Paper Wheel Tutorial
When I began the designing process of my son's Sesame Street 1st Birthday I knew I wanted to decorate the dessert table with some paper wheels. I really love the look of them and the pop they add to a party.
Because they were such a hit I decided to add a tutorial on how to make them. I know these are pretty easy and common sense to most crafters but when I first started making them I had a hard time trying to figure out a few tips and tricks to really get them to stay and work. From the glue to the size etc. I just wish I had someone to give me the how to. So for everyone out there that are not very experienced in making paper wheels this is for you!
The ones I made are about 8.5 inches wide since I used 8.5x11 paper. But you can also make bigger ones, use pattern paper, trim the edges to make points or rounded edges etc.
Here is the step by step process below:
The supplies that you will need: 2 pieces of 8.5x11 paper, a small piece of scratch paper, hot glue gun, and a paper cutter.
First cut your paper in half, length wise to make 4 sheets of 4.25x11
Begin to accordion fold your sheets of paper. I do a 1 inch fold and just eye ball it.
You want the folds to be as close to the same size as possible.
I also use something to help push down the edges so I do not have to use my fingers, especially when using heavy cardstock like this.
It should start to look like this
Now you need to take the ends of each piece and line them up so they all meet like in the picture above.
Add hot glue
Then press the two ends together.
Continue to glue all the ends together.
Once they are all glued you should have a long accordion.
Now take the two ends and bring together and glue them.
Now put it onto its edge and push down against a surface to make it pop out into the wheel shape.
This will usually try to pop back up so you want to use your scrap paper to hold the wheel together.
Determine what side you would like to be the back and add the scrap piece of paper with hot glue to the center hole.
Hold for a minute to dry.
I found that in the front of the wheel the paper would still pull apart even with the piece on the back.
I then add a good amount of hot glue into this hole from the front then push the paper wheel together to get the center like in the picture below.
Some people add a contrasting circle on the front as well to hold it and to cover the center to give it more color and/or a different look.
The completed Paper Wheel
The Paper Wheels at my son's birthday
Thanks for visiting,
Nichole
returning the love from Glued To My Crafts (YAY for new bloggy friends) I have to say I envy you and this tutorial. I tried to make these awhile back and got mad at the paper and threw them at the wall. Might have to give them another try. I love the look of them
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting and the follow! AND thank you for telling me your story about these. I was skeptical about posting this. To most crafty people this is obvious, but like you when I first made them I was getting so frustrated! So I am hoping this helps someone out there!
DeleteHi! I am stopping by from your Pumpkin Princess link at Positively Splendid (which is absolutely adorable). Anyways, I am enjoying checking out some of your other posts and must say that I too am a big fan of paper wheels! I made several small ones out of crepe paper streamers for my daughter's Very Hungry Caterpillar Party and glued them on skewers for paper flowers.
ReplyDeleteYou've got some great things on your blog and am now following via GFC. I cant wait to see what you share next!
thebeansproutnotes.blogspot.com
Thank you for coming by and your follow! I just went and saw your party and that was SO cute! I love the Caterpillar krispies that you made and those paper flower skewers were so cute! I am now a follower of your blog too. I loved seeing all your crafty tutorials and cannot wait to see more!
DeleteHi Nichole, I really like the fan circles. I've got a lot of paper that I've been meaning to have a just an evening of fan folding and gluing. Thanks for following and thanks for your tutorial! Cute birthday theme!
ReplyDeleteJoAnn
Thank you JoAnn!
DeleteAbsolutely adorable!! Thanks for the tutorial :)
ReplyDeleteShannon @ Sewing Barefoot
These are wonderful! My daughter's birthday party is coming up - I'm going to have to add these to the decor! Found you at Live. Laugh. Rowe's blog party, and am excited to be following now... hope you can visit soon!
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
-Heather
stringtownhome.blogspot.com
Thank you Heather for coming by and following! I really appreciate the support! I am glad that you like these and are going to make some. They are a lot of fun and add so much to the decor.
