Paper snowflakes are an easy way to decorate your home for the holidays. They can even stay up all winter long. Paper snowflakes are easy to make and can be made using white computer paper that makes them a very budget friendly option for holiday decor.
I used my new found paper snowflake making knowledge, along with some unique yarn and Aleene’s Tacky Dot Roll of adhesive glue dots to make it look like it is snowing in my dining room. No sewing involved.
How to Make Paper Snowflakes and Hang Them
I have seen a similar version of this paper snowflakes window treatment on Pinterest, but they require you to sew the snowflakes together on a machine or use fishing line to connect them. Way too hard – right now I can’t even find my sewing machine under all the holiday decorations I hauled down from my attic.
Recently I was at the fabric store to buy some supplies for another project when I saw this yarn. It is called Pomp-a-Doodle by Red Heart or Spark a Doodle. It grabbed my attention. It was so unique – so I bought a skein. I do not know how to knit, but knew I would find a use for it someday.
I made the no-sew paper snowflakes and hung them using the yarnand Aleene’s Tacky Dot Roll of Adhesive Dots. They are like hot glue, but are all ready to use. Paper crafters and scrap bookers use them often.
The glu make doing any project that requires glue of some sort –neat and easy! The best part – no glue gun burns or glue residue strings on your projects. I used the large size Tacky Dots to hang my snowflakes, but Aleene’s also makes small ones.
How to Make a Paper Snowflake
I have tried for many years to make the perfect snowflake and have never had success, until now. I found a great snowflake making pattern diagram on Pinterest and I have become a “pretty” snowflake maker overnight.
This folding technique is for every snowflake. The different shapes and designs happen when you cut into the folded paper triangle. To make different sizes use different size paper or cut the folded triangle down in size before cutting a design into it. I used plain 8-1/2” x 11” white copy paper to make my snowflakes.
1. You need a square piece of paper for a perfect snowflake. To make it fold your paper as shown. Cut off the section that is not overlapped.
2. Open up the paper and refold into a rectangular shape.
3. Find the center folded bottom edge and fold one side over from center mark.
4. Repeat on the other side – making sure all the edges are lined up.
5. Fold it over matching up edges.
6. Cut off the excess paper from the top to create a straight line making sure all the top edges are the same and you have a neat little triangle. Trim more if necessary to make sure everything is even.
7. Follow one of the designs in the diagram below and cut your folded paper using a sharp pair of scissors.
8. Carefully open it up. Voila! A pretty snowflake.
How to Cut the Design into Folded Paper to Create a Snowflake
Once the paper is folded. Hold the paper triangle as shown in the diagram below. Cut following the patterns to create different snowflakes. Once I got the hang of it – I was creating my own designs and not using this as a guide anymore.
How to Hang Paper Snowflakes In Front of a Window
1. Once you have all of your snowflakes cut out, press them with a medium temperature iron to remove some of the fold lines.
2. On the more intricate snowflakes, I used a fabric napkin as a pressing cloth so I would not damage any of the details on the snowflakes.
3. Once the snowflakes were all pressed, I gathered them, the yarn, and Aleene’s Tacky Dots and began to assemble the snowflakes to hang.
I found it was easier to attach the snowflakes to the pom-poms on the yarn when the yarn was hanging from the window. I mounted a tension rod to my window and tied 3 pieces of yarn from it that were the length of my window.
I spread the pieces across the window so the snowflakes would be centered in the window panes. You could add as many as you want to fill up your window.
I figured out where I wanted each snowflake to go and lined them up with the pom-poms on each piece of yarn. I attached a Tacky Dot on the snowflake where it would meet the pom pom. I found it easier to attach the dots to the snowflakes first and then the pom poms. I did a few where I attached the Tacky Dot to the pom-pom first, but it was harder to remove the Tacky Dot from the clear paper strip the Tacky Dot’s come on.
If using regular yarn: The pom-poms on the pom-pom yarn I used are spaced about 4-inches apart. If you are using regular yarn, make a knot in the yarn every 4 inches and use the knot as the place to add the glue dot to.
The directions say not to touch the dots with your hands as they may lose a little bit of their stickiness. I simply unrolled the strip of dots as I worked down each piece of yarn hanging from the window. I pressed the dot to the back of each snowflake and then rubbed over the clear sheet and then peeled the sheet away from the Tacky Dot. I then pressed the dot on the snowflake to a pom-pom. Most of the Tacky Dots came off very easily.
