How to Make Waldorf Stars for Your Windows

You’ll need tissue paper squares the size of an index card. I traced mine out with an actual index card, but if you own a ruler, it would be faster and more exact to use one.

You need eight pieces to make one star for this design. If applicable to the tissue paper you picked, make sure the color you want visible is facedown on your workspace. This paper is a shiny gold sheen I want to see, so I’m working with the duller side facing me. Your paper might also have creases from being folded up, as you can see from the horizontal line on the top of mine. Ignore those, they won’t be a problem when you start folding for real.

To help you visualize where you’re going to be folding, fold your rectangle down the center and unfold. You should have a clear crease running down the middle of your rectangle. This is also your chance to see how symmetrical you’ve cut your tissue paper. If the edges line up, great! If not, you can trim a bit, or embrace that this is just a fun project and keep going.

I always start with the right corner but do whatever feels comfortable to you. You want to pull the corners of the rectangle down to that center crease. (Ignore creases left from the tissue paper being previously folded up!!!)

To help you visualize where you’re going to be folding, fold your rectangle down the center and unfold. You should have a clear crease running down the middle of your rectangle. This is also your chance to see how symmetrical you’ve cut your tissue paper. If the edges line up, great! If not, you can trim a bit, or embrace that this is just a fun project and keep going.

You want to bring the opposite corner down to the crease as well. Try to match it up with the first triangle as best you can without overlapping. It should be pretty even.

Follow up with the last two corners on the bottom of your tissue paper so it looks like a 6 sided figure like this. If symmetrical, good job! If not, you can trim the paper or start over. Or you can use it because it’ll still end up being a great star even if it’s not perfect.

This will probably be the trickiest fold but don’t worry, it’s easy once you know how to use your fingers! Using either side, you’re going to take one of the corners and fold it down to that middle crease to make that sharper, longer triangle. Use both hands to help you make that sharp point at the top. I find I use my left index finger to hold down the very top part of the star while my right brings the corner down to the middle crease. It might be different for you, so don’t be afraid of some awkward looking folds until you figure out how it’s comfortable for you.

You’re going to bring the alternative corner down to the middle crease to make this diamond shape. And that’s it! Do this seven more times to have enough pieces for a star.

If you like, you can flatten your tissue paper pieces out by pressing them under something heavy. They’ll be a little easier to work with, but it’s not essential if you’re ready to see what your star looks like. You can even glue the little flaps down if you’d like.

Now that you have eight pieces, it’s time to glue them together! I like liquid glue, but I’ve used stick glue as well. (You just have to be gentle about how hard you rub the stick across the paper. Tissue paper is very delicate and you don’t want to fold or rip your pieces after working so hard to make them!

Pick one of your tissue paper pieces. To help me with spacing, I like to position the first piece with the bottom tip facing me, like in the picture. I do a very gentle dab of three dots of glue. You don’t want it to take long to dry or to drip through the paper.

I line the left triangle of the second piece with the left triangle of the first piece. Try to make it as parallel as possible. You should be overlapping the first piece with the second piece. Press them gently together so the glue sticks. Rotate the star so the second point is now vertical to you, and repeat.

You want to overlap the previous piece, and try to make the two triangles as parallel as possible. If you can still see the middle crease, you can also try to align the triangle there.

By the time you’ve glued seven pieces of your star, it should almost look complete. Glue three more dots on the seventh piece, and carefully press the eight piece over it like the others.

Very gently, you’re going to take the very first piece you started with, and gently, move it so it’s now overlapping the eight piece.

Put three glue dots on the eight piece to finish the star and THAT’S IT!!!!!

This is what the back of your star should look like. If you like, you can press it down with something heavy to help it flatten out. When it’s ready, tape it to your window to enjoy!