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You are here: Home / Crafts / How to Make Gorgeous Free Printable Map Star Decorations

How to Make Gorgeous Free Printable Map Star Decorations

4th December 2015 by Claire Armstrong 51 Comments

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Free Pattern For 3D Map star Christmas Decoration

I just love working with maps, as they are a stylish way of personalizing and adding interest to a craft. In the past I’ve used them to upcycle some chairs and to add vintage style to a suitcase. Decorating and crafting with maps is a great way to pay homage to a favorite destination or a place that you have lived.
 
 
As I am now getting well into my Christmas crafting I thought an interesting decoration to make this year would be a 3D Map Star. In this post there are two free Map star printables. A vintage world map and a blank template. The blank template enables you to use a map that is special to you for your map star decoration.
 
 
I have also discovered that this is a great teen craft. It’s one of the few crafts I’ve been doing that my teenage boys have wanted to join in with. I think it’s because it involves maps and math? .
 
 
FREE PRINTABLE 3d maps star decoration
 
 
Map Stars Free Printable
 
 
 
This post contains Amazon affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to see my disclosure policy.
 
 

What you need to make a 3D Map Star

 

  • The free templates. 3D star map template, or if using your own maps, the 3D blank star template.
  •  

  • If using your own maps you will need to scan these into your computer first, print and then use this paper to print the blank template onto. There are some lovely free downloadable maps at Pictureboxblue.com
  •  

  • Printer, heavy paper, I use paper that is 240gsm. You will need 4 sheets of A4 per star.
  •  

  • Blunt knife, scissors and ruler.
  •  

  • A strong quick drying paper glue, I used a clear UHU glue.

 
3D Map stars Template free download Pillarboxblue.com
 
 
 

How to make a 3D Map Star

  1. Print the templates onto the heavy paper. The map stars are made up of 2 shapes an icosahedron; a 20 sided base and 20 tall pyramids.
  2.  

  3. Make the icosahedron; cut out the net and score the bold lines using a blunt knife and ruler. Your shape should easily fold up into this 20 sided ball, put glue on all the tabs as you fold it into shape.
  4.  
     
    3D Map Stars free download
     
     
     

  5. You should have 3 sheets of pyramid nets, 7 on each sheet. That’s 21 pyramids in total but you only need 20.
  6.  

  7. As before cut out your pyramid nets and score the bold lines.
  8.  

  9. Fold the pyramids into shape and glue along the long tab.
  10.  

  11. Using the 3 smaller tabs on the base of the pyramid glue them one by one to the icosahedron base.
  12.  

  13. When all 20 pyramids are glued your 3D map star is finished.

 
 
3D Map Stars free download
 
 
Map Stars Free Printables
 
 
As I have already mentioned you can use the free blank star template to create a 3D Map star of your own design. Living in Bedford I decided to make a map star decoration from a local map. To do this I scanned in a local map of Bedford and then printed it out on to my heavy paper. I then put this paper back into my printers paper feed and printed the blank 3D Map Star template on top of the Bedford Map.
 
 
3D Map Star free download
 
 
Map Stars Free Printables
 
 
 
I love these 3D Map Stars they make for a great Christmas decoration, you can hang them from the ceiling with just a bit of thread and a pin. The map prints add interest to the decoration. I’m going to make some more with some old road maps I have that are the traditional Christmas colours of red, green and white for my tree.
 
 
If you liked this you should check out some of my other popular map paper crafts:
Simple Beautiful Map Roses
Personalized Treat Map Heart Bags
Map Art How to Make a Beautiful Pet Portrait.
Repurposed map decorations
 
 
Collection of map crafts and DIY's for the home.
 

Maps are a fun way to personalize and add interest to decorations. Here's a free printable and tutorial to make a fantastic 3D Map star Christmas decoration

 


 

Filed Under: Crafts, Maps, Seasonal Tagged With: 3D, 3D map star, christmas, christmas decoration, christmas star, christmas star decoration, free download, free printable, free template, map craft, map decoration, map star, maps, paper star, star template, stars, teen craft

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Liberty

    18th October 2018 at 3:25 am

    I like these a lot! They would look great using sheet music, or any number of kinds of scrapbook paper! Thanks for the idea!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      18th October 2018 at 11:21 am

      I think a sheet music star will look great.

      Reply
  2. Veronica

    22nd December 2017 at 6:59 am

    I made one! Super cute! Now I want to make one out of sheet music.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      22nd December 2017 at 8:32 am

      Thank you, I’m sure it would look lovely.

      Reply
  3. SF

    13th November 2017 at 5:21 am

    thank you so much….I’ve been looking for this all over the net. I was wondering if there is a way that this star can be illuminated?

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      13th November 2017 at 7:48 am

      You can buy some batterey operated copper string lights on Amazon which you could use to illuminate your star.

