Iris folding is a paper craft technique that involves folding strips of colored paper in such a way to form a design. The center of the design forms an ''iris''—a shape reminiscent of the
iris diaphragm
In optics, a diaphragm is a thin opaque structure with an opening (aperture) at its center. The role of the diaphragm is to ''stop'' the passage of light, except for the light passing through the ''aperture''. Thus it is also called a stop (an a ...
of a
camera lens
A camera lens, photographic lens or photographic objective is an optical lens (optics), lens or assembly of lenses (compound lens) used in conjunction with a camera body and mechanism to Imaging, make images of objects either on photographic film ...
.
History
Iris folding originated in 20th-century Holland, where early craft people made their designs using patterned paper cut from the inside of envelopes.
Techniques
Iris folding is done with a
pattern
A pattern is a regularity in the world, in human-made design, or in abstract ideas. As such, the elements of a pattern repeat in a predictable manner. A geometric pattern is a kind of pattern formed of geometric shapes and typically repeated l ...
. The crafter uses the finished product to decorate the front of a
greeting card
A greeting card is a piece of card stock, usually with an illustration or photo, made of high quality paper featuring an expression of friendship or other sentiment. Although greeting cards are usually given on special occasions such as birthday ...
, as a scrapbook embellishment, to decor a pattern, strips of colored paper, permanent transparent tape, cutting tools and a temporary tape such as painters tape. The temporary tape is used to hold the pattern in place while the craftsperson creates the design.
Iris folding patterns are available from booksellers or as downloadable files made available on Internet web sites. Other craft persons doing iris folding create their own patterns.
Further reading
*
*
* (the paper describes an interactive computational tool to assist in the design and construction of original iris folding patterns).
External sources
Iris Folding @ Circle of CraftersExplanation of iris folding, free patterns, techniques, pictures and a member forum.
Video Demonstration of Iris FoldingDiscussion of iris folding and video demonstration showing how to do this paper craft technique
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Paper folding