I positioned the snowflakes so there was at least one or two pom-poms on each snowflake. It was quite easy and took me less than 10 minutes for each window – I did two windows with the hanging snowflakes. This photo shows the pom-pom is centered on the back of the snowflake.
Here you can see there are 3 pom-poms. I used a Tacky Glue Dot on each pom- pom.
I made Trax a little something to play with so he would leave me alone when I was hanging the snowflakes.
For more holiday decorating ideas, click on over to my holiday project gallery where you will find many affordable DIY holiday decorating ideas just like this Paper Snowflake Curtain.
Click here —-> Holiday Project Gallery
Jodie says
01/14/2019 at 6:32 amHi Diana. Thank you for sharing your detailed tutorial for this lovely window dressing. I have included it in our Top 10 in Crafts inspiration for Winter. https://craftylikegranny.com/winter-crafts/ Cheers Jodie :)
Monika Tarry says
11/17/2017 at 10:15 amHello. I just want to say a huge thank you for the most brilliant tutorial on snowflakes. I’m from UK and managed to find alternatives to your handy products . Can’t wait for them to arrive so I can get started!
Thank you for the time and effort you have put into this excellent post!
Sydney says
12/01/2015 at 7:31 pmIt didnt work…
Diane Henkler says
12/01/2015 at 10:39 pmWhen I tried making my first snowflake the same thing happened to me. I know it seems confusing, but try again and make sure the paper is folded correctly and you are cutting into the folded edge.
Sydney says
12/01/2015 at 7:30 pmGreat tutorial, But when I made the snowflake, It ended up in 5 seperate peices, but Im not sure what I did wrong, although some of the folding was confusing. Anyways, Great tutorial and I’m sure I’ll get it right! Merry Christmas!
Lesley Gilbert says
09/08/2015 at 8:17 amI just found your tutorial on Pinterest – thanks for a good explanation :)
Liz says
12/03/2014 at 9:29 amWas thinking of doing this the week of Xmas with my high school students to decorate our classroom for winter and the next semester by hanging them from the ceiling tiles. Do you have any more patterns?
Diane Henkler says
12/03/2014 at 12:36 pmHi Liz – I do not have any other patterns, but if you check on Pinterest I am sure you will find many.
Charise says
11/27/2014 at 10:44 amThis is beautiful. Thanks a lot for the detailed instructions!
morgan says
11/06/2014 at 6:25 pmthey discontinued the pom pom yarn :( would love to do this for my daughter frozen themed party this month
Diane Henkler says
11/08/2014 at 6:18 pmHi Morgan – I just did a search on Google. It is being sold on ebay for $6.29. I put “Spark a Doodle yarn” into the search bar and a few came up.
Shelly Robinson says
12/13/2013 at 12:14 pmHi Diane,
Thank you so much for the step by step tutorial. You’re paper snowflake curtain is beautiful & you’ve made it so simple that you’ve inspired me to make some too. Since the forecast isn’t calling for snow until 17 December where I live, I can bring it early with your shared project :)
[email protected] says
11/19/2013 at 10:46 pmHi Diane!
I hope you get this comment. I was just looking back at my Christmas pin board and this was one of the very first Pins in there.
I actually MADE these!! BEFORE I was a blogger. Before I’d ever even read a blog! I saw it on Pinterest. It must have been the same winter that you blogged this. I LOVED this project!
When ever I see this Pin – I think I’m looking at a picture of my kitchen – mine looked JUST like yours!
Thanks for the inspiration – glad I finally realized who made them!!
-Breida
Diane Henkler says
11/20/2013 at 9:49 amHi Breida – I agree with you – they are one of my fave holiday decorations. They are so classic and go with everything, plus a little magical! When I take them down every year, I carefully store the entire curtain – rods and all in between two pieces of cardboard, I will be putting them up again right after Thanksgiving. I think I may even make a few more for my studioffice this year.
Rachel says
11/10/2012 at 4:54 amThanks so much for such lovely clear detailed instructions…!
Debbie says
10/08/2012 at 1:37 pmGreat tutorial, and fantastic results! I found this on Pinterest and will be pinning it for myself to do in a month or so. Love the look…and will go wonderful with my snowman collection!
