As you may have seen over on Instagram, last week I shared a paper chain making tutorial to IGTV. Sharing a video (especially one that I am in) is completely out of my comfort zone but I have to say, I really enjoyed making it and today I uploaded it to YouTube. The perfectionist in me is devastated that the layout isn’t great once over on a different app, in future I’ll probably film two versions to try and fill the screen of both. I’m also hoping that in the future, the accompanying blog post will come at the same time as the video.
But the good thing about sharing it on YouTube is that I can now also share it on my blog. So here it is, in case you ever want to refer back to it.
To make the paper chains, you will need
8 sheets of 100 gsm wrapping paper (you will only use a small section of each sheet so you will need a minimum of 3 full sheets if you aren’t bothered about mixing several designs)
Coccoina glue (or prit stick)
scissors
a pencil
a ruler ( ideally one that measure 2.5cm wide and 30cm long)
If you don’t have a ruler that is 2.5cm wide you may want to start by making a template to draw around.
Here’s how to make one link
Draw two identical rectangles measuring 2.5cm wide and 21.5cm long.
Measure down 2cm from one end and draw a line at 90 degrees 1.5cm in towards the centre
Then draw a 1cm line at 90 degress towards the end of the strip - this should create an L shape
Do the same on the other side, starting from the opposite edge (as seen in the picture)
Carefully cover the plain side of one of the strips with glue.
Then press the plain side of the other strip onto it, smoothing it down, in a curved shape as you go.
Then cut into the L shaped lines you drew and fasten the strip together so it dries in a looped shape
Once you have done this, you can just keep making as many as your paper allows. I have found that 40 works well, giving you a 2 meter chain to decorate with.
The biggest benefit to this design is that you can take it apart to store it and bring it back out again any time you are decorating for a celebration. You can also add to it whenever you have some scraps of a pretty new paper in your home, adding memories from festivities to it over the years.
I hope you have fun spending an afternoon crafting.
Warmest wishes
Amy