How to Start Fan Making: Crafting Elegance with Every Fold

From simple folded fans to intricate wall hangings, the answer to the question ‘how do you make a paper fan’ has lots of options, but they all have one thing in common – fan making is an easy and enjoyable hobby that offers countless creative possibilities.

Welcome to the wonderful world of making fans, a delightful hobby that allows crafters to express their creativity while connecting with a rich historical tradition that stretches back thousands of years.

So whether you want to keep cool at a summer picnic or you’re looking for a charming and unique gift for someone special, fan making is an opportunity to express your artistic flair in a delightful and practical way.

The story of fan making dates back to ancient times. The Egyptians were making fans from at least 2000 BC. Indeed, the tomb of the most famous pharaoh of all, Tutenkhamun, who died in approximately 1323 BC, contained two beautifully intricate fans.

The ancient Greeks used fans to keep the flames of their ovens alive as well as for ceremonial and cooling purposes, and in Europe from around the sixth century, hand fans were used to drive insects away from consecrated bread and wine in church.

The most popular type of fan – the folding fan – is believed to have originated in Japan, later spreading to China and eventually making its way to Europe around the late fifteenth or early sixteenth century. During the Renaissance, finely crafted silk fans adorned with paintings, embroidery, and lacework became prized accessories among the royalty and the nobility.

In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the art of how to make a hand fan got more industrialised and they became more accessible to the wider public, as well as becoming popular with flamenco dancers in Spain.

As a purely creative art, fan making has dipped in and out of fashion over the years, but it’s seen something of a resurgence in popularity in recent times, especially through social media. So without further ado, let’s find out how to make a paper hand fan.

One of the greatest benefits of knowing how to make a fan from paper is its accessibility and affordability. Using basic materials like colourful paper, cardstock, craft sticks and decorative embellishments, you can create stunning fans that are both functional and artistic.

The simplicity of the folding technique means that crafters of all skill levels can join in the fun, while the endless design possibilities – from vibrant patterns to elegant motifs – guarantees you’ll never run out of ideas. So how do you make a paper fan, and what tools do you need? It’s a breeze, so let’s unfold the secrets of fan making!

If you want to know how to make a hand fan, it’s actually really simple and you don’t need anything fancy or expensive. At the most basic level, all you need is a sheet of sturdy paper, like construction paper or decorative cardstock. A ruler and pencil are helpful for making even folds, but younger children can eyeball their folds if they prefer a more organic, handcrafted look. If you’d like to add a little more structure, a simple wooden stick or two – such as craft or lolly sticks or even chopsticks – can be used as a handle once the paper has been folded.

Beyond that, scissors can come in handy if you want to trim your fan into particular shapes or experiment with decorative edging. Glue, tape, or a stapler will help secure the paper folds at the base so the fan doesn’t unravel, and lastly, if you’re feeling creative, markers, crayons, stickers, or small decorative elements can be used to embellish your finished fan. If you’re drawing or painting on the paper, this can be done before you start folding but make sure everything is dry before you start the pleats.

With these tools at hand, you can easily create beautiful folded paper fans that not only keep you cool but are also wonderful decorations or gifts. Fan making fosters creativity and fine motor skills, making it a perfect project for a fun afternoon!

To get you started, here’s a basic guide to making a simple folded paper fan. Feel free to add your personal touches wherever you like! Remember, if you’re crafting with children, supervise the use of scissors and glue.

Prepare the Paper
If it isn’t already, start by cutting your paper into a rectangle. A4 paper works well, but you can use whatever size you like based on how big you want your fan to be.

Mark the Folds
Use a ruler to measure and lightly mark lines along the length of the paper at around one inch (2.5cm) intervals. These marks will serve as guides for your folds. As we said earlier, you can judge the folds by eye if you’d prefer, just as long as they’re broadly the same size.

Fold the Paper
Begin folding the paper accordion-style along the marked lines. Start at one end, fold the paper over to create a crease, then flip it over and fold again. Continue this process until you reach the other end of the paper, ensuring each fold is crisp.

Secure the Base
Once all folds are made, pinch the bottom of the fan together tightly. You can use a small piece of tape or glue, or even a little bulldog clip to secure it if needed.

Add Handles
You don’t have to, but if you want to add handles, take two craft sticks or chop sticks and glue them on either side of the base of your fan for added support and ease of use.

Decorate
If you want to draw or paint on the pre-folded paper of the card, that’s absolutely fine. Otherwise, you can personalise your fan by decorating it with markers, stickers, additional cutouts, or even small beads, pieces of lace, or anything you want to make it unique.

That’s it! That’s your ‘how to make a paper hand fan’ step-by-step guide!

From dainty handheld fans perfect for garden parties to elegant wall hangings or bridal accessories, the range you can produce when you’re learning how to make a fan from paper is limited only by your imagination. And as you learn to shape each fold, choose the right materials, and embellish with pens, paint, beads or ribbons, you’ll soon discover that this time-honored practice is as enjoyable as it is beautiful. Happy crafting!