DeleteNichole
I made these with my preschoolers, except they were really big. They were meant to be spring flowers, but I used fall colors for this time of year. The kids loved them!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds so cute! There really is a lot you can do with them.
DeleteThose turned out so cute! Thanks for stopping by my blog. I look forward to following and reading more of yours! Happy Monday!
ReplyDeletexo,
Karen
Thank you Karen!
DeleteHow bright and cute!! Great job!
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining my blog and I'm your newest follower here with GFC and on FB, too! Have a great day!
Kristy @ Shona Skye Creations
http://shonaskye.blogspot.com
Thank you Kristy!
DeleteVery bright - looks so pretty! Thanks for stopping by Alderberry Hill, following you now as well!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely blog! I am your newest follower and would love it if you would stop on by my blog and return the favor!
ReplyDeletewww.enjoyingtheepiphany.com
Thanks!
Sarah
Thank you for stopping by! I am a follower of yours as well!
DeleteNichole
Hello Nichole!Thanks for following The Family Fun Spot! I love your blog, you are so creative! Will visit often ;-)
ReplyDeleteI forgot to mention, I am following you back ;-)
ReplyDeleteThank you Vivian!
DeleteThanks for the follow, following back! Nice paper wheels!
ReplyDeleteFollowing back from Diary Of A BF Mama! Love the decor! I might have to use this idea, thanx for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThat was a fabulous post and tutorial. I honestly never knew how people made those cute little folded circles! NOW I KNOW! I'm your newest follower! And I'm from California too! Modesto... rainy today and I'm loving it!!! Have a wonderful week! Jules
ReplyDeleteThank you! I have always loved them and never really knew how to make them until I sat down and tried and had to try and try again many times to get it right! Glad you enjoyed it!
DeleteHI Nicole...I love you blog's name...I also made these paper wheels for my daughter's birthday party....I just love the bright colors of your wheels...may be I'll use them for my son's party next time. Following you now..hope you'll be able to stop by @http://homekidsandcrafts.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteThank you! I am your newest follower now and I love your Halloween decorations. We did a similar door but ours is Frankenstein, although I dont have the green door.. lol
DeleteOh how perfectly fun!!!
ReplyDeleteAloha,
Following ya now from Monday Mingle and lovin' it. If you are up for a bit of a ride come join me as we ride the wave of life at localsugarhawaii.com-- guaranteed to be filled with ups and downs and everything in between and I'd love to have you with us.
xoxo,
Nicole
localsugarhawaii.com
Hi Nicole. Thank you for the follow! Love your blog.. If only I could be in Hawaii!!
DeleteThe pinwheels are so fun! Great tutorial! I'm your newest follower! I also have a link party on Wednesdays if you want to stop by and link up tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the invite! I will add it to my list and come by tomorrow for sure. Thank you for the follow as well.
DeleteThanks for the tutorial! I've been wanting to make some of these! I'm pinning this for sure!!
ReplyDeleteNew follower from the CHQ Blog hop!
Anna @ Bean Bug Crafts
Thanks for the follow and stopping by to visit. I am a follower of yours as well now.
DeleteNichole
Cute! I love how colorful it is! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteCute and thanks for stopping by The Ease of Freeze! I am your newest follower!
ReplyDeleteHi Nichole!! Those turned out great!!! thanks for dropping by and leaving such a sweet comment. I am your newest follower :) Take care!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Glad to have you here!
DeleteLove these paper wheels, just followed you back ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteHi Nichole! What a great party idea! Love how they turned out. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and following. I'm happily following you back.
ReplyDeleteTuula :)
Thank you very much! Glad to have you here.
DeleteHi Nichole :D Just stopping by to return the follow! Your paper wheels are so neat - I'll have to remember these for decorations at our next party.
ReplyDeleteJess
http://ellaandharry.blogspot.ca
Thank you!
DeleteThese look so great and they seem super easy to make! Thanks for the tutorial, and thanks for following my blog! I'm your newest follower. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the visit and follow!
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