How to Make Paper Fans

Chinese Paper Fans make great decorations for the Chinese New Year holidays or any Chinese celebration for that matter.

Here's how to make a very simple one in seven easy steps, only need some red and gold paper, a little folding and you have an awesome decorative piece for the holiday!

Make a Paper Fan in Seven Easy Steps

Materials needed:

One sheet red paper
One sheet gold paper
Regular Scissors
Scissors with fun shape (optional)
Glue
Gold gift ribbon, curly ribbon, cord, string or similar

Step 1:

Use the fun shape scissors to trim along the top and bottom edge of the red paper (the longer side of the paper)

Step 2:

Cut two stripes of gold paper using the fun-shaped scissors
Glue the gold stripes to both ends of the red paper, try to keep the same distance from the top and bottom edges

Step 3:

Starting from one end, fold pleats accordion style, about 3/4" apart along the whole length

Step 4:

With pleats together, fold fan in half
Glue the middle together

Step 5:

On the bottom pleat, use the scissors to cut a little knick, with pleat folded to make a tiny hole

Step 6:

Open the pleat and thread a piece of gold ribbon through it.

Step 7:

Fold the pleat back, tie a little bow or knot or use the ribbon for hanging
Your fan is ready!

About Chinese Fans

Chinese fans have been used for centuries. No one really knows how they originated, it could have been something as simple as Chinese farmers using a leaf or something similar to swat the flies that were bothesome then finding out that the motion actually provided some relief from the blistering heat. But, however the practice started, fans did become very popular, not only for gentle breezes or keeping bugs away, but also as a fashion statement. Silk fans and fans made of feathers gave way later on to the fine and delicate sandalwood fans that are so loved by the Chinese today for the gentle scent they give off.

Nowadays, they are also used as decorative pieces.