Inside: We are showing you how to make paper pinwheels!
In just a few weeks I will be sharing a sweet one-year-old’s very special birthday. She will be celebrating under a canopy of glimmering pearls, alongside a fence full of pinwheels. Here is your first glimpse…
The invitations have been handmade with adorable pinwheels on the front and stamped in letters to create an artistic contrast. The stage is easily being set for a lovely afternoon party by sending a strand of plastic pearls to each girl invited.
To make our invitations for Pinwheel and Pearls I perused a few Homemade how-to’s only to find everything quite complicated with intricate templates to trace and patterns to cut. Here is our (incredibly easy to make) version…
How to make a paper pinwheel- a super easy tutorial (a.k.a the mom with twin toddlers version)- use it as a jumping off point for your own invitations or as a simple spring craft to liven up a warm afternoon.
Start with one square of paper. Any size will work, we have been busy making both 2 inch & 12 inch ones.
Cut a diagonal line in towards the center from each of the four points. Do not cut all the way through to the center, stop just before it.
Fold over one corner into the center of the square… Repeat with the other four.
Secure your paper with glue, a button, sticker, flower or even a small shiny pearl. Attach with glue onto a dowel. Use for invitations, for party bunting, or even stick a few in cupcakes to serve as adorable toppers.
How to make paper pinwheels
We wanted our larger pinwheels to actually function and blow in the wind. To make working pinwheels follow the directions above, plus…
Use a small hole punch at the pinwheel corners you will be folding in, also punch a hole in the middle of the square.
Connect the edges together by sliding a kitchen dowel through the lined-up holes. We attached a pearl onto the end of our dowels just for a bit of extra loveliness.
Hot glue the small dowel onto a larger stick, place in the ground and enjoy watching the wind blow through your new pinwheel.
Warning: These are hazardous to your babies attention as they will sit mesmerized by pinwheels for hours.
PS. Here are a few more fun paper DIYs, including this adorable color block paper wreath and paper leaf party garland!
love, love, love!
Thank you! I made this and posted about it here: http://aloadofcraft.blogspot.com/2010/12/birthday-party-ideas.html
I linked up to this post on my blog. Thanks for inspiring (and teaching) me how to make adorable pinwheels. (FYI- the blog post will not be up till tuesday morning)
This is so much easier than I thought it was going to be! Thanks so much for this awesome and very helpful tutorial!
I love how versatile these are! I was looking for a pinwheel tutorial to create some wall art for my son’s new play area and thought your tutorial was one of the easiest to follow. I’m loving the “pearls and pinwheels” birthday theme too! So sweet. :)
I shared this tutorial in a group of things that are giving me inspiration for the play area.
http://thelittlewaffleflower.blogspot.com/2012/03/boys-play-area-ideas.html
Thanks for this easy peasy tut on making pinwheels. I needed something quick and this was incredibly easy and quick. Loved it!!!!!