Every Christmas I hang giant velvet baubles from the picture rails on the walls in my lounge. This year I thought I would mix it up a bit by learning how to make paper stars to hang on the walls and doors.
I wanted to make paper stars of different sizes and textures that’s when I got the idea to repurpose some embossed wallpaper (Anaglypta) to make the stars with.
The textured wallpaper was perfect as it was thick and the variations of the embossed pattern really gave the hanging paper stars character.
The embossed pattern on the wallpaper was based on a Victorian tile. The pattern is called Turner Tile and it gives the large hanging paper stars a vintage look. As I live in a Victorian house this was a perfect match.
These large wallpaper stars are a very affordable Christmas decoration. Plain white textured wallpaper tends to be very cheap and you can get a lot of big paper stars from one roll.
I know it’s a bit cheeky but many DIY/home stores let you take home wallpaper samples for free. That way you could make paper stars in lots of different textured patterns for free.
Not only with this post do I show you how to make paper stars but I also show how to make twine from fabric scraps.
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What You Need
- Textured wallpaper – so many designs to choose from, just choose the one you fancy. Or pick up a collection of free samples from your local store.
- Scraps of red fabric in long strips. I used some old red scarves.
- Sewing machine or glue
How To Make Paper Stars To Hang
1. Firstly, make some star shaped templates. Either search the internet for a five star shape and print it. Or draw your own and cut it out.I wanted to make extra-large hanging paper stars. I had to draw my five-point stars out on paper as I couldn’t print them large enough.
2. Place the paper stars template onto the back of the textured wallpaper. Draw around the star and then cut out the shape. You will need 2 identical wallpaper stars for each hanging star.
3. Next, make paper stars by stitching them wrong sides together. So that the textured wallpaper is visible on both sides. On the sewing machine stitch a simple running stitch all around the stars, about 5mm from the edge.
Don’t fret if you don’t have a sewing machine or hate sewing, you can simply glue the 2 sides of the stars together.
Personally, though one of my favourite crafts to do is to sew paper on a sewing machine. If you’ve never tried it, I recommend you give it ago.
4. Carry on making textured wallpaper stars in a variety of sizes.
5. Next, make the fabric twine to hang the stars from. To do this get two long strips of scrap red fabric about 1 inch in width.
Twist one strip away from you for a few turns. Then wrap it around the other fabric strip. Now twist the second fabric strip away for a few turns before wrapping it around the first strip. Carry on twisting the strips of fabric together until you have fabric twine long enough for your hanging stars.
I know this sounds very complicated but believe me it is so easy, you are best watching this YouTube video here. The video shows it so much better than I could ever explain.
How To Make Paper Stars Hanging
6. To make the stars hang simply cut the twine to the length you want. Then, using a hot glue gun, glue it to the back of the star. Make sure you attach the twine at the top point of the star.
I used drawing pins to hang the paper stars from both my doors and walls.
Don’t throw away the scraps of wallpaper from this craft you can use them to make a gorgeous crafty angel wing garland.
How To Make Paper Stars Wall Decoration
These gorgeous handmade paper stars make for a wonderful and unique Christmas decoration. Hang them from your walls and doors and make them in a variety of sizes.
Materials
- 1. Textured wallpaper such as Anaglypta
- 2. Fabric scraps
Tools
- Sewing machine or glue
- Hot glue gun
Instructions
- Make templates for a series of 5 point stars in various sizes.
- Use the templates to cut out stars from the textured wallpaper.
- Stitch two wallpaper stars wrong sides together.
- Use fabric scraps to make some thick fabric twine.
- Glue the twine to the back of the stars and hang using a drawing pin.
If you love decorating your home with stars then check out these other star posts.
If you are looking for more thrifty Christmas DIY’s visit here.
Barb
Very sweet and lots of good instructions. Thank you!
And, I just happen to have a roll of white embossed wallpaper. 🙂
Blessings Barb
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, have fun making them. They are such an easy but impactful Christmas decorations.
Shirley
These are lovely! I think I have 40 rolls of the Anaglypta wallpaper I bought for a ceiling project and never used. I have no idea what I will ever do with them so this is a very cool idea.
Your fabric twine is awesome! I just watched the video and I think I could sit for hours doing those, especially with winter ahead of us. I don’t know though, I have a lot on my plate right now so hopefully I can get some made over the coming months.
Claire Armstrong
Wow that’s a lot of wallpaper! Have fun making the stars and twine.
Barb
Maybe you could do a class on making them to use some of your paper. 🙂
Peg
yippee!!!! I have a roll of this from long ago, Doing ASAP~ what a sweet idea.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, they are fun to make.
Marie
What a great idea using textured wallpaper – they are so pretty!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much 😊
creativejewishmom/sara
Love these stars, claire, so lovely and simple! good for you getting a serious head start on holiday crafting! thanks as always for sharing on craft schooling sunday!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, Sara. So much holiday crafting to do I have to start early.
Cecilia
Claire, I love the texture the wallpaper adds! Great too about free samples, too! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, I think the texture is what makes them special.
Audra @ Renewed Projects
Stitching the stars together adds a nice finishing touch. I think they’d look very plain without the stitching on the edges. Very pretty stars!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you and stitching paper is fun.
Michele Michael
You are my Jam. I have this wallpaper and I have the custom braided rope. Thanks for posting at Funtastic Friday each week. I will be showcasing on my FB page and pinning.
Claire Armstrong
Ahh thank you so much Michele, I will look out for it.
Lirtea
Me gustan las estrellas, son preciosas¡¡
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much.
Kim @Serving Up Southern
H Claire!
This is such a fun project. I love the textured wallpaper. You brought back a sweet memory – I have seen my grandma sew paper. She would make patterns for various sewing jobs and would make them two or three-ply. She would sew the layers together to reinforce her pattern. 🙂 Thanks for sharing at Homestyle Gathering!
>>> Kim
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much. Yes sewing paper is really satisfying and surprisingly easy.
Michelle Leslie
Love it Claire and that wallpaper is gorgeous. Seeing it in a star shape makes you appreciate the pattern and texture so much more
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, it’s a fun way to use textured wallpaper.