Thanks so much
Debbie :)
Angel says
01/04/2012 at 9:53 amLate in posting this but I did this in both of my kitchen windows for the holidays! My 8 yo daughter loved cutting out the snowflakes and it looked great. Thank you for the great idea and tutorial. We had tons of compliments at our Christmas Eve party (my daughter was beaming :) )
Jane says
12/23/2011 at 7:05 amthanks so much this site is FANTASTIC!!!! made my day!!!
Kim @ Cheap Chic Home says
12/18/2011 at 4:52 pmThis is such a neat idea, Diane. It would be great for kids. I saw that same yarn and wondered what I could do with it. Hugs, Kim
Laura Ingalls Gunn says
12/12/2011 at 11:30 amWow! You are a Christmas crafting genius! So glad I found you via Centsational Girl.
Please stop by for a visit to my blog. I am currently in the midst of a Gifts to Make series.
Be Merry and Bright!
Bonnie says
12/11/2011 at 4:57 pmI am totally going to make these !!! Originally from Colorado (lots of snow!), I moved to Australia 14 years ago (no snow !) and though I don’t miss the cold … I do miss the beautiful snow flakes !! This is such a great idea.
Putting spark-a-doodle on my shopping list !!
Sistergirl says
12/11/2011 at 3:24 pmOh I am going to try that. I love the look of simple snowflakes.
Lauren says
12/10/2011 at 10:46 pmI am SO excited about this! Duh, never thought to actually find patterns for making nice snowflakes! Thanks for this idea — can’t wait to give it a try to dress up my bay window!
Tausha says
12/10/2011 at 12:44 pmI love this! So simple and darling. My kind of craft. I would have never thought to use a tension rod-you are a genius! Plus-no sewing-you are my kind of crafter.
Thanks so much for the inspiration!
Tausha
sassystyleredesign.blogspot.com
Julie says
12/09/2011 at 4:21 pmI really love it–so clever with the yarn. Consider yourself pinned. :)
Alexa says
12/09/2011 at 2:22 pmBTW… We featured your project on our FB page. Please like us and check it out if you haven’t already! facebook.com/lovetocreate
Alexa says
12/09/2011 at 2:19 pmGreat finished project and excellent tutorial!! I learned how to make snowflakes from tissue paper from a substitute teacher in 2nd grade. Her name was Mrs. Overby. I always love the magic in the end result!! Thanks so much for playing with our Aleene’s Tacky adhesives. You have a great finished project!!
Condo Blues says
12/09/2011 at 10:34 amI like the added detail of pom pom yarn. From your kitty’s face, he likes it too!
Billie says
12/08/2011 at 11:24 pmHi Diane,
I really enjoyed making these snowflakes tonight. After a long, hard day, it was nice to come home and make something so simple beautiful. Your creativity is boundless. I love your blog and look forward to your posts. You’ve become one of my “daily read” decorating blogs.
Have a wonderful holiday season. And I love your new dog-adorable and fun to see how she reacts to her new surroundings.
Kristin says
12/08/2011 at 1:57 pmHi Diane,
I wanted to know where you got those templates for the snowflakes. I can’t seem to find it on that link you provided. Everything is in another language and it has me a bit confused! Help please!! :)
Toni says
12/08/2011 at 6:46 amJust beautiful, Diane- I love that the snowflake window treatment can stay up through the winter.
Jolene says
12/08/2011 at 3:19 amThank you so much for this tutorial! We are missionaries in Ukraine, and I am always looking for something special to do with my kids. Since this is a third world country, we do not have a lot available to us, but everyone has paper and scissors! LOL!
Thanks for the great tutorial!
[email protected] Ms Smartie Pants says
12/08/2011 at 12:36 amok, I saw that yarn in fall colors and bought it just to roll up. Just yesterday I looked at it and thought I wonder if it comes in white! And I love this look, I may need to find a place to add it!
Kylie says
12/07/2011 at 8:43 pmThis is great. I have a pile of snowflakes I just cut and was working out how to hang them. I’m not keen on fishing wire either. Don’t know if I can get what you used here in Asutralia, but I’ll work something out.
Thanks Kylie
Funky Junk Interiors says
12/07/2011 at 2:09 pmWow, beautiful! I had NO idea there was an actual art to making them this nice. Great tutorial!
Donna