How to Make Gorgeous Free Printable Map Star Decorations

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? .
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
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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.

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. 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.

 
 

 
 
 

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

 

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

 

5. Fold the pyramids into shape and glue along the long tab.

 

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

 

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

 
 

 
 

 
 
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.
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
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