      Reply
  4. Sam - Raggedy Bits

    30th August 2017 at 4:40 am

    Love all of your map projects Claire!!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      30th August 2017 at 10:43 am

      Thank you Sam.

      Reply
  5. Sandra

    21st October 2016 at 10:04 pm

    These are unlike any ornaments I’ve seen. Thank you for sharing with us this week at Celebrate Your Story, have a great week.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      22nd October 2016 at 6:54 am

      Thank you!

      Reply
  6. Lori

    19th October 2016 at 8:56 pm

    Wow! Love this! Very cool project!

    Thank you for sharing and linking up at Dishing It & Digging It! We enjoy having you each week! 🙂

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      20th October 2016 at 6:21 am

      Thank you !

      Reply
  7. Janet Vinyard

    19th October 2016 at 3:10 pm

    Hi Claire, What a great way to use maps! I love the more colorful ones the best! Well done! Blessings, Janet

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      19th October 2016 at 7:02 pm

      Thank you, the colourful ones are my favourite too.

      Reply
  8. Helen at Pleasures of the NW

    19th October 2016 at 2:06 am

    What a great idea – looking for maps now – Thanks for sharing on the Pleasures of the NW DIY party!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      19th October 2016 at 7:55 am

      Thank you !

      Reply
  9. Debrashoppeno5

    18th October 2016 at 12:27 am

    These are fantastic. I love them for all year round in all sorts of paper. You gave such good instructions that I think I could do this.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      18th October 2016 at 6:22 am

      Thank you, yes they look great with different papers.

      Reply
  10. Claire Armstrong

    17th October 2016 at 9:45 pm

    Thank you, I love crafting with maps.

    Reply
  11. Cheryl

    17th October 2016 at 5:22 am

    Thank you so much for a template! I can imagine all types of different papers with this!!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      17th October 2016 at 6:08 am

      Thank you, you are welcome.

      Reply
  12. janet trieschman

    15th October 2016 at 5:05 pm

    I had to come visit and see how you got it to hold together. I attempted a 5 point star out of paper but had trouble with the last few seams. I see you have a center shape! Thanks for sharing with us at #CCBG

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      15th October 2016 at 6:57 pm

      Thank you.

      Reply
  13. Pamela

    15th October 2016 at 3:49 am

    I love maps too! These look great! Thanks for sharing the templates with us!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      15th October 2016 at 6:51 pm

      Thank you and your welcome

      Reply
  14. Ali B

    13th October 2016 at 4:52 pm

    I saw your project on the Creative Crafts Link Up and had to see how you made these fun stars! Love this project.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      13th October 2016 at 10:37 pm

      Thank you !

      Reply
  15. Leanna

    13th October 2016 at 3:45 pm

    This is a nifty idea. I have never thought of using old maps. They are nice for a tree because they are so 3 d.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      13th October 2016 at 10:38 pm

      Thank you very much.

      Reply
  16. Josephine

    17th December 2015 at 9:40 pm

    These are great, it really looks good. I enjoyed making it, though my fingers have stuck together – made it in lightweight paper, so not convinced the centre will hold, but may try again with something heavier. How do you have the patience?

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      17th December 2015 at 9:51 pm

      Really glad you made the stars! I used a 240gm weight paper so not quite as stiff as card but heavy enough.

      Reply
  17. Anita

    11th December 2015 at 12:56 am

    This is such an amazing idea! Thanks for sharing it. I’m Anita visiting from Creativity Unleashed.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      11th December 2015 at 7:34 am

      Cheers ! I really do like them and am experimenting with different papers.

      Reply
  18. Viv

    10th December 2015 at 9:15 pm

    These are beautiful Claire – I was looking for something just like this for our little tree! 🙂

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      10th December 2015 at 10:47 pm

      Thank you ! I’m sure they will look great on your tree.

      Reply
  19. Kristina & Millie

    10th December 2015 at 1:33 am

    I love using old maps in fun new ways and these 3-d star decorations made from maps fits the bill! Love these and appreciate the photo tute!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      10th December 2015 at 7:07 am

      Thanks ! Yeah I think old maps make a great decoration.

      Reply
  20. Rosy @ just my rosy life

    7th December 2015 at 11:10 pm

    Love these! Don’t know that I would have the patience to make them… I love decorating with maps too and in fact I wallpapered our closet turned mudroom with old atlas pages.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      8th December 2015 at 7:10 am

      Thanks ! Your mudroom sounds great with the old maps.

      Reply
  21. Audra @ Renewed Projects

    7th December 2015 at 2:39 pm

    Totally love this star! You have a lot of patience to create these.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      7th December 2015 at 3:15 pm

      Thank you, they are actually quite simple to make and fun.

      Reply
  22. Barbara viney

    5th December 2015 at 1:32 pm

    Looks good prefer the silver one

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      5th December 2015 at 3:14 pm

      Thanks you can customise them yourself by printing the blank template onto any paper you choose.

      Reply

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