I’ve received so many emails asking me how I made the backdrop for my little girl’s shabby chic 3rd birthday party, I decided to throw a quick tutorial together to show you how.
It’s so simple, after I show you you’re going to look at me like, “that’s it?” 🙂
Supplies needed:
Coordinating paper (Cardstock is harder to fold, so I just used regular paper)
Double-sided tape
Scissors
Hot glue gun
Step 1. Take your coordinating paper, and fold it accordian style.
Make sure you do it length-wise. Here’s what it should look like when you’re done. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect, this project is pretty forgiving. 🙂
Step 2: Fold the paper in half.
Step 3: Put some tape on along the inside of the fold, and press the two sides together.
This is the point where, if you want rounded edges, just cute the top in a semi-circle.
Your paper with look like a fan when you open it back up.
Do the same thing with your other 3 papers. You should have 4 fans altogether.
Feel free to make them all the same pattern or different.
Step 4: Tape all 4 fans together to create one large rosette.
MINI ROSETTES- You will need 1 1/2 pieces of paper. It is just the same as the above tutorial, only you start with half the size of paper.
Step 1: Take a piece of paper and cut it in half.
Step 2: Fold into an accordian.
Step 3: Fold paper in half. Tape together.
Step 4: Tape all 3 fans together to create a tiny rosette.
LARGE ROSETTE – You will need 6 pieces of paper.
Step 1: Fold accordian style.
Step 2: Instead of folding the paper in half, link full-size papers (using the double sided tape) to one another to create one big long chain.
Tape all 6 papers together.
Step 3: Connect both ends together, to create a large circle.
Step 4: Gently press the circle towards the center, your papers will “fan out”.
And voila!
I like to then glue a smaller rosette, or a paper circle on top of the large one using a glue gun. This will hold the large rosette in place.
This is where you can really get creative with any embellishments you want to make.
I then glued all of the rosettes onto a large thick poster board.
When I was cleaning up for my daughter’s birthday party, I loved the backdrop so much I had to find another place for it.
So now it is wall art in her bedroom. 🙂 What do you think?
Have fun creating! And if you don’t have time to DIY it, check out these great ready-made backdrops.
Lacey says
Yeeeees. I have been looking for a tutorial like this ever since I saw your birthday post.
Thank you!
Kari @ Ucreate says
This is beautiful Alysha!!
Missy says
I love it in her bedroom – it would have been a shame to throw it out – it is so pretty!
Stephanie says
Perfect wall art! I’ve made some of these paper fans in the past but made them a little differently – I’m glad you shared your method because it’s much easier than mine was and now I’m re-inspired to make more – Fun!
Shelley says
Oh Alysha. I think I might just need this for every day decor,… no birthday party needed. It’s stunning. Thanks for all the pictures.
Sarah says
This is amazing. I’m super excited to try it out!
pops says
So cute !!!
Renelle Guerra says
I love dis…I am planning to make this but i am not sure where to find the coordinating paper. can someone help me?…I want to buy it online because i am not an American citizen.
kaleen says
I cannot get my large ones to lay down. I’m pretty sure I followed the directions and it only pushes down a little before it rips if I push it all the way down. 🙁 any tips???
alysha says
Hi Kaleen, that happened to me too when I didn’t have enough paper hooked together. I would just trying adding one or two more so it stretches better, and then try it. 🙂
Mindy says
So, so cute!!! Exactly what I hve been looking for, for my daughter’s birthday. How did you get the board to hang?
alysha says
Hi Mindy! I actually got white tacs and just tacked the corners to the wall. 🙂
Katrina says
Where do you find the papers you used for this project?
alysha says
Hi Katrina! I actually got the paper in Michaels. I like to get them in a big booklet, because all the papers included are different, yet they mesh really well together. Hope this helps!
Sherie A. says
I love this project, especially because it fits with the theme for my daughter’s first bday (pinwheels & rosettes) But I wasn’t sure what size papers you used? Is the regular an 8x 11, the small is half of 8 x 11, and the large 12×12?? Please let me know thank you in advance
Sherie A. says
I love this project, especially because it fits with the theme for my daughter’s first bday (pinwheels & rosettes) But I wasn’t sure what size papers you used? Is the regular an 8x 11, the small is half of 8 x 11, and the large 12×12?? Please let me know thank you in advance – Sherie
Sharon says
Thank you for this wonderful tutorial. Very easy to understand. Just made some and oh so cute. I pinned it and it seems like a lot of people feel the same way. Thanks.
Julie V says
I love how big and bold these are. This is a perfect project for the spring weather that I am starting to feel:).
Sheila Moore says
I absolutely love this. I am helping throw a baby shower in a couple weeks and this would be so cute to do for decoration! Thanks for the tutorial!
Rosemary says
This idea would also work with fabric and lace! Thanks for the inspiration.
Kayla says
I love this!!! So very cute, girly, and fun!! Thanks for sharing!
Sandy says
These are beautiful! You make it look so simple, thanks!!!
Ashley says
Darling! Love all the colors too.
charlie says
looooooooove these rosettes and am totally stealing this idea for my daughter’s first birthday!! would you mind sharing where you bought the “thick poster board?” also, do you think this would work if i covered the poster board with burlap using a strong spray adhesive then attached the rosettes or do you think the rosettes would be too heavy and pull off the fabric?? thanks so much for sharing this tutorial!!
Venus says
This is a lovely project, with beautiful photos! I am having trouble getting them to Cather nicely in the middle, any suggestions?
linda McConnell says
Loved your rosettes and especially loved them as wall art!!!!!!
cathi cintorino says
i would like to know the best way to hang these rosettes as they are a little weighty and clumsy… i am making a banner for twins and would like to hang it in the center of their name banner…. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated… your rosettes are beautiful!
Shannon says
Thanks for this post. How wide would you say your folds were 1 inch or 3/4?
Stephanie says
I’m just going to say that there should be a technical term for the shock and delight you feel when something cute you see on Pinterest actually IS as easy to make as it sounds! Excellent directions and such a cute idea!!
Shayla Scates says
Hi Alysha,
Thanks so much for sharing this awesome tutorial! This is stunning!
I recently featured your work on andalltheglory.com, “17 Easy DIY Ideas for Spring,” with a link straight to your tutorial. I hope this is okay!
Thanks again for sharing! This is something I will be doing for my nursery!
Mcclean says
Where did you find the paper?
GINNY HOOVER says
I’ve been trying to figure out how to make the paper rosettes, to no avail. Thank you so much for your tutorial. I can now make any size I want and they all turn out great! I make them for greeting cards which I do for every occasion. I’ve been doing them for over 30 yrs. These rosettes make the cards really stand out and can be used for any ages!!! Thanks again