
The Prudent Homemaker December 9th, 2009 at 12:12 am 6
I make mine almost the same way, but I haven’t cut them quite as skinny. I’ll have to try that way.
I haven’t won any snowflaks prizes either, but then, I’ve never seen any contests!

My favorite one was one I cut with kissing swans. I’ve tried to reproduce it, but not with any luck. I also did one with a lion and a lamb together that was lots of fun. I gave those to my mother years ago and she laminated them. If she still has them I may be able to look again and get some more ideas, and combine it with your thinner lines.

I just cut a bunch of paper snowflakes to send to a friend; it was lots of fun!
Amber December 9th, 2009 at 7:07 am 7
Wow!! My snowflakes always turn out doily-esque! LOL I will have to show this to my girls, they will love it.
~Amber
rebecca December 9th, 2009 at 10:10 am 8
Oooh, Prudent Homemaker–kissing swans! I will have to try that!
Stephanie - Green SAHM December 9th, 2009 at 1:56 pm 9
Lovely. My oldest daughter is going to have to see this when she gets home from school. She loves cutting out snowflakes.
Melissa Gilbert Kent December 12th, 2009 at 1:09 pm 10
i have admired your paper snowflakes for a long time….since high school!

thanks for sharing your secrets.
nancy December 30th, 2009 at 5:31 pm 11
Your snowflakes are the best ever! I always wondered how you made them look so elegant; thanks for sharing!
ppq December 4th, 2011 at 1:52 am 12
I like to flatten mine with a warm (not hot